Marcie Blaine
A lesbian-owned artisanal chocolatier tucked inside the Verde boutique on 13th Street, Marcie Blaine Artisanal Chocolates is Chef Marcie Turney’s signature line of hand-crafted, hand-painted confections — made in a small open kitchen at the back of the shop using organic cream and butter from Lancaster County farms. The chocolates have been praised by Oprah Magazine, Food Network, and Philadelphia Magazine, and they’re one of the most distinctive gifts you can pick up in Center City.
The Chocolates
Every Marcie Blaine chocolate is handmade in a small open kitchen at the back of Verde, where customers can watch the chocolatiers at work through a dedicated viewing window. Turney sources organic cream, butter, and honey from Lancaster County farms along with seasonal produce and herbs from nearby growers. The flavor library draws directly from her restaurant menus — Mediterranean spices from Barbuzzo, Mexican notes from Lolita, and the kind of unexpected combinations (smoked bacon, blood orange) that have earned the line coverage in national publications. Oprah Magazine praised the “delicious” combinations as “inspired by global cuisine,” and the confections have been featured on the Food Network.
Where to Find It
Marcie Blaine is sold exclusively at Verde, the lifestyle and gift boutique at 108 South 13th Street that Turney and Safran co-own. The chocolates are shelved alongside jewelry, home goods, and accessories, making the shop a one-stop destination for gifts. Signature Collection and Philadelphia Series boxes start at $22 and can be ordered online through Verde’s website for local pickup or shipping. Custom orders and corporate gifting are available for weddings, events, and holiday gifts.
The Team Behind Marcie Blaine
Chef Marcie Turney and her wife Valerie Safran are the husband-and-wife — technically wife-and-wife — team behind Safran Turney Hospitality, the restaurant and retail group that single-handedly transformed 13th Street from Center City’s red-light district into Midtown Village. The couple opened their first business, Open House, on 13th Street in 2002, when the block was largely avoided after dark. Over the following two decades, they opened Lolita (modern Mexican), Barbuzzo (Mediterranean, a James Beard Award nominee), Little Nonna’s (Italian), Bud & Marilyn’s (American), Jamonera (Spanish tapas), and most recently Darling Jack’s Tavern — along with the Verde and Open House boutiques. Marcie Blaine Artisanal Chocolates launched inside Verde as Turney’s personal project and signature product line, named using her full name, Marcie Blaine Turney.
Location and Neighborhood
Verde — and Marcie Blaine — sit at 108 South 13th Street, in the heart of Midtown Village, a five-minute walk from every major Gayborhood venue including Woody’s, Tavern on Camac, 254, and Knock. The shop is surrounded by Safran Turney’s own restaurants (Barbuzzo is next door), making this specific block one of the highest-concentration dining stretches in Philadelphia. The 13th Street SEPTA station is one block away. Shop hours are Monday–Wednesday 11 AM–7 PM, Thursday–Saturday 11 AM–8 PM, and Sunday 12 PM–6 PM.
