Local Entrepreneurs Prove Chocolate is a Recession-Proof Indulgence

According to Irvington resident Heidi Caren, chocolate is is ultimate recession-proof indulgence.

"When people can't splurge on expensive vacations and meals out, they'll still spend $10 for a box of really good chocolate," Caren said. "It's a small pleasure that's very satisfying."

About five years ago, Caren and her father Arthur Wartenberg joined forces to start Heidi & Arthur Chocolatiers. Wartenberg had just retired from running a family toy distribution business, and Caren was burned-out from her career in real estate.

"I took a chocolate-making course, and immediately wanted to turn the hobby into a career," Caren said. "Chocolate and I understand each other."

Her father added proudly: "Heidi is a chocolate chef extraordinaire."

Though the majority of their business is done online, Heidi & Arthur's chocolate is available for purchase at in Irvington, Perennial Gardens in Bedford and Good Life Gourmet in Scarsdale, among many other local shops. All the chocolate is hand-made in their small "chocolate factory" in Valley Cottage, NY—just over the Tappan Zee Bridge in Rockland County. 

Caren and Wartenberg recently contracted with Whole Foods to sell some of their chocolate at the White Plains location.

"Business is unbelievable," Caren said. "This is the best Valentine's Day we've ever had."

Though their heart-shaped boxes of truffles may look like any traditional box of chocolate, read the list of fillings, and you'll soon realize the assortment is anything but ordinary.

Chinese 5 spice, chocolate orange vodka, whiskey gun powder, tequila lime, cafe au lait ganache...

"I even made an elderberry truffle for a client who requested it," Caren said. "She said it truly tasted like elderberry!"

Caren makes some new truffles—like the elderberry— based on clients' requests but others are inspired by events in her own life.

"I had a shot of Patron tequila lime a week before my son's bar mitzvah," she said. "I thought, if it's good in a Margarita, why not encased in chocolate?"

Wartenberg stressed that all of their chocolate is free of preservatives and chemicals. Even the ones they plan to sell in larger establishments like Whole Foods have no milk or butter, so they will last longer without spoiling. 

Their other goal is to try to extend the chocolate season to last the entire year. "Historically, the most chocolate is sold in the last quarter of the year—[with the exception of Valentine's Day, of course]," Wartenberg said. 

And why shouldn't every day be a chocolate day? 

"Chocolate makes people happy," Caren said. "If that isn't motivation for us to keep working, I don't know what is."

And Wartenberg, at 77 years old, claims chocolate may have—either directly or indirectly—been his fountain of youth.

"My favorite is the dark chocolate bark," he said, as he meticulously dipped red Swedish Fish into molten chocolate. "Dark chocolate is healthy and gives you a lift."

But the indirect benefits of the chocolate may be the most powerful.

"I was terrified thinking about retirement," he said. "Then my daughter made me an offer I couldn't refuse. This is what keeps me young." 

Visit Heidi & Arthur's online store for more information about their products and corporate, wedding and event services. 

Download the movie