Our Founder
Minnesota native Dwight Barnes loved chocolate. A photographer by trade, at age 55 he started his second career as a chocolatier. Despite his fame as a photographer and artist, making chocolate was always on his mind. This led him to Antwerp, Belgium, where he befriended world-famous Chocolatier, Hans Burie.
He convinced Mr. Burie to teach him the secrets to making the finest Belgian chocolates.
His apprenticeship over, Dwight Barnes returned home to begin making chocolate on his own. He quickly became a regional icon, drawing visitors eager to see —and taste —his masterpieces. People were hooked, and, in 1987, in Willmar, Minnesota, Mr. B's CHOCOLATE was born.
In 2017, Mr. B’s CHOCOLATE welcomed a new owner, Brian Bollig, who brought his own passion for chocolate and a commitment to share Mr. B’s CHOCOLATE with chocolate lovers near and far. Brian is a successful entrepreneur who loves his family and small-town living. After a few chocolate-making years and some exciting new handcrafted chocolate creations under his belt, Brian is honored to be part of the Willmar community and share the traditions of this family-owned business across the USA.
The result is a business that continues to faithfully serve the community that gave it its start while embracing opportunities to evolve and grow.
It’s a sweet combination that makes for an even sweeter place to shop.