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NORTON -- Find Finding a good chocolate, you might say, is like selecting a fine wine -- the best way to pick a favorite is to taste them all and let your tongue decide.

At least that's the philosophy at the Chocolate Shop, a small operation bursting with fine milk, dark and white chocolates that specializes in all natural concoctions and believes in heavy sampling to find the perfect confection.

`` Everything has undertones, it took us a long time to find out what everyone likes,'' said Pam Kanellias, who owns and runs the shop with her husband, Peter. `` We haven't even tried everything we like.''

Located in the couple's renovated garage on Mansfield Avenue, the Chocolate Shop opened in September and thrived during its first holiday season.

Now, gearing up for Valentine's Day, the Kanellias' are continuing to perfect the sweets and planning for an eventual expansion. The partnership was a match made in chocolate -- and business -- heaven.

The Kanellias met in culinary school, where both were taking weekend classes while working full-time jobs in other fields.

Peter Kanellias jokes it took him until the last day of class to ask Pam out, but as soon as they started dating the couple began talk of one day owning and running their own restaurant or shop.

`` We always knew. We'd go on dates to shops and see what (we liked),'' Pam Kanellias said. `` It's been a lot of fun.''

They recently celebrated their 11th wedding anniversary.

The pair have been able to draw on their backgrounds -- Peter, who grew up helping in his family's small business, for years was a restaurant manager. Pam also worked in restaurants after earning a degree in food management.

It was her study with famed Swiss chocolate artist Edwald Notter that really interested her. Wedding cakes were her first foray into decorative baking, but the vision of a small, family-run business always was with her.

The couple purchased their Mansfield Avenue home four years ago with the intention of renovating the garage, and they labored over most of the redesign work, which took two years.

`` She had the foresight,'' Peter said of his wife's plans. `` Our family was a bit skeptical, but everyone has been really supportive.''

Including their two children, ages 8 and 10. It must help, the couple said, that the kids are allowed to sneak a piece now and then. But mom and dad feel more than comfortable allowing them sweets, in favor of other snack foods, because they know exactly what's in them.

The Chocolate Shop's sweets do not contain any unnatural preservatives, extra sugar or artificial colors -- and every creation is made on site.

`` We're keeping everything fresh,'' Peter said. `` We're adding diversity, but keeping the batches small.''

So far, they've had a huge response to their cherry cordials, which are made with real liqueur, nougats, dark truffles, English toffee and home-roasted cashews.

Working on new creations for Valentine's Day, the couple said they plan to keep the shop chocolate focused. There are hand-decorated lollipops, chocolate covered pretzels and gift boxes, but customers likely won't find any knick-knack type gifts.

Pam and Peter are especially proud of their fruit creations, including candied oranges, but admit the heavy sampling they do themselves often yields a new favorite.

Pam said she'll keep trying whatever comes to mind.

`` I've never met a chocolate I didn't like,'' she said.

The Chocolate Shop is located at 114 Mansfield Ave., Norton. 508-285-8800.