Friday, Aug. 01, 2008

Chocolate makers set up shop in Gardner

It’s pretty common for a customer to walk into Ricetta Artisan Chocolates and yell, “I need chocolate now!”

They’ll get it in a new store in downtown Gardner. The walls and shelves of the store are lined with truffles and boxes of chocolates. Customers can watch as the sweets are made.

Owners Cheryl and Carter Wetherington are not surprised when such urgency is expressed toward chocolate. The word “ricetta,” in fact, is Italian for a remedy, a prescription or a solution.

“We think we have the ultimate remedy here with our chocolate,” Cheryl Wetherington said.

Making chocolate started 11 years ago as a part-time job for Cheryl Wetherington. She liked it so much she just kept going. Ricetta Artisan Chocolates, formerly Riverfront Chocolates, opened in Lawrence six years ago. She and her husband, Carter, continue to develop new recipes and variations on chocolate. After two years of research, they decided to move chocolate production to Gardner. A retail shop will remain in Lawrence. The Wetheringtons are Gardner residents with children in a Gardner elementary school.

“We think it is good to invest in your community,” Cheryl Wetherington said.

She also hopes the move will provide the opportunity for the business to expand in the metro.

“It doesn’t hurt anything that the Gardner area is booming like crazy,” said Carol Hester, Ricetta’s executive sales director.

At Ricetta, a customer can get more than 14 flavors of truffles, chocolate-covered wine bottles, boxes full of chocolate, handmade fudge and chocolate-covered apples.

During the holidays, Wetherington offers special-edition flavors of truffles like mint, lime and strawberry. Customers often purchase those limited-time chocolates as gifts, Hester said.

“I’m not kidding that chocolate does things for people,” Hester said. “There’s a contentedness that goes along with it.”

The business also offers custom chocolate boxes, a full-service chocolate fountain business and personalized logos on chocolate bars. It often works with businesses and corporations that need a way to stand out or thank clients.

“If you leave chocolate, they remember who you are,” Hester said. “Chocolate will set you apart from other companies. We make companies look good.”

In addition to chocolate, Hester said, Ricetta concentrates on detail. For instance, if a chocolate needs to be sent to Texas, the chocolate makers will check the weather forecast down south. They will pack the chocolates in material that won’t allow it to melt. On top of that, each piece of chocolate is handled with white cotton gloves so nothing will melt and no chocolate will have a fingerprint.

Hester said Ricetta is already planning to be a part of the Johnson County Fair and is working with Olathe Medical Center on projects related to breast cancer awareness in October.

The store opened in late July, and Hester said the Gardner community has been incredibly supportive. She said they look forward to being involved in the Gardner community.

“It’s chocolate, what’s not to love,” Hester said.

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