CocoaTown chocolate machines featuring a melanger, manual cracker, and winnower
In-person at MODA
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About the Event:
Join us at MODA for an evening of discovery, design, and deliciousness. At Business X Design with CocoaTown, you’ll meet the makers behind CocoaTown, an Alpharetta-based company whose accessible, thoughtfully engineered machines have helped launch bean-to-bar chocolate businesses in more than 100 countries.
Learn how CocoaTown’s design-driven tools—like roasters, winnowers, melangers, and grinders—are reshaping the craft chocolate industry, and see them in action during a live demonstration.
What to Expect:
Arrive by 5:30 to immerse yourself in the exhibition BITTERSWEET: The Design of Chocolate, where you can reflect on the cultural narratives behind chocolate production.
At 6 PM, MODA’s exhibition designer, Susan Sanders, will lead a conversation with CocoaTown about how they designed their chocolate-making machines, how these tools are transforming the craft chocolate industry, and why it matters that more cacao-growing communities can profit by making chocolate, not just growing the beans.
After the discussion, enjoy a glass of wine or prosecco as CocoaTown demos the specialized machinery they developed to transform cacao into chocolate, which is being used across the globe.
Enjoy a tasting curated by MODA, featuring three selections from local bean-to-bar chocolatiers, Xocolatl.
Connect with fellow chocolate enthusiasts, support local enterprises, and engage in meaningful conversations about the artistry, ethics, and impact of design in the chocolate-making process.
About CocoaTown
CocoaTown, based just outside the city in Alpharetta, is one of the most influential—though you might not see their name on a chocolate bar. CocoaTown is a woman- and immigrant-owned company that builds the machines behind the craft chocolate movement. Their roasters, grinders, winnowers, and melangers are used in more than 100 countries, making it possible for small- and medium-sized chocolate makers to produce high-quality bars without industrial-scale equipment. The company started in an unexpected way. Founders Andal and Dr. M. Balu, a botanist and a chemist, began by importing wet grinders for South Indian cooking. But when customers began using the machines to grind cacao, they saw an opportunity—and adapted the equipment to meet the specific needs of chocolate makers. They provide training, education, and mentorship—especially to women and growers in cacao-producing countries. Their work empowers people to build businesses, create new products, and take part in reshaping the global chocolate supply chain.
Registration: $25 | $15 for MODA Members
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Add a Donation, Share Design. When you add a $10 donation to your purchase, you provide a free ticket to someone for whom cost is a barrier to visiting MODA.
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The Museum of Design Atlanta is conveniently located in the Midtown Arts District, right across the street from the Woodruff Arts Center at 1315 Peachtree St. NE Atlanta, GA 30309.
MODA is located on the ground floor of the 1315 Peachtree Building. The building is a mix use site and is shared by MODA, the Peachtree Public Library, and Perkins+Will.
MODA resides on the land of the Mvskoke (Muscogee / Creek) people.
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Parking
MODA does not offer designated parking. There are public parking lots located in the Midtown Arts district, as well as metered parking available along Peachtree St NE. The paid Lanier parking deck at 1337 Peachtree St NE is the closest deck within walking distance of the museum.
Bike Riders
For visitors traveling by bike, there are plenty of bike racks conveniently located around MODA! You can find them along Peachtree Street, including right outside of MODA, and at the Arts Center MARTA Station. Don’t forget to bring a lock!
Marta
If visiting by train, take the North or South rail line to the Arts Center MARTA Station (N5), located directly behind the Woodruff Arts Center (accessible). Exit the Arts Center Station at the top level by the Peachtree Street exit. You will be behind the Woodruff Arts Center. MODA is located directly across the street from the Woodruff Arts Center. Use the cross-walk at the intersection of 16th and Peachtree to reach our building.
For more information on MARTA schedules, maps, and connections from other transit providers, please visit the MARTA website.
We offer a 20% discount on museum admission for patrons who used public transportation to get to MODA! (DOES NOT APPLY TO SUNDAY FUNDAY SPECIAL RATE)
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MODA reserves the right to cancel a program if the minimum enrollment requirements are not met, but don't worry: should MODA have to cancel, we will gladly issue a full refund to all registrants. If you need to cancel your plans for any reason, we kindly request that you notify us at least 7 days prior to the event start. By doing so, we can process a refund for the ticket cost (minus a small $10 processing fee per class). Unfortunately, we cannot provide refunds for cancellations made less than 7 days before an event.
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Designers with different styles of learning or special needs are welcome in MODA public programs. We will be able to most effectively help everyone learn and enjoy this experience if we know about those needs in advance of the program. Please email miranda@museumofdesign.org with questions or information.
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Pictures and videos will be captured during MODA public programs and may be published on the official website, social media, and newsletters of the Museum of Design Atlanta. If you do not wish to appear on these platforms, please write to felicia@museumofdesign.org.
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Email Felicia at felicia@museumofdesign.org with any questions.
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