LYNN, Mass. - Nov. 7, 2015 - PRLog -- Bacci Chocolate Design, a national specialty chocolate manufacturer, sold its retail division, The Chocolate Truffle, to Craig and Jennifer Burkinshaw, owners of Memory Lane Sweets. Erin Calvo-Bacci purchased The Chocolate Truffle, then located in Woburn, in 2003 and moved the business to Reading in 2006 to a building they purchased in 2013. In an attempt to control product costs and increase sales and brand awareness through retail and wholesale distribution, Calvo-Bacci and her husband Carlo Bacci made the strategic decision to launch a manufacturing division in 2006 called Bacci Chocolate Design which became the parent company to The Chocolate Truffle. The manufacturing division continues to grow since its launch, selling into specialty retailers including Whole Foods, Stonewall Kitchen and The Paper Stores. The retail division grew to three stores, but due to increased business costs, they had scaled down to one by 2012.
The decision to sell off the retail division started a few years ago when discussions to increase minimum wage and paid sick time surfaced. With the major jump in payroll and product costs, the company had to look at which areas they could cut costs. “Massachusetts is making it increasingly difficult to run a Main Street Retail Establishment,” stated Calvo-Bacci. “Legislators want to force small business owners’ hands with costly mandates forcing us to make tough decisions.” With the sale of The Chocolate Truffle, Bacci Chocolate Design is able to cut 7 retail positions and be exempt from the mandated paid sick day legislation. “It’s unfortunate because I believe retail jobs are the best ‘first jobs’ for many people, especially students. I worked my way up in retail where I gained knowledge, skills and experience which I’ve applied to past jobs and I especially use in my own company. I love working and encouraging my employees who one day may want to own their own business.”
Selling the retail division instead of closing the store was so that The Chocolate Truffle brand would continue and the building which must remain mixed use would have a tenant. “I spent a lot of time building The Chocolate Truffle brand which I often thought of as my ‘child’ and I needed time to find the right buyers who would also be my tenants,” Calvo-Bacci said on her decision. “I feel confident the Burkinshaws will take the Main Street retail shop to the next level. I will not be out of retail; I’m just shifting my focus and watching my costs.” The sale of The Chocolate Truffle will allow the company to focus on growth and the launch of a major rebranding campaign including an e-commerce division which they plan to complete in time for the Holiday Season.
About Bacci Chocolate Design www.cbstuffer.com — Located in Swampscott, MA, the National Specialty Retailer is known for its CB Stuffer Peanut Butter Cups and Gourmet Bars, Chocolate Pizzas and pizza slices. They are members of the Specialty Food Association, the Retailers Association of MA, the National Retail Federation, the US Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Boston Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Lynn Area Chamber of Commerce.
About The Chocolate Truffle www.thechocolatetruffle.com — Located in Reading on Main Street, the store is known for its hand rolled truffles and hand dipped chocolates. The Chocolate Truffle was featured in The Boston Herald, The Boston Globe, NECN, The New York Times, The Phantom Gourmet and Fox 25.
Contact
Erin Calvo-Bacci
***@cbstuffer.com
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