Sweet History: Chicago home to premiere chocolatiere

CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) - Its entrance doesn’t exactly inspire pure imagination, tours of the facility aren’t exactly led by Willy Wonka.

Not only are there no Oompa Loompas, this isn’t even where they make the chocolate!

But what lies inside Baron Chocolatier is sweet for its own set of reasons. Because just outside of Chicago lies a delicious testament to the little guy – and just how legitimate the American dream really is.

Founded in 1982 out of pure survival necessity in Soviet-controlled Poland, the family owned Baron Chocolatiere grew from one person making treats in a small house kitchen, to becoming a premiere chocolatiere across Europe.

But the family dreamed of bigger things – so they set their sights on America.

Chicago, and the suburb of Vernon Hills, quickly became the central nervous system of Baron Chocolatier.

Shipping, distribution, creative, marketing – everything short of production is done right here.

But the seemingly endless rows of chocolate, tons of gummy bears and pallets of sweetness doesn’t change the fact that they’re still David fighting Goliath.

The chocolate itself is still made in Poland – and it’s going to stay that way. But Chicago is the future of Baron Chocolatier , they’re even preparing to move their chocolate molding facilities here.

Because for decades, the Windy City has been the home of countless American dreams. Though you’ll be hard pressed to find one as sweet as this…