Chocolate Bar Expands To The State Of Qatar

Alison Nelson's Chocolate Bar, New York City's candy store for grown-ups offering cosmopolitan luxury through old-fashioned collections and unique inspirations announced today that the company has reached a partnership deal to expand the brand to the State of Qatar through a partnership with Hospitality Development Company (HDC). The 12 year deal could bring numerous Alison Nelson Chocolate Bars to the Middle East region. The first location is due to open in the luxurious offshore, Riviera-style man-made island The Pearl-Qatar, which cost more than Qatari Riyal 50 billion (US$14 billion) and is one of the largest urban developments in Qatar, and the first to offer freehold and residential rights to international investors. The Pearl-Qatar's name and location, on a former pearl diving site, highlights the country's traditions, and strong historical and cultural ties to the sea. The rediscovered island is located 350 meters offshore from the prestigious West Bay District of the country's capital, Doha, . Situated 25 kilometers away from Doha International Airport, the Island offers an exclusive retreat with easy access to the capital's thriving community. Spanning over approximately 4-million square meters of land and 32 kilometers of new coastline, the Island, when completed in 2012, will eventually be home to an upscale multicultural community of over 41,000 residents, comprising 15,000 dwellings within 10 precincts. The Island will include five-star hotels, marinas, a yacht club, schools, restaurants and lifestyle amenities, and two million square feet of upscale retail space proffering some of the world's most renowned luxury brands. The Pearl-Qatar is a smart investment that adds to the economic strength of the country with its offerings of full residency rights, freehold ownership, tailored payment schemes and a tax-free haven. The Pearl-Qatar is being developed and promoted by United Development Company (UDC), one of Qatar's leading private sector shareholding companies. For more information visit www.thepearlqatar.com

"We are very pleased to announce our partnership with Alison Nelson's Chocolate Bar to develop the brand in Qatar and the region. We are thrilled to introduce this highly creative brand to the market. We believe that CBNYC is one of the most successful young brands that is effectively creating bridges between a fascinating product - chocolate - and the fashion and lifestyle industries. As such, we see tremendous growth potential in developing the brand and look forward to an exciting adventure with Chocolate Bar." states Walid Maalouf, General Manager, Hospitality Development Company.

"The exciting thing about launching in these vibrant new markets is the opportunity to introduce our chocolate products to new consumer while at the same time creating original items influenced by that customers culture. The store itself, the gift items and our ongoing desire to experiment with how chocolate fits into people's lives is what keeps Chocolate Bar moving forward. Chocolate Bar has never been just a store. It's your neighborhood place, and it keeps evolving with quality and taste as our basic guiding principles." states Chocolate Bar Founding Owner, Alison Nelson