The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Buckeye Chocolate to open new cafe
Company among many offering Small Business Saturday deals
“It is 3,000 square feet, and we plan on building our kitchen out larger than Chardon to handle a bigger crowd.” — Owner Eric Hart.
For local businesses like The Buckeye Chocolate Company, community support is paramount.
Consequently, the public’s reception of its Chardon cafe — opened just a few years ago — has the company in expansion mode again.
The plan is to open in Bainbridge’s Tanglewood Square in March or April.
“It is 3,000 square feet, and we plan on building our kitchen out larger than Chardon to handle a bigger crowd,” said owner Eric Hart. “The menu is going to be very similar to Chardon and possibly a few extra items available only at that location.”
For example, the store will boast a La Marzocco espresso system — the first in the Cleveland suburbs, he said. The system can be programmed to “arguably pull the best espresso shots.”
“We will still have our chocolates, coffee, espresso bar, sandwiches, wraps and salads,” he added. “We are currently working on a liquor license. It seems like it is going to be a good location for our next step.”
There is other evidence that Hart is committed to the Burton Township-based company’s venture into cafes. He became a certified coffee roaster through the Specialty Coffee Association this past spring. He has his first tier of training in sensory skills for coffee cupping and tasting, and looks to continue his certifications in the field.
“We currently roast 100 percent of our own coffee that we serve,” he said. “Along with Austin Adams and Micah Herring, our regular coffee roasters, we roast the best coffee we can to provide to our customers.”
Also new his year is a chocolate line named for his wife, The Meghan Ann Collection.
“She personally makes every piece and puts her very skilled unique touch with the color scheme decorations and packaging,” Hart said. “She is very talented. We started to get requests for customers that Meghan make their tray or basket, etc., so it was a natural transition to her own line.”
All Buckeye chocolates will be 20 percent off Nov. 24 for Small Business Saturday. Corporate chocolate orders placed that day will be discounted 10 percent.
A history of reinvention
Buckeye Chocolate was borne out of an evolving business.
The Hart family first became involved in the food industry by making maple syrup from trees on its farm. Hart’s father, Dennis, offered maple products at various trade shows in the area, later adding cinnamon-roasted nuts. This led to his European Gourmet Almonds company, an undertaking in which he included Eric and his brothers, Brian and Craig.
In 2004, the siblings started Buckeye and developed their own chocolates. The company now also operates Newbury Chocolate Store, and sells its specialty products at numerous festivals and events.
The first cafe opened in Middlefield in 2013, and Chardon followed two years later.
Initially, Buckeye only occupied a portion of the building at 510 Water St. In less than a year, however, the store was expanding into the rest of the space.
It grew from offering chocolates and coffee to adding a healthy, locally sourced (when possible) meal menu, house-made bakery items and cocktails, and roasting its own beans. The 2016 expansion allowed the addition of a conference table and room to rent in the evenings for meetings and other gatherings.
The site, which employs 18 people, also features a drive-through and patio, and entertainment on weekends.
“Three years ago, when we started in this location, I don’t think any of us had an idea of how well we would be accepted by the community,” said Manager Brittany Kuhmer. “The amount of support is overwhelming and so appreciated.”
Kuhmer is busily at work on a new menu, which debuts in December, and seasonal drinks came out Nov. 21. She is constantly concocting creations that will appeal to a wide variety of palates. Some fan favorites are the chicken salad, avocado toast, and turkey club. Seasonal items that score well with patrons include warm grain bowls and thai peanut salads.
Customer service is also a top priority.
“My goal for Buckeye Cafe has always been to meet people exactly where there are,” she said. “I want everyone to feel welcome and at home when they come to Buckeye.”
Meanwhile, Hart always has his eye out for potential new locations and hopes to continue the company’s steady growth.
“We can’t do it without the great communities like Chardon that we plant ourselves in,” he said. “We really appreciate the support of the city and everyone that visits our store for a little comfort.”