The little chocolate shop that could

A little over a year ago I was explainging to yet another person, why, 5 years ago, I built my 1200 sq. foot chocolate company 3 miles out of the Town of Telluride. Why aren't you in town! Absorbedent rents and 5 months of off season to start. And then, there's those 2 other chocolate companies who went out of business in less than a year trying to make it in town. But, this time a little voice inside said ... I wonder if that's still true.

Due to the economic down turn, certain closed doors are swinging open. I wondered if this was one of them. A few hours later I was checking the classifieds and making calls. Within 4 days, I had seen a space that was, well, almost perfect for just a little chocolate retail shop. I've lived in this town for 17 years and, even though this space is just off main street - on the strongest block, I had never known it was there. For over 10 years, it had been the home of a silk screen t-shirt manufacturer. He used it as a factory - no retail. Not many people even knew it was there.

Still thinking this was a wild idea with no chance of materializing I began meetings with the landlord and step by step laying out a lease that would work for me. Because you see, I am skitish when it comes to risk - so I drafted a lease that kept me safe if it didn't go well. And by golly, they went for it because the lease also gave them a very good outcome if I was successful. They were willing to gamble and.... I signed a lease.

Next - I had to turn this absolutely run down, filthy, 300 sq. foot space into a chocolate shop good enough to be called Telluride Truffle.

Oh - it was a mess with great possibilities. High 13 foot mismatched walls topped with a beautiful historic tin top ceiling. Original carved woodwork hidden by draping and layers of ugly grey paint. A filthy, cheap wall to wall carpet covering who knew what sort of floor. A sad little light crookedly hanging from the center of the room. I had to make this little space into a jewel of a chocolate shop. And I only had .... 30 days.

I have to hand it to prayer, Ebay, a plumber that did not give up, a clever carpenter who just kept figuring out how to do it cheaper. And an angel of a faux painter named Eli.

We did open 30 days later and it is everything that I needed it to be. It has a great feel to it. Many people comment they feel they are in Europe as they walk into the door. Even Europeans!