Site search
sponsored by
News
ENLARGE
Dark chocolate is the big seller at Dorado Chocolates' Grass Valley store, says owner Ken Kossoudkji.
Some might think chocolate simply sells itself, but the owners of Grass Valley's Dorado Chocolates know it takes attention to detail and customers with a sweet tooth to turn chocolate into a profitable business.
Opened five years ago, the candy shop in historic downtown Grass Valley owned by Ken Kossoudji and managed by Neil Sarchett now has a sister store in Reno.
“For years, we searched for another location, and Reno didn't have a premier chocolatier, so we thought we'd fill the vacancy,” Kossoudji said. “We had to find a bigger town to become a bigger company.”
The company is also selling its chocolate at the Whole Foods Market specialty store in Reno and may spread to other stores in the chain. Internet sales also are taking off.
“The Web sales are a nice supplemental business; it helps our brand awareness,” Sarchett said. “We get a lot of orders from people back East who have visited our Grass Valley store.”
The store here attracts customers with the company's signature brand dark chocolate, Sarchett said.
“Its an all-natural French method of chocolate made from organically grown cacao plants,” Sarchett said. “Hands down, dark chocolate sells better here two to one, and it's the opposite in Reno.”
The dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and goes well with wine, perhaps explaining why the California customers prefer it, Sarchett said.
Kossoudji makes all the chocolate for both locations and exchanges products for both stores during one of Sarchett's weekly trips to Reno.
“The increased capacity has allowed us to do our community fundraising program,” Sarchett said. Schools, clubs and nonprofits can sell Dorado Chocolates and keep about 25 percent of the proceeds.
Groups wanting to participate can visit the store at East Main and South Auburn streets, or call him at (530) 272-6715, Sarchett said.
“We want to help the local community that helps us,” Kossoudji said.
While many businesses are struggling today, Dorado Chocolates continues to grow.
“We look at other stores' prices and they are significantly higher than ours,” Kossoudji said. “We offer a quality product at a reasonable cost, and that drives people to us.”
“We offer very consistent service, and we know a lot of our customers by name,” Sarchett said.
“Chocolate is a comfort food,” Sarchett said. “It is therapy for a lot of people. Chocolate as a business will always be around.
“I just want to say thank you to the customers,” Sarchett added. “Thank you to people who live locally and shop locally. We appreciate it, and that is why we give back to the nonprofits and the schools.”
Dorado's expansion is accompanied by a new espresso bar in the downtown Grass Valley shop that features frozen coffee drinks and all-natural European-style chocolate.
Dorado Chocolates is at 104 E. Main St., Grass Valley, and at 1296 E. Plumb Lane., Suite H, Reno.
Store hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Gabrielle Irvin contributed to this report. To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
Opened five years ago, the candy shop in historic downtown Grass Valley owned by Ken Kossoudji and managed by Neil Sarchett now has a sister store in Reno.
“For years, we searched for another location, and Reno didn't have a premier chocolatier, so we thought we'd fill the vacancy,” Kossoudji said. “We had to find a bigger town to become a bigger company.”
The company is also selling its chocolate at the Whole Foods Market specialty store in Reno and may spread to other stores in the chain. Internet sales also are taking off.
“The Web sales are a nice supplemental business; it helps our brand awareness,” Sarchett said. “We get a lot of orders from people back East who have visited our Grass Valley store.”
The store here attracts customers with the company's signature brand dark chocolate, Sarchett said.
“Its an all-natural French method of chocolate made from organically grown cacao plants,” Sarchett said. “Hands down, dark chocolate sells better here two to one, and it's the opposite in Reno.”
The dark chocolate is high in antioxidants and goes well with wine, perhaps explaining why the California customers prefer it, Sarchett said.
Kossoudji makes all the chocolate for both locations and exchanges products for both stores during one of Sarchett's weekly trips to Reno.
“The increased capacity has allowed us to do our community fundraising program,” Sarchett said. Schools, clubs and nonprofits can sell Dorado Chocolates and keep about 25 percent of the proceeds.
Groups wanting to participate can visit the store at East Main and South Auburn streets, or call him at (530) 272-6715, Sarchett said.
“We want to help the local community that helps us,” Kossoudji said.
While many businesses are struggling today, Dorado Chocolates continues to grow.
“We look at other stores' prices and they are significantly higher than ours,” Kossoudji said. “We offer a quality product at a reasonable cost, and that drives people to us.”
“We offer very consistent service, and we know a lot of our customers by name,” Sarchett said.
“Chocolate is a comfort food,” Sarchett said. “It is therapy for a lot of people. Chocolate as a business will always be around.
“I just want to say thank you to the customers,” Sarchett added. “Thank you to people who live locally and shop locally. We appreciate it, and that is why we give back to the nonprofits and the schools.”
Dorado's expansion is accompanied by a new espresso bar in the downtown Grass Valley shop that features frozen coffee drinks and all-natural European-style chocolate.
Dorado Chocolates is at 104 E. Main St., Grass Valley, and at 1296 E. Plumb Lane., Suite H, Reno.
Store hours are from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Gabrielle Irvin contributed to this report. To contact Senior Staff Writer Dave Moller, e-mail dmoller@theunion.com or call 477-4237.
