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Main Street Chocolates will officially open in Gallatin in the old Farmers Exchange Bank building at 125 North Main on Sept. 13, during Chautauqua festivities.

The iconic dome-capped building was built in 1897 and is going through some major renovations, according to Marilyn Demke, one of the owners. It is being gutted the next couple of weeks; plumbing and electrical work will come next; and then it will need to be inspected and certified as operational in time for open house this Fall.

"I first saw the building in 2003, and fell in love with it," said Marilyn. "I knew if the opportunity arose we would get it, and seven years later we got it. No matter what we have to put into it, the building will be restored. We won’t stop until we see it come alive again."

Marilyn said her family is originally from Texas and have lived in Gallatin for a year. They own an online business, earcandles.net. That mainstay company pays the bills.

The renovated building will house several different businesses.

Marilyn’s daughter, Annamieka Lucas, is the brainchild for the chocolate creations of Main Street Chocolates which will be housed in the first floor of the building and will be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday. The menu will include Hawaiian shaved ice; soda beverages, Shatto milk; and all-things chocolate, like dipped Oreos, chocolate dipped Nutter Butter cookies, chocolate dipped rice crispie treats, pretzels, truffles, cherries, strawberries, and flavored chocolate, like hazelnut, peppermint, and much, much more. Later will be added fresh smoothies and sugar free/lactose free chocolate.

The "happy hour" chocolate bar will be open each Thursday from 4-8 p.m. Fountains will be flowing in white, milk and dark chocolate with an array of fruits, vegetables, and pastries to dip into your favorite chocolate. With a reservation, you can have your own table fondue and goodies - during regular operating hours.

Annamieka’s husband Chris Lucas will host a Halloween house in the sprawling 12,000 feet building sometime in October. Chris has been doing haunted houses for eight years for the parks department in the city of Watauga, Texas, near Fort Worth. Proceeds will go to benefit the epilepsy foundation.

Grant Demke, Marilyn’s son, is overseeing the construction work on the building. Another son, Lorne Demke, a junior at Gallatin, will be the "shaved ice guy." You will be seeing him around town in a portable ice station.

An eatery serving breakfast, lunch and dinner is also planned. A bed-and-breakfast is projected for the Spring of 2014.

For more information visit the website at http://www.missouriscents.com/mainstreet.