A lot of great stuff starts in the Bay Area. Conversely, it often ends here too. We guess that's our punishment for living in an area where a commitment to artisanal techniques goes hand in hand with an open-minded populace--a place where very desirable things are spawned.
Like good chocolate.
A recent example: two great local chocolatiers sold out to Hershey's. A Pennsylvania company. One that has a theme park. And mass distribution machines in place. And variant versions of its popular, if less than premium, candy bars. Hershey has its place. We just submit that it's something of a shame that it's annexed the Bay Area via acquiring two local gems.
Okay, look -- we don't begrudge Joseph Schmidt Confections and the folks from Scharffen Berger their good fortunes. Hell, we'd probably do the same thing if Hershey came knocking and wanted to dump a truckload of money onto our lawn. They paid their dues and want to cash out. Business is business. We get it.
And maybe the new parent company will be true to their word, that each new division will have autonomy and be able to carry on, that they will be managed by the founders.
Key word: managed. One of the reasons that these two companies are so great, that the chocolate is so good, is the entreprenuerial spirit that created them. It's asses on the line. How can anything but disappointment be the end result when that factor is removed?
