Cocoa40 Owner Stefania Pede has built a picturesque chocolate and ice cream shop on Newmarket’s Main Street.
The store features a few tables, along with photos that Pede took herself, all tucked into the shop near the corner of Park Avenue.
The store is not the largest, which is why Pede said she was surprised when a studio approached her to make it part of a film production.
“It’s exciting. I didn’t expect Brain Power to approach us,” Pede said. “They were really happy with the way the store looked and they thought it would fit really well with the production.”
The local film company Brain Power Studio is working on another film in Newmarket’s downtown core this month. With sites including the Trinity United Church, the studio will be filming at Cocoa40 and other downtown businesses starting next week.
According to a letter distributed to neighbouring businesses, filming of the television movie Hearts of Robin Lane will take place Oct. 22 at 185 Main and Oct. 23 at 209a Main and Trinity United Church.
Pede said her understanding is that it is a romantic film. The company is well known for the genre, with more than 20 such productions under its belt.
The Town of Newmarket confirmed that the studio received a film permit to film within the downtown BIA. The permit required Brain Power to contribute in support of the BIA, but it is a “small, low-impact production,” the town said.
Pede said the process has been pretty easy.
“Brain Power has been fantastic to work with,” Pede said.
NewmarketToday did not receive a reply to a request for comment from Brain Power before publication deadline.
Pede said the idea of seeing her store appear in a film is "really cool."
“I had no idea what to expect and the team was really great about it,” Pede said. “I’m excited to see the final product, that’s for sure.”
