Content area
Full Text
When the cravings hit for fine Swiss truffles, a visit to the rural community of Vienna, West Virginia, along the Ohio River, is not the location that first comes to mind. But it is in this region, where small river towns grew wealthy from glass factories and the boom of gas and oil exploration in the late 19th century, that chocolate aficionados can find mouth wateringly smooth and creamy Swiss truffles.
In Switzerland, during the midst of a post-World War II recession, Fritz Holl responded to a help wanted ad in a confectionery trade journal placed by an Ohio businessman. Within weeks, he found himself in Ohio, continuing his career as a chocolatier, and eventually joining an ice cream business.
That was in the late 1950s. Following his retirement in 1986, Fritz had too much time on his hands, and decided to take up truffle making where he had left off nearly 30 years before. With the support of his wife, Elisabeth, and $3,000, Holl's Chocolates was birthed in a small (600-square-foot) shop.
Says Fritz of those early days, "Our philosophy was, `if it works, fine, but if not, we're not going to worry about it.' Well, we never used up the $3,000. Our business grew 25 percent a year! We developed a very nice clientele. And my wife, she has artistic talents and started making gift baskets. That went over very well."
In 1989, the popularity of Holl's Swiss truffles forced Fritz and Elisabeth to look for a larger location. By now, their son Dominique was interested in joining the business and making his mark on it. Recalls Fritz, "He influenced me to buy this building (5,000 square feet), which we have been in since 1990.
"My training in Switzerland was in chocolate. I never really lost it, but I had not kept up with the developments. Dominique took courses in candymaking," says Fritz. "So with his training, we have been able to bring our candies up to date, and improve the quality. He has a keen sense of quality."
Second generation chocolatier Dominique Holl stresses, "My father's way of making chocolates is...