The smell of cacao mixes with coffee and wafts through the air. The hissing sound of an espresso machine is accompanied by slow music from the speakers. Chocolate makers clad in hair nets and aprons are hard at work, as patrons nearby watch chocolate-making process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Welcome to Cocoa Legato.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an era where many businesses are hyper-focused on a single product, Aaron Lindstrom, founder and executive chocolate maker at Cocoa Legato, has built an establishment that provides a full range of sensory experiences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI’ve always played music, and I’ve always made chocolate. And so this was my idea, if I can merge the two things I know–chocolate, music–into one,\u201d said Lindstrom. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Located in Greenwood, Cocoa Legato opened its doors in April 2025. In the eight months since, it has carved out a unique identity distinct from the average caf\u00e9.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The place functions simultaneously as a bean-to-bar factory, a bustling caf\u00e9, and a live music venue. This combination of art and business is not happenstance; it is deeply rooted in Lindstrom\u2019s identity. Born in Colombia, South America, and adopted by a family in the States, Lindstrom connects his craft to his heritage by primarily sourcing cacao beans from Colombia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI speak some Spanish,\u201d said Lindstrom. \u201cI’m not fluent, so it’s a lot of a personal thing for me if I want a connection to my heritage, and the most immediate way I can do that right now is with chocolate.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This carefully crafted experience is further expanded upon in the fusion of Cocoa Legato\u2019s other discipline: Music. Each chocolate bar is molded with a signature vinyl record design and accompanied by a music pairing, accessible through a QR code that links to a specially picked song by a Seattle-based musician.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cYou have the taste, you have the smell of the chocolate, you have the feel of the chocolate on your tongue, you have the visual of a cool-looking chocolate bar of beautiful packaging, \u201d said Lindstrom. “The one thing that’s missing is the auditory experience, and since my whole life is music, I want to add that in there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lindstrom\u2019s path to becoming a chocolate maker seemed like destiny. While he is a professional musician, specializing in guitar, with experience in several different projects, he initially came across chocolate while transitioning from a musician job in Oakland to a barista position at a chocolate company. After that first introduction to chocolate, Lindstrom worked as a factory tour guide, which then evolved into direct involvement in chocolate, as it became a full-blown passion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This enthusiasm sparked an idea for Lindstrom regarding Cocoa Legato\u2019s business model while he was working at the now-defunct Theo Chocolate. After Lindstrom collaborated with Pearl Jam to create a chocolate bar, he said the reception was overwhelmingly positive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n