Shining on.

• Position: Western - French Broad Luscious Chocolates LLC - Company overview

Willy Wonka's Wonkamobile ran on soda pop. Dan and Jael Rattigan's chocolate factory, scheduled to open next month in downtown Asheville, also will use an alternative fuel: sunbeams. The couple started French Broad Luscious Chocolates LLC as a wholesaler in 2006 after moving from Costa Rica, where they ran a cafe and still own a farm, but found success in the retail store they opened in Asheville in 2008. Up to now, they bought chocolate in bulk, but making their own requires cocoa beans, 9 metric tons of which they're importing from Peru. But French Broad only needs a little more than half of that--which will last six months--and the remainder will go to a manufacturer in Georgia. "I'm in negotiations with regional chocolate makers in Atlanta, Tennessee and North Carolina to build a co-op of sorts," Dan, 32, says. He hopes the renovation of the 3,900-square-foot building, financed with a loan from Asheville Savings Bank, will attract tourists and field trips. But the rooftop roaster, which Dan is building himself, is solar-powered. The store, French Broad Chocolate Lounge, specializes in chocolate drinks, truffles and other confections, but the factory, while also making truffles, will make easier-to-ship chocolate bars. "They have much. greater portability and stability compared with artisan chocolate manufacturing," he says. French Broad goes local when it can but has to buy ingredients from distant sources to compete in its niche market.

FRENCH BROAD LUSCIOUS CHOCOLATES LLC

Based Asheville Employees 30

2011 revenue $1.5 million (50% increase over 2010)

Share from wholesale sales 3%-5%

Bulk chocolate purchased last year 10 tons

Truffles sold per week 2,000-3,000 Average price $1.96

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