FISH CREEK (NBC26) — It's looking like it's going to be a beautiful Mother's Day weekend, which means it's the perfect time to take a sweet trip to Door County.
Kara and Cole Vanderleest opened the DC Chocolate Design shop just three weeks ago, a new storefront for a business born out of a love for chocolate.
“It’s, for me, where science and where emotions, as well as creativity, meets," said Kara Vanderleest. “You connect a lot to food. You connect your memories, you connect your enjoyment, your celebration to food, and chocolate is the food that, for my family, we had it every holiday, so for me, chocolate is a happy food.“
A few years ago, the Vanderleests started selling their now iconic Door Bars at farmers markets, their chocolate becoming very popular.
“It was a very good feeling, knowing that we could maybe grow this business into something a little bit more," said Cole Vanderleest.
A few years later now having their own shop, both Kara and Cole say they’re still learning. In fact, the couple is considering recruiting some help Sunday.
“They’ll probably end up helping us," said Kara, referring to both their mothers. "Our moms and our families have completely supported us through this whole process and have helped every step of the way.“
Kara's mom, an interior decorator and designer, helped design the whole space, said Kara. Cole’s mom, whom Kara describes as a retail extraordinaire, and helped the two figure out how to display and to set truffles out and do every piece of putting retail together.
“Now that I am a little bit older, I’ve realized that my mom I know how to put up with a lot with raising three chaotic boys," said Cole. "She deserves all the respect and love in the world."
Although we’ll never be able to repay mom for everything she’s done, treating her to some chocolate is a good start.
“Once you have a taste of that good chocolate, you’re like, 'Oh my god,'" said Cole. "'This is what I’ve been missing my whole life?'“
DC Chocolate Design's cafe is open every day except Tuesday. They open at 7 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. every day, except on Sundays, when they close at 2 p.m. You can also make online orders here.
