Sad News: Scharffen Berger chocolate factory to close

[melissam]

Hershey has decided to consolidate production and close the Berkeley Scharffen Berger plant some time this year.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/28/BU2F15I9DV.DTL&tsp=1

Don't fear -- Hershey still promises to produce Scharffen Berger chocolate; in fact, most of the SB chocolate is already being made at one of their Illinois plants.

It's still sad -- I have fond memories of touring the SB chocolate factory with the TE folks:

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9407

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=8317

<Sigh> So, if you wanted to tour the SB factory, sooner is better than later.

Hey, weren't we going to tour the Hangar One facility? Maybe we'd better get on it before it gets shut down. (The humanity!! :eek:)

[jobob]

NOOOOOO !

[jobob]

At least we can't blame that one on aka_kim ... :rolleyes:

[jobob]

A fun day it was!

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=9523

[derailed]

that's just mean :(

[SadieKate]

Will SB be the next to go mockolate?

http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/item/today_show_interview_what_wasnt_covered/

PS - those of you who make thumbprint cookies should read this article.

[smilingcat]

But its not the same... made in Ill. What other things are they changing?

Scharffen Berger is a "boutique" high quality supplier of gourmet chocolate. Just like Godiva, SB is going down the tubes. Quality and taste of Godiva chocolate has gone downhill over the years. Godiva is wholly owned by guess who? Campbell Soup Co. under their gourmet/specialty division. They don't like to disclose the information so its kind a hard to find out. But Godiva is there.

SB is the only American chocolate I use... well besides one from France and one from Belgium. I don't think Callebaut and Valrhona is going to be taken over anytime soon. but still. SB plant getting shutdown is plainly wrong!! GRRRR :mad:

okay Hershys used to make a premium extra dark chocolate and it was very high quality. More than good enough to make paves, truffles and pastries. but they stopped making them.

smilingcat

[maillotpois]

I heard that this morning on my drive down the state - so so sad!!! they're also closing the joseph schmidt factory in sf.

:(

[aka_kim]

At least we can't blame that one on aka_kim ... :rolleyes:
No, go right ahead. I have Oldest Child Syndrome, and should always be blamed.

But in truth, it's mostly bike manufacturers which experience my bad juju. Although, a few past employers have bitten the dust following my tenure too. And, I do buy SB chocolates, so maybe the Berkeley closing is just the first nail in the coffin. And it's all my fault ...

[melissam]

Well, I'm glad that we at least have someone to pin this travesty of justice on. Kim, Kim, Kim...what are we gonna do with you?

Anyway, I drowned my sorrows in chocolate over lunch. Went to this bakery in Sunnyvale called Sugar Butter Flour and indulged in a nice little chocolate mousse cake. Oy. I'm stuffed. Between the Thai iced coffee, chocolate mousse, and coffee I had, I think my blood sugar level is at an all time high.

I'm sure I could get an entire quarter's worth of work done if I could just settle down....

[Karma007]

How sad! Sniff...I think I need chocolate now.

[SadieKate]

But in truth, it's mostly bike manufacturers which experience my bad juju. Hey, one of them is opening his doors again!

[jobob]

Kelly?

[SadieKate]

Yup. Does this mean there is life after Kim? ;)

http://kellybike.com/1st_rrwhatnot.html

[jobob]

Kim's evil spell has been broken! :p

[crazycanuck]

If i'm really nice & send one of you funky SF ladies some moolah, could you get me some of the way cool chocolate from Scharffen Berger choc factory?

I will be more than happy to find something coolio from Western Australia to send in return :)

Tank you

[Karma007]

I can help you canuck! I'm headed to Trader Joe's tomorow!
sammything@hotmail.com