Deep Space To Deep Chocolate Former high-techies start new low tech venture

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 3 September 2003 | Lisa Margonelli

[csvset]

"Would you like some chocolate?" Timothy Childs, standing on a sidewalk in Noe Valley on a recent Saturday, offers a small piece of candy to a passing shopper. Because it is summer in San Francisco, Childs wears a parka and an exuberant polar-fleece hat covered with bouncing fuzzy tendrils. The passerby, her own polar-fleece jacket zipped up to her lips, keeps walking.

[csvset]

High tech to high calorie. Do the Chinese make choclate?

[csvset]

Chocolate ping.

[Lil'freeper]

whoohoo. thanks for posting this. their stuff is a little pricey, but sounds tempting.

[Moonman62]

"There are a lot of people starting businesses now," says Todd Ewing, managing director of the S.F. Center for Economic Development, "because there's a chance to put together good deals and break out of the pack with unusual success." Ewing adds that the number of new start-ups is high because there's less competition than during the boom years, coupled with lower lease rates. (S.F. business real estate has become something of a bargain, and leases are at the same levels they were in 1994 and 1995.)

But according to the liberals and quite a few conservatives, the problem is overcapacity.

I wonder why they don't mention capital gains tax cuts and other tax cuts for small businesses. It's good to hear that business startups are on the rise. That's what our economy needed all along.

[csvset]

Left off the captions to the pics.

Rob Polevoi (left) and Timothy Childs stand over a pot of hot Cabaret chocolate. SFGate.com photo by Alex Marsh

Timothy and Rob claim that the "Cacaomaster7000" is the secret to their chocolate's great taste. They would not allow the device to be photographed uncovered. SFGate.com photo by Alex Marsh

Large mixers are used to stir the chocolate while it's heated. SFGate.com photo by Alex Marsh

Cabaret chocolates come in a unique, custom-designed package. SFGate.com photo by Alex Marsh

[KC_Conspirator]

I did hear that moron on Rush yesterday cite this story as his "evidence" that the high tech industry is going just great and thousands of jobs are not going overseas. So I guess everyone is Willy Wonka now?

[RosieCotton]

Fancy finding you here! ;)

This does sound tempting, though. Mmmm....chocolate!

[MinuteGal]

With all its impressive-looking glitzy gold boxes and wrappings, Godiva makes big bucks hawking the world's worst (and expensive) chocolates.

Good luck to these intrepid entrepenuers. I don't mind paying a premium on occasion for truly good chocolate and it sounds like they have a winning formula.

Leni

[BlessedBeGod]

Oh my gosh, at $60/lb. that stuff is more expensive than Godiva! You're going to make me go broke!

I'm surprised the Chronicle is even reporting this, as San Francisco is the home of Ghirardelli Chocolate. I've been to their shop in Ghirardelli Square, but I'm not too impressed with the chocolate. I like Godiva much better.

Thanks for the ping!

[Barry Goldwater]

Don't forget gourmet dog biscuits.

[pbear8]

I like Godiva much better.

Try 'Ethel M' - only $25.00 per pound and very fresh ingredients.

[BlessedBeGod]

I checked and unfortunately they don't have much of a selection of dark chocolate (which is all I'll eat). But thanks for the suggestion, I'll pass it on to others. It sure does look good!

[Chewbacca]

Ever tried See's Candy?
They make it in Seattle.

Very good.

[pbear8]

Mary See started her business in LA, IIRC. We have many stores here in CA. I'm glad they retail in other states. I don't think they sell back East though.

The SF Chron rates See's as an excellent low price choc and a fairly good high-end choc.

I like the dark choc vanilla butter creams!

[pbear8]

I checked and unfortunately they don't have much of a selection of dark chocolate

Ethel M(ars) used to sell in CA, but I think her entire operation is now in NV. We always buy a pound for the ride home from Las Vegas. The raspberry and strawberry dark chocolates just burst with flavor. Very fresh ingredients! We are welcome anywhere we bring a pound of 'Ethel M' as a hostess gift.

(Blessed be His Holy Name)

[Chewbacca]

I like the See's lolly pops and hard candy. My favorite are the raspberry chocolate and cinnimon candy drops.

The chocolate caramel chews are good too.

[BlessedBeGod]

The raspberry and strawberry dark chocolates just burst with flavor.

Oooooooooo, you really know how to torture someone. ;-)

[pbear8]

Oh, I forgot to mention the lemon dark chocolate butter creams, they are famous for them. They are made with Meyer's lemons and make your mouth pucker!

[cuz_it_aint_their_money]

Mary See started her business in LA, IIRC. We have many stores here in CA. I'm glad they retail in other states. I don't think they sell back East though.

No they don't. And since I relocated to Penna almost 20 years ago, it's the one thing I miss about the west coast.
However you can just as well order from the See's website (www.sees.com)
I have and have never been disappointed.

[BlessedBeGod]

Saidst, LOL! Now I'm going to have to go out and buy chocolate, whether it's Godiva or something else. I'm desperate! :-)