DIANNE Cody thought all her dreams had come at once when her husband told her he had taken over a chocolate shop in Daylesford.

"I knew Richard was looking for something but I didn't think it would be a chocolate shop," Mrs Cody said.

Mr and Mrs Cody took over Sweet Decadence at Locantro after the previous owners retired. The Ballarat couple plan to commercialise the chocolate into the food-service industry, get the business up to manufacturing standard

and franchise the business.

Mr Cody, previously the food services manager at Ballarat Health Services, has more than 20 years experience in the industry. They plan to continue to deliver a "great little industry that has been set up".

"It was tough at the

beginning but the staff and previous owners have been really helpful," Mrs Cody said.

"We love the atmosphere. It's a beautiful shop."