The best gift for any occasion is always chocolate, according to Todd and Mindy Polizotto. The couple owns Schakolad Chocolate Factory in Boone Village. They recently moved their thriving boutique chocolate business from the Traders Point area.
“We did our due diligence and did some research,” Todd Polizotto says. “We noticed about 25% of our business was coming from the Zionsville zip code. We looked at it as if we were moving closer to a good chunk of our business.”
Schakolad specializes in more than 85 different molded chocolates, truffles, creams, assorted chocolate novelties and corporate gifts. The name combines the originator’s last name, Schaked, and the word “chocolate.” Baruch Schaked, the co-founder of Schakolad, has been a chocolate maker since 1969. He began his career as a chocolatier in Argentina working for his father-in-law, Gustavo Bar, owner of one of South America’s largest chocolate factories.
The pair got into the chocolate business when they realized they were paying an astronomical amount in child care for their three children. They realized they needed careers with more flexibility for their family.
What sets Schakolad apart from other chocolatiers is the promise that each item is hand-dipped, on-site. The owners are allowed the flexibility to be creative and customize their products for their unique customer base. This sometimes takes a little extra time, but Polizotto says it’s worth the wait.
“If you come in and want six hand-dipped strawberries, we’re going to dip them when you order them,” he says. “They do take a little extra time, but we have a small area for guests to wait with a coffee drink or a hot chocolate.”
Being a franchisee allows the Polizottos to create and sell their own custom creations.
“We have some items that we’ve created that have been just as popular as some of the base items,” Polizotto says. “It’s great from a franchise standpoint because we can tailor our products to our clientele. In the fall we can make and sell caramel apples and cotton candy.”
He says corporate gifts are also very popular with customers. They create a mold of a company’s logo and then use it for molded chocolate gifts. There is no minimum fee for a corporate gift order.
“While customers coming in and buying items from our case is important, corporate business is equally important to us,” Polizotto says. “They love the convenience of being able to call us and have us turn around a gift in 48 hours. We have some who only need three boxes, and we have some who call and need much more. We can accommodate both.”
Polizotto says regulars have been able to find them, and they’ve attracted new business with more foot traffic in the new spot.
Schakolad Chocolate Factory is located at 53 Boone Village, Zionsville, IN. For more information, visit schakoladindianapolis.com.
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