Loïc Sailler-Berthaz, a 26-year-old chocolatier and pastry chef, has opened his own chocolate shop in the northern quarters of Marseille. The shop, named Maison Sailler-Berthaz, officially launched on March 25, 2026, and is located in an atelier in the La Cabucelle neighborhood. The atelier, provided by Le Carburateur, a local organization that supports young entrepreneurs, includes a 25 square meter production space and a 6 square meter storage area. According to Muriel Bernard-Reymond, director of Le Carburateur, the monthly rent is 410 euros for smaller ateliers and 815 euros for larger ones. Starting Maison Sailler-Berthaz required a total budget of around 50,000 euros, which Loïc covered through personal investment, two loans from Bpifrance, a zero-interest loan from Initiative, a bank loan, and a leasing arrangement for a chocolate machine. Loïc works with a couverturier, a professional who produces raw chocolate that he then transforms into products like spreads, pralines, chocolate bars, marshmallows, and crunchy cereals. His main supplier is Felchlin, a Swiss company, but he also uses local and French ingredients, such as almonds from La Crau and Brignoles, hazelnuts from Grenoble and the Lot-et-Garonne region, candied fruits from Aubagne, sea salt from Aigues-Mortes, and coffee from Tanat, a French roastery. Recently, Loïc chose a new couverturier from Costa Rica, Xoco, which uses two types of 80% cocoa beans—one robust and the other fruity, with flavors resembling mandarin and papaya. His product range is intentionally limited, with prices ranging from 9 to 14 euros, including spreads at 12.80 euros. The business currently operates mainly through BtoB events, supplying fine food shops and cafes in the Aixois region, with a focus on expanding its network of resellers in Marseille. For the first year, Loïc is relying heavily on the Christmas season, which typically accounts for 40% of annual sales. He hopes it will represent nearly 60% of his first year's revenue. Looking ahead, he plans to hire apprentices from the northern quarters of Marseille, aiming to support local talent and contribute to the community.