I got off the “El” today heading into work and my olfactory senses were accosted with the bittersweet smell of chocolate. I took a deep breath and walked the two blocks to work with thoughts of big steaming cup of hot chocolate playing in my mind. The westerly winds in Chicago must be at it again.
For those who don’t live in Chicago, you’d never know why the city becomes engrossed with the smell of chocolate every so often. When I first moved here, I would smell it at random times, but not think anything of it and go about my day. One day a coworker mentioned how she smelled chocolate that morning and we got into a discussion about where it came from. Turns out there is a chocolate factory just west of the city, and when they are cooking up their latest batches, and the wind blows the right way, an invisible chocolate cloud sits itself right on top of my city. The smell used to almost get on my nerves, but I’ve come to love that smell, something I’m fairly certain only happens in Chicago.
Yesterday, Monday, was not a great start to the day. I woke up cranky, upset with the news of Jennifer Hudson’s family (obviously it’s huge news here in Chicago), and had a stressful day at work. I was happy to get home, and cocoon myself on the couch with my pup. Waking up this morning, I was hoping for a better day. Stepping off the El to the bitter, obvious smell of chocolate, I inhaled as deep as possible and smiled knowing I had inadvertently started my day with chocolate and that couldn’t make me happier.
ohhh that is the BEST smell a city can have! My city once in a while will have the wonderful smell of cow crap, as the chinook winds blow thorugh the city picking up the cow smell from the farms outside of the city, real nice. I would much rather wake up to a city of chocolate!
ReplyDeleteThe company is called Blommer Chocolate. It is a fully integrated chocolate and cocoa manufacturer serving customers around the world. The company was founded in 1939 in Chicago, Illinois by Henry Blommer, Sr., along with his brothers Al and Bernard. By 1948, the business warranted further expansion. They branched out nationally with the addition of Blommer Chocolate Factory of California in Los Angeles. In 1952, Blommer purchased the common stock of Boldemann Chocolate of San Francisco. Both the southern California and San Francisco operations were consolidated in 1970 when a new facility was built in Union City, California. It expanded once again to meet the demands of increasing business when they built a new plant in East Greenville, Pa in 1980 and again this year when they added 85,000 square feet to it's East Greenville facility. The company’s three factories are located strategically across the United States giving them the unique ability to respond quickly to their customers’ needs.
ReplyDeleteToday, the business is still family run and has grown to become one of the largest chocolate manufacturers in North America. With four generations of chocolate makers behind us, Blommer offers continuity in this climate of competition and consolidation.
Mmmm Chocolate! lol... I gave you an award! Check out my blog for details and so you can brag to all your friends! ;)
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