Writing a bio about JoMart Chocolates is one and the same as an introduction to our family. With that, Hi, we're the Rogak family and we are JoMart.

JoMart Chocolates is the 3rd generation candy shop in the Rogak Family. Our original roots started with Julius Rogak, making penny candy at Newport Candy Company, in Brooklyn, NY.

When his son got home from WWII, Martin Rogak, after working with his dad, decided to take a leap and open his own chocolate shop along with his cousin Joe (JoMart, get it?). On April 15, 1946, the doors to our first shop opened, surrounded by six well-known confectionery shops in Brooklyn. In addition to sweet shops, there was an abundance of appetizing stores selling nuts, fruits and candies. The presence of so much competition should have sent him to another location. In fact that was the reason Martin and Joe picked that location. It was a simple, brilliant plan. People from all over New York would come to Franklin Ave to buy chocolates and other confections. He would make it fresher and better than all of them. Almost 80 years have passed and those other shops are long gone, but our mission hasn’t changed - using the best and most simple ingredients to create delicious confections for everyone.

Martin believed that using equipment that lasts and ingredients you can trust were the key to creating the perfect confection. To this day, Michael is using the same stove and copper kettles to make fresh chocolates and confections.

Our Family

Joe worked with Martin for a short time, but Martin continued on, decade after decade. He was joined by his wife, Esther Rogak, and his kids Cheryl and Michael Rogak. They all found their roles and places within the factory.

In the 1970s, Michael joined his dad working side by side and became a full time candy maker and chocolatier. When Michael asked his dad why he went into the candy business, he assumed it was because his dad was also a candymaker. He was wrong, his dad shared that after World War II the memories of so much pain and suffering were fresh in everyone’s mind. He wanted to be in a business that catered to celebrating the good things in life.

That message has resonated with Michael and our entire family and is the throughline in our world. The world is constantly changing, but just as there will always be pain and tragedy, there is always a reason to celebrate. We want to be the people who help you celebrate. Birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, and holidays are still shared by families and friends the world over. There are families that have shopped at JoMart for 3 or more generations. Our chocolate continues to be enjoyed at their special occasions.

After their first daughter, Marissa was born, his wife, Debbi joined Michael at the factory. Fifty years later, you’ll still find Michael and Debbi and their daughters Marissa and Lauren behind the counter. If you’re lucky you may get to see one of their four grandsons, Jake, Cole, Elliott and Ezra, “not” running around. Scores of Rogak cousins come through and help out whenever they can, and it’s always the best to be surrounded by so much family.

Beyond the Rogak’s, our JoMart family is just as crucial, we don’t usually have people work with us for a few years. Rose is Michael’s right hand and has probably dipped every piece of dark chocolate you’ve ever had. After coming in part-time for a temporary job, 40 years later, Rose just can’t quit us! Linda, Jeanne, Jaslin, Elena, Emily, Sandy, Sophie and more - some have been here for decades and some more recent. Nonetheless each member of our collective family is what keeps us going!

Read a note from our very own Michael Rogak, our chief chocolatier, candy maker and the brains behind JoMart