Eric Dewit — or Ricky Sweet Tooth, to his friends — cuts up samples of his new pistachio chocolate shipment at Steinhouse with one goal in mind: to bring joy to his customers.

The chocolate shop in downtown Santa Rosa is tucked into a hallway connecting Fourth and Fifth streets. When customers walk in, they are greeted by a selection of Belgian chocolates, memorabilia that stretches to the ceiling and Dewit’s lively personality.

“Some people just come here, they say sometimes they can maybe find (chocolate) at a normal store … but they come here because they like my personality,” Dewit said.

Dewit visits his hallway neighbors often, including hair salon owner Jesica Dorsett, as he drops off samples.

“He’s amazing. He comes in here every day, he says hi to me and my clients. I’m sure he talked to everyone in this hallway. You just talk to him and you’re usually just friends with him right away,” she said.

Dorsett said she originally met Dewit when she and her husband visited the shop. She said her husband bonded with him over vintage cars and she loved the large selection of chocolate and specialty items.

“You can literally find a gift there for anybody,” Dorsett said. “He’s very passionate about what he does and all the stuff he brings into his place.”

Steinhouse is stocked with a variety of European chocolates but Dewit, who grew up in Brussels, Belgium, specializes in Belgian chocolate.

In addition to chocolate, Dewit also stocks fudges, caramels, jams and condiments such as French mustard. He said he also tries to stock locally made chocolates, honey and olive oils. The chocolates range from $7.99 for a small bar to $39.99 for chocolate truffles box that can be paired with wine.

“If it wasn’t for the locals, I couldn’t survive here,” Dewit said. “I try always to please them, whatever they need.”

A carpenter by trade, Dewit worked in the Brussels factory of chocolate maker Côte d’Or as a teen. He relocated to Marin County 35 years ago where he worked as a contractor. Many of the fixtures you see in his shop were crafted by his own hands.

Dewit moved from Marin County to Mendocino County where he ran his own chocolate shop for two years. After a move back to Marin County, he relocated to Santa Rosa nine years ago.

In April 2023, Dewit opened Steinhouse in downtown Santa Rosa with the intention of giving out samples of Belgian beers. After complications with the health department and his beer vendors, he decided to give running a chocolate shop another shot.

One of Dewit’s favorite aspects of the business is engaging with his customers — answering questions about his chocolate selections or the vintage car parts adorning the walls, some of which came from his old Mustang. He said he is always looking to improve and wants to stock the store with what makes people happy.

“All I want is for people to come visit me … they don’t have to buy anything, just they’re welcome anytime,” Dewit said, while mentioning that browsers who do stop by intending just to look “still buy something to support the business.”

In the future, Dewit said he wants to teach people how to make hot chocolate, and some have suggested he start a chocolate club. Although many people have requested Dewit open another chocolate shop elsewhere in the county, he has no plans to expand just yet.

“I don’t want 10 shops — it’s me. People come also for me — they want Eric because I’m an entertainer,” Dewit said.

You can reach Staff Writer Melanie Nguyen at 707-521-5457 or melanie.nguyen@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @mellybelly119.

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