Mast Brothers to Open a Massive Factory, 'Chocolate Brewery' at Brooklyn Navy Yard

The beleaguered chocolatiers behind the Mast Brothers are going big with a new factory and "chocolate brewery" at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Michael and Rick Mast are taking over a 65,000-square-foot space at the Navy Yard to act as their primary headquarters and production facility, according to the Times. The chocolate company will double their existing workforce with the expansion, and in addition to continuing to make its signature chocolate bars, Mast Brothers will be debuting a "chocolate brewery," where non-alcoholic chocolate beer will be produced, according to a release.

Apparently the company is doing fine even with the recent controversy around its muddle history with bean-to-bar chocolate — the Mast brothers are planning to hire 100 people within the next three years at their new facility. (The Times noted that Rick Mast was "giggling with anticipation" as he stood in his future home.) The Brooklyn-bred company will be joining several other local food production facilities at the Navy Yard, including Russ & Daughters, Brooklyn Roasting Company, and Kings County Distillery. It's part of an $185 million project with about $80 million in city investment to create jobs and spark economic growth in the area. Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available.