Take a young girl’s passion for chocolate bars, a woman’s delight in fine food and a touch of perfectionism... What do you get?  The creator and founder of Fran’s Chocolates.  In 1982 Fran Bigelow created her signature chocolate almond bar called “The Gold Bar” and opened a confectionery shop in Seattle, Washington.  At that time she wanted to showcase the pure flavors of her exquisitely created chocolate treats which could only be found in European chocolate salons. Now 25 years later she has set the standards for all other USA chocolatiers to follow!

I am on my way to Fran’s since their chocolate has won so many awards and set such high standards I am not sure what to expect.  I, like numerous others have eaten the luscious chocolates which just a few months ago received prestigious awards for 3 of their products.  As I view their marketing materials I notice that they too are very high end... Perhaps their factory will be filled with highly sophisticated high end technology and equipment.

I arrive at a rather unpretentious small chocolate brown covered square building. It sort of reminds me of their carmel bits... hummm... could it be, will I been entering a Wonka Wonderland?  Oh my, could everything be made up of chocolate, just waiting for me to take a bite?

Inside Sean Seedlok, the vice president of marketing greets us.  He is giving Gary and I the tour today.  Eagerness fills as we walk into the INNER SANCTUM - we sit at a table,  he talking and me squirming, eyes canvassing the room looking for chocolate - Where is the chocolate? I don’t see any chocolate!  Finally we don a hair net and walk into Fran’s Factory!