Whetstone honored with Governor’s Business Ambassador Award

Historic City News attended this morning’s meeting of the Florida Cabinet, but not in Tallahassee. Attorney General Pam Bondi, Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater, Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam, and Florida Governor Rick Scott, traveled to St Augustine for a special meeting today that included several stops to recognize the accomplishments of St Augustine residents and business owners.

In a special presentation at the start of the meeting, Scott conferred the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award on Virginia Whetstone Maguire, president of the famous local chocolate company that bears her family’s name.

“Whetstone Chocolates was born and raised in Florida, and we are excited for the opportunity to share our incredible success story with our visitors,” Virginia Whetstone told members of the audience. “Over the past 50 years, we’ve become a staple in the Saint Augustine community, and we look forward to introducing many more families and visitors to the Whetstone Chocolate experience.”

Virginia’s parents started Whetstone Chocolates after recognizing a demand from tourists and residents for quality ice cream in the St. Augustine community. Operating solely out of their family kitchen each night, the product was so successful that they opened their first store in 1966.

Adding home-made fudge to their product line allowed them to expand their kitchen to a larger facility. They opened their first factory in St Augustine in the 1970’s.

“On behalf of the entire Whetstone Chocolates team, I am honored to accept the Governor’s Business Ambassador Award today,” Whetstone said. The present Whetstone Chocolate Factory on King Street has become a major attraction for tourists and local residents.