In 1849, when Domingo Ghirardelli immigrated to the
United States from his homeland of Italy, he has dreams of striking it rich in
the California Gold Rush. After trying his hand and failing at mining, he
settles on opening a tent-store in nearby Stockton, CA, selling various
supplies and confections to fellow miners. With his new business proving
successful, Domingo decides to open a store and hotel in San Francisco. After a
major fire in 1851 destroys his businesses, he begins to rebuild. In 1852, he forms
a new confectionery company that is to become the Ghirardelli Chocolate
Company.
Today, Ghirardelli Chocolate Company has built on
its signature taste and time-honored manufacturing processes to become
America’s premium chocolate company. Here is a timeline of important events that led my favorite chocolate today; Ghirardelli!
1837: At the age of 20, Ghirardelli marries first wife, and sets sail
to Uruguay to partake in the South American chocolate trade. Here, he takes a
job in a "coffee and chocolate establishment."
1838: A year later, attracted by opportunities in Lima, Ghirardelli
sails around Cape Horn to Peru. Fatefully, Ghirardelli opens a confectionery
store next to a cabinet shop owned by an American, James Lick.
1847: Enticed by the stories prosperity in North America, Lick leaves
for San Francisco, taking 600 pounds of neighbor Ghirardelli’s Chocolate with
him. Meanwhile, Ghirardelli continues to operate his store in Peru, soon
replacing his Italian name with its Spanish equivalent, Domingo.
1865: Around this time, someone in the Ghirardelli Company makes an
important observation—by hanging a bag of chocolate in a warm room, the cocoa
butter drips out, leaving a residue that can be processed into ground
chocolate. This technique, called the Broma process, is now generally used in
the manufacture of chocolate.
1892: Domingo Ghirardelli retires as head of the company, turning the
management over to his three sons.
1893: Needing additional space, the company purchases the Pioneer
Woolen Mill building, and manufacturing moves to that location, on San
Francisco’s northern waterfront. This is the present location of Ghirardelli
Square.
1900: The company sells its coffee and spice business, limiting its
products to chocolate and mustard. A two-story warehouse (now called the Cocoa
Building) is built on North Point Street.
1923: The company adds two floors to the Cocoa Building and the
four-story structure becomes the base for 15-feet high, illuminated letters
spelling "Ghirardelli." Visible for miles, the sign becomes a
welcoming sight to ships passing through the Golden Gate.
1963: The Golden Grain Macaroni Company, which is owned and operated
by the De Domenico family, purchases the Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. The
purchase includes the company name, product, formulas, and equipment.
1982: The owners apply for and are granted National Historic Register
status for Ghirardelli Square. The management at Ghirardelli Square seeks to
enhance and improve the ambiance of the Square by adding more greenery, trees,
and flowers to the landscaping. New outdoor umbrellas enliven the interior of
the Square, contributing to the visual appeal and atmosphere. With more than 75
tenants offering cuisine, art, and merchandise from around the world,
Ghirardelli Square becomes a model for the restoration of classic buildings
throughout the country.
1993-2003: Ghirardelli opens retail stores around America!
2004: Ghirardelli Chocolate Company launches its first national
television advertising campaign.
2004-and to this day: Ghirardelli Chocolate Company continues to launch its first
limited edition flavors every season!
My information about the history of Ghirardelli came from http://www.ghirardelli.com/
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