Hershey buys everything

I may be way behind the crowd in learning of this, but I was astonished to learn that Hershey's has bought both Scharffen Berger and Dagoba chocolate companies. Doesn't anyone just hold on to their ideals -- and their companies -- any more?

I'm not sure whether or not I want to see Scharffen Berger kisses or Dagoba hugs.

Well, at least it means that a visit to the Hershey store downtown might be more worthwhile.

Hi,

One of the owners of Scharffen Burger has had reoccuring bouts of cancer. He may have ideals compromised by health considerations and estate planning. There are many reasons why people choose to sell. I hope he got top dollar.

Regards,

I hope he did well, too, with the sale -- but I also hope Hershey's doesn't change anything.

And sorry to hear it was a sale motivated by ill health.

It just seems odd seeing the Hershey's name on such a span of products. Hershey's Milk Duds always gets me, because my dad used to be president of M.J. Holloway, originator of Milk Duds.

Cynthia wrote:I'm not sure whether or not I want to see Scharffen Berger kisses or Dagoba hugs.

Would it be better if the founder dies without a succession plan and the company falls apart or becomes part of a family feud? Just look at the "In and Out Burger" scenario and how that is now working out.

I have seen many very successful family businesses fall apart when they are taken over by unmotivated children.

Cynthia wrote:Well, at least it means that a visit to the Hershey store downtown might be more worthwhile.

There is indeed plenty of Scharffen-Berger chocolate at the Hershey store; I hadn't heard about the sale but I dropped in one day just to see what it was all about and saw a lot of SB product, and drew the conclusion.

Maybe it will have a positive net effect? -->

In CandyBlog, Cybele May wrote:Hershey has been making great strides towards more responsible cocoa growing, with their sponsorship of educational and outreach programs, especially in Africa. Hopefully their purchase of Dagoba will enable them to make Hershey the largest ethical chocolate company in the world (a girl can dream)

I myself just learned this, too. I had the same feeling -- similar to the feeling I had when I found out that Godiva is owned by the Campbell Soup Company.

Cynthia wrote:Doesn't anyone just hold on to their ideals -- and their companies -- any more?

Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate

We bought stock after hearing the founder -- Jim Walsh, an ex-Michigan Avenue ad man -- speak about the company. It's great chocolate, but it was not a good investment.

I told MrsF about this, and she brought up a good point.

While Hershey is likely to keep the quality of the current product up, the problem is that they'll probably "grow the brand" and dilute the overall appeal of the Snarfenwhatsis [sic] name

The nice thing is that this may open the market niche for new boutique chocolatiers. One of my recent favorites is John and Kira's chocolates, from the Philadelphia area, and the better known L.A.Burdick of Walpole, New Hampshire.

http://www.johnandkiras.com

http://www.burdickchocolate.com

Hershey announced the purchase of Scharffen Berger in July 2005. There do not seem to have been a huge amount of changes over the past year and a quarter. However, in these types of agreements, there are often committments to maintain certain aspects of the business for a specified period of time.

let me take this opportunity to tout a local chocolate company which specializes in truffles. Chocolate Potpourri makes the freshest and best tasting chocolates i've ever had. and the prices are reasonable, not outrageous. i've taken several truffle making classes with richard gordon who owns the place with his mother marsha. they have a retail outlet and a website. they may not have the cachet of vosges and its ilk, but they have the goods.
i see the high prices at places like vosges and it makes me all the more eager to turn people on to Chocolate Potpourri. i dont believe the prices at the high end chocolate companies have much correlation with the cost of ingredients, etc. more, i think, to do with the current trendiness of chocolates with intriguing ingredients. there isnt anything wrong with the flavor combinations, IMO, only with the high prices.



Chocolate Potpourri Limited
1816 Johns Drive
Glenview, IL 60025
http://www.chocolatetruffles.com
richard@chocolatetruffles.com
847-729-8878

Does Chocolate Potpourri have a retail store, or just the web site. The chocolates look spectacular. I remember reading about them a few years ago, but it was a promotional piece. It's nice to have an objective rave.

justjoan wrote: i see the high prices at places like vosges and it makes me all the more eager to turn people on to Chocolate Potpourri. i dont believe the prices at the high end chocolate companies have much correlation with the cost of ingredients, etc. more, i think, to do with the current trendiness of chocolates with intriguing ingredients. there isnt anything wrong with the flavor combinations, IMO, only with the high prices.

Agreed, I've had plenty of as good or better chocolate than Vosges for way less. And for $2 a truffle you'd think they'd pay more attention to the freshness of the product.

Cynthia wrote:Does Chocolate Potpourri have a retail store, or just the web site. The chocolates look spectacular. I remember reading about them a few years ago, but it was a promotional piece. It's nice to have an objective rave.

they have a retail store at the address i posted. its a little hard to find. call them for directions. justjoan

Agreed, I've had plenty of as good or better chocolate than Vosges for way less. And for $2 a truffle you'd think they'd pay more attention to the freshness of the product.

actually, not to single out vosges for any particular reason, but their truffles are closer to $3/truffle. they offer 16 for $42, or 9 for $25. that is pricey.