Latest news with #AignerChocolates
Yahoo
26-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Golden Ticket fundraiser underway to benefit schools and local businesses
FOREST HILLS, Queens (PIX11) — Do you want to win a Golden Ticket to tour a chocolate factory? It's not the plot of a movie, but an actual fundraiser currently underway in Forest Hills, Queens. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Aigner Chocolates on Metropolitan Avenue in Forest Hills, Queens is selling 'community bars' to benefit schools and local businesses. Owner Rachel Kellner tells PIX11 News, 'Anyone can come to the store and purchase a community bar for 6 dollars. 40 to 50 percent of those sales are going to Adopt A Classroom and Teach for America.' Five of the bars will contain the Golden Ticket, which will allow you to be a Chocolatier for a day at Aigner's. Of course, you'll get to sample the treats when you're done making them. Kellner adds, 'Maybe they'll learn the Snozzberry recipe!' Kellner said, 'We're ready to continue to give back to the community, to continue to help build relationships between schools and businesses.' Free chicken sandwich giveaway in Queens: When and where The contest will last for a month at Aigner Chocolates. At least five public schools in Queens have already signed up to use the candy bars to fundraise for extra money for the classrooms. Co-president of the Parents' Association at P.S. 109Q, Caroline You tells PIX11 News, 'A large portion of the sales is going to go back to the schools so we can definitely use that money to help support the curriculum and other things for the students.' P.A. Co-president Melissa San Pedro said the money allows a number of extras, like 'local theater groups come in and teach the kids to sing, local science-based engineering companies, and they teach the kids robotics, so it just supports what they learned in school.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
NYC chocolatiers and florists adjust to inflation this Valentine's Day
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11)—It's the day of love, and that means many people are celebrating with their significant others. But with prices on so many things up, is that impacting how people are marking the day? More Local News At Aigner Chocolates in Forest Hills, Queens, there is a steady stream of customers like Naher Mangiha. The 18-year-old picked up some premium chocolate for his mom. 'In case my dad doesn't- might as well,' he said. Eric Firestone was also there. He was also all about the goodies for his wife and daughter. 'Because if I didn't, I'd be in big trouble. Number one, number two, it's just nice as it's the holiday,' Firestone said. Owner Rachel Kellner is thrilled with the turnout. 'Today is the busiest day of our entire year, so I'm glad it's not snowing.' Last year, the snowfall on Valentine's Day led to a big drop in sales. With inflation as it is, she's also seen an overall decrease in shoppers. Then there's the price of her goods, also up. Rising temperatures in West Africa, which produces 70 percent of the world's cocoa, have caused cocoa futures to surge. Aigner Chocolates says their cocoa costs have gone up 250 percent in the last year alone, but they're doing what they can to not pass that cost on to their consumers. 'It's astronomical, and we keep seeing it rise,' Kellner says. 'We're trying to cut expenses where we can. We had to raise our cost of chocolate-dipped strawberries because the cost of strawberries doubled this year, but we're just hoping to continue to increase all in traffic to offset our high costs.' It's a similar story at Forest Hills Lilies of the Valley, where prices are up 20-30 percent in the last few months. Owner Benerdict DeSilva says, 'Everything from roses to carnations to lilies, even the greenery we use.' Still, the owner says he's keeping prices steady—charging $85 for a dozen roses instead of the market rate of $100. DeSilva says, 'You can't increase just because it's Valentine's Day- customers will feel it's unfair.' 'It really hurts, but I have to take it and work because I have to serve my community.' Both owners hope their loyal customers will appreciate them taking the financial hit. These customers say they do. Jennifer Giardina says, 'This is just a gem in the neighborhood and in the community, and I think that we should try as much as possible to pick and choose how we're going to splurge on our family.' Naher Mangiha adds, 'It's Valentine's Day is one time a year, so it wouldn't hurt.' They say things have been expensive for a while, but it's okay to budget and then overindulge on a holiday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
