Latest news with #HedonistArtisanChocolates
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Will tariffs and bird flu bring higher costs this holiday season?
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — With Easter Sunday right around the corner, many parents may be concerned about what the Easter Bunny will be able to afford this year. Recent tariffs on imports, such as chocolate, have been raising concerns among customers while doing their holiday shopping. As the owner of Hedonist Artisan Chocolates in Rochester says though, there is no need to worry…yet. 'As far as tariffs go, we haven't seen it hit us the way that everyone thinks it has,' says Jennifer Posey. 'What were really looking out for is June and July. That's when we're going to see the difference. It comes from our suppliers and their suppliers, so it takes a long time to trickles down to us.' Posey says that the main factor impacting the price of chocolate is extreme weather across South America, as damaged crops have caused imported chocolate to go up roughly 200% in the past two years. Even so, Posey says she is proud of their ability to keep prices relatively low. 'As prices have gone up, we have tried to really hold steady on our price and only increase it a little bit,' Posey said. 'In fact, our prices have only increased 20% in the whole 18 years that we've been here.' For essentials outside of chocolate, Posey says Hedonist Chocolates were able to to buy many of their imported products, such as boxes and bags, before the tariffs were implemented. Chocolate on the other hand, isn't as easy. 'We make everything fresh by hand, se we're pretty neck and neck with it,' Posey explains. 'So as the prices increases, we have to eat those prices, or raise our prices. But for now, we're holding steady. Our prices haven't been raised for Easter, so it's a great time to come and buy chocolate right now.' Another staple of Easter, eggs. One of the most popular Easter traditions, dying and coloring eggs bright pastel colors, may be more expensive this year than years past. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of a dozen eggs hit a record high of $6.23 cents in the month of March, largely due to a severe bird flu outbreak. In Rochester though, the Abundance Co-op have done their best to provide affordable prices. 'We've kept our retail price at $3.99,' says Abundance Co-op produce manager Nathaniel Foster. 'We've taken a slightly lower margin just to ensure our shoppers have access to those eggs at that price.' One of the main reasons for the lower prices, according to Foster, the relationships Abundance Co-op has kept with their suppliers. 'Some suppliers have had to raise their prices, and some have not,' says Foster. 'One thing that's great about being a small retailer is that we're flexible in sourcing our products. For some suppliers, they haven't raised their prices, so we haven't had to raise ours. With others, where the cost has gone up higher than our retail price, we have had to raise prices.' Although Abundance Co-op does have low prices, one thing they don't have, are white eggs, which are the typical choice for Easter egg festivities. Even so, Foster says they have had many customers take advantage of the low prices eggs, finding creative ways to decorate brown eggs. 'We do have customers that buy the brown eggs and do something different that just your standard dying, they do painting, and applying decals,' Foster says. 'I do think people are going to be seeking out a lower price point for white eggs, and we don't provide that at this moment, but I would image that could get a little tricky, and that some customers may have to resort to other options, like getting a brown egg.' Even with the scares if increased egg and chocolate prices, both Posey and Foster agree that, although some small sacrifices may have to be made, your Easter baskets shouldn't be any lighter than before. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New tariffs could mean rising chocolate costs ahead of Valentine's Day
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — Valentine's Day is fast approaching. Chocolate is always one of the most popular gifts to give a loved one. But, with new tariffs being implemented, the price of paying for that sweet treat could go up enough to break your heart. Hedonist Artisan Chocolates, located in Rochester's South Wedge, serves a variety of chocolates along with their ice cream shop located next door. Owner and operator Jennifer Posey told News 8 they've needed to adjust their prices throughout the years for various reasons like the covid pandemic and a drought by the equator, but she may have to adjust again if she see's effects from new tariffs on imported products. 'I would imagine that if there's tariffs on packaging, that could affect us, even from our suppliers in the us that we get, they probably get supplies overseas. Chocolate is grown along the equator we definitely import that. So, we are hoping there is no tariffs on that. And so that is something that we could potentially come across if confronted with,' Posey said. Posey says if they are affected by the tariffs, their focus is sustainability, having quality products with the hope to not raise prices too much, and to keep the staff they have currently. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
