Godiva Chocolates are manufactured by the Godiva Chocolatier Company, originally of Belgium - it was purchased for nearly a billion dollars recently by a Turkish group. Thankfully for many ceaseless fans worldwide, the chocolate itself remains the same.
Godiva was founded nearly a century ago, and just 30 years after Hershey's, by Pierre Draps in Brussels, in the equivalent of a mom-and-pop store. The premium chocolates would not actually obtain the name Godiva until Pierre's son Joseph inherited the family business and named it after a nude woman of legend. Before you think "figures", just know that the name was suggested by Joseph's wife!
As the name of Godiva has persisted through the century, it isn't the only thing that Joseph and his well-read wife did right: they turned Godiva into a veritable national treasure through Joseph's business acumen and his wife's dedication and skill in chocolate-making - high-quality chocolate making, in fact; to distinguish it from the others about. Through the years, their repertoire would expand from a gorgeous hazelnut praline centered milk chocolate, to varieties of creamy dark chocolate and mint chocolate. Godiva chocolate even fashioned special treats to celebrate the marriage of a king and queen (how many chocolates can say they did that!); and was commissioned to be the official Chocolatier of the Royal Belgian Court.
From there, it was off to the Moon. Godiva would soon take America by storm, where its extravagant packaging and selective disbursement - as well, of course, as its gorgeous taste - garnered demand like few others. As such, Godiva could pretty much charge anything they want; and, in the early years, they did. Originally marketed as the "holiday" or "special occasion" treat, Godiva made big sales for the 3 months between November and February. As the popularity - and revenue - spread, the number of stores more than doubled in the 6 years between 1988 and 1994, and Godiva started preparing to cater to a larger market by dropping many of its prices. With the influx of business, they could well afford to.
Godiva offers the gamut of lovely gifts, and is a favorite for Valentine's Day or birthdays; the best part about them is that everyone is aware of the exclusivity of the brand. We absolutely love Hershey's Chocolate, but it simply doesn't say the same thing as giving a loved one a box of Kisses as opposed to a decadent box of Godiva truffles. From their holiday-appropriate, wonderfully-appointed gift baskets, to their brand of ice cream, the quality never decrease, and the gift-receiver will appreciate it.
The current century, as of 2000, sees Godiva as a foremost provider of luxury chocolates in the world, with powerful allies in the business world (Campbell Soup), all backed by the wonderful and unique chocolate recipes first hashed out in a little mom-and-pop store in Brussels, Belgium.
Chris remembers the first day she had Godiva Chocolatier's exquisite brand of gold balloting assorted chocolates; it was like a new world of chocolate taste opened up for her. Today, she and her husband gift Godiva chocolates and other high-quality chocolate brands to friends and family for Valentines Day.
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