Co-owner Joel Eliaz said business at Xoco-Latte is going strong since the Missouri City bakery opened in 2013.

[caption id="attachment_126052" align="alignright" width="460"] Xoco-Latte owner Joel Eliaz will expand services at the Missouri City bakery.[/caption]

Eliaz said he started selling products, such as jellies and spices, from other local merchants this year, and still makes it to area farmers markets to sell his own creations.

Xoco-Latte specializes in gluten-free candies and baked goods made on-site. Chocolates and bon bons are handmade with ingredients, such as lavender oil, cayenne pepper, passion fruit and pecans, he said.

Xoco-Latte will start offering new classes in January, including postholiday rejuvenation and chocolate-making classes as well as Valentine’s Day classes in February.

Classes are aimed at customers who want gluten-free treats similar to what is made at the store, or for those who want to make things they cannot find at Xoco-Latte, he said.

Customers can enjoy their purchases on-site at Xoco-Latte. However, Eliaz said the space lacks visibility.

“This is a great location for production,” he said.

Eliaz said he still spends a great deal of his time making deliveries around the city. He hopes to move the business’ sales side to another site but has not found a place yet.

Xoco-Latte

4719 Lexington Blvd., Missouri City 832-243-6748 www.xoco-latte.com Hours: Mon. 2-6 p.m., Tue.-Fri. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Closed Sun.