Business
In the Business of Happy
The Forum, Peterbrooke Chocolatier of Peachtree Corners
Located in a corner shop located in The Forum, Peterbrooke Chocolatier has been a staple of Peachtree Corners since 2008. The shop, lit by large windows, features shelf after shelf of chocolate goodies, popcorn, truffles, candies and a large gelato case. When I visited, the store was decorated for Easter with pastel colors, bunnies and giant decorative eggs everywhere you look.
Founded by Phyllis Geiger in 1983 in Jacksonville, Florida, the company lives by the motto that chocolate should be fun. And here, surrounded by candies lining the aisles of Peterbrooke Chocolatier, fun is abundant. The air itself carries the alluring aroma of chocolate and stepping inside feels a bit like stepping back in time. Being in the shop reminded me of my childhood; the magic of being surrounded by treats is intoxicating.
“It’s a wonderland,” said Head Chocolatier Geoffrey Wilson, who has grown up around chocolate and developed a deep love and understanding for the art of making chocolate.
A personal history of chocolate and happiness
Wilson’s affection for the craft can be traced back to when he was about 10 years old. He described his mother as an overachiever, and one manifestation of that was the assortment of extravagant treats she made for her children’s birthdays, Boy Scout meetings and school parties. A mother to nine, the act of making confectionary goodies became a family pastime with Wilson and his youngest four brothers.
While making chocolate remained a hobby in Wilson’s life, his career led him to hold a variety of roles, including working in customer service for AirTran as well as an Episcopal church position where he was in charge of making large meals for the congregation.
He enjoyed the flexibility to improvise when making these large meals and finding ways to make them more enjoyable to the diners. “Normally church food is kind of boring and bland, so we would kind of spice things up a little,” said Wilson. “It made everybody happy.”
Making people happy is a theme of Wilson’s life, and it’s evident when talking to him about his work at Peterbrooke. “That is very important, probably too important sometimes. Other people’s happiness supersedes my own,” he said wryly.
An artist at heart, Wilson is the type to always have crafts ready for when he entertains family at holidays. He is constantly seeking opportunities for artistic expression. Since he began working at Peterbrooke 12 years ago, Wilson has been able to flex those creative muscles in both the act of crafting chocolate goodies as well as the intricate decorations he installs for major holidays. “I create new designs and have fun with it,” he said.
Year-round sweets and events
Products like hand-dipped strawberries, molded figures and even corporate gifts made in the shape of company logos keep the dedicated staff at Peterbrooke busy year-round. Their busiest season runs from October through late December, when they prepare a plethora of Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas treats.
“We shipped just over 1,000 packages last November and December, so that’s the busiest because it’s the longest period of time. Valentine’s is the craziest of all of them. We fill the store up with hearts and cherubs,” Wilson explained.
“We shipped over 800 pounds of chocolate dipped strawberries this year. Easter and then Mother’s Day are pretty big for us, too. Easter is the most chocolate of all the holidays,” he said, gesturing at the shelves behind him. “It’s a lot of chocolate bunnies.”
The store also offers summer camps, field trips, adult nights out, team building and private parties. For the camps, Wilson typically conceptualizes a theme and builds projects and tasks around that topic.
The theme of last year’s summer camp was Minecraft. Kids were able to come into the shop and craft tasty treats such as krispie creepers, golden apples, and enderman graham crackers.
Wilson infuses the workshops with lessons about chocolate and confectionery, finding fun ways to pepper that information throughout the day in the form of trivia. “I teach them the history of chocolate and where chocolate comes from. I do a Girl Scout class on the economics of an Oreo,” he said with a chuckle, describing how large-scale manufacturers differ from independent local makers. He’s passionate about his knowledge and enjoys sharing it with others.
Keeping connected through chocolate
Wilson truly thrives when working with kids and has developed long-lasting relationships with many of the families who frequent the shop. “With the summer camps, I see pictures of some of these kids from 12 years ago and now they are getting married and graduating college. I still know their parents and they come in and I get to hear about what they are doing,” he shared, adding that some of the kids who attended camps there end up coming back to work for him later on.
“I’ve had some really incredible people who have worked with me, and they have gone on to get master’s degrees, travel and experience the world.”
Working in a chocolate shop is — no surprise — a great way to connect with kids and families. Many locals love their special events, such as the recent 12th annual Easter Egg Hunt that took place on April 9. Sponsored by the Forum and Peterbrooke, they closed the alley just outside the shop and eggs are hidden on the street and sidewalks for eager children to find.
After my interview, I decided to try a few sweets. You know, for science. Choosing just one treat is nearly impossible when faced with so many options. I finally settled on a few goodies: chocolate covered graham crackers and hot cocoa bombs, plus goodies for my daughter’s Easter basket, including a classic chocolate bunny and sugar cookies in the shape of carrots. The chocolate is such high quality it positively melts in your mouth.
This sweet little shop in The Forum is truly a gem, and sure to please every chocolate-lover in your life.
For more information visit peterbrookeatlanta.com
The strategic acquisition strengthens TransPak’s Southeast presence and expands their capabilities in custom packaging for military, aerospace and high-value equipment.
TransPak, a global leader in logistics, packaging and crating services, recently announced the acquisition of Reid Packaging, a long-standing provider of custom packaging solutions based in Peachtree Corners. Both family-owned and operated companies share a deep-rooted commitment to quality craftsmanship, reliability and customer service, making the acquisition a natural fit.
Reid Packaging, founded in 1982, has distinguished itself as the go-to customer industrial packager in the metro Atlanta region, providing corrugated, foam and custom-engineered crating solutions, particularly in the military and aerospace industries.
Under the ownership of Ward Phillips since 2008, the company has grown to become one of the largest packaging facilities in the region, with a 60,000-square-foot site.
The acquisition will allow TransPak to expand its local manufacturing capabilities in the Southeast, while leveraging Reid Packaging’s expertise in specialized and heavy-duty custom crates.
Strategic Atlanta location and enhanced capabilities
The acquisition is part of TransPak’s strategic expansion into the Atlanta market, a critical logistics hub for both the renewable energy and semiconductor industries.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Reid Packaging into the TransPak family,” said Tomas Molet, executive vice president of East and Midwest Operations, TransPak. “With Reid Packaging’s prime location in Peachtree Corners, we are now able to serve customers throughout the Southeast, including direct routes to the Carolinas and beyond. This acquisition strengthens our ability to meet the needs of existing clients, especially those in the semiconductor and renewable energy sectors.”
In addition to the strategic location, the acquisition brings new manufacturing capabilities to TransPak’s East Coast operations. Reid Packaging’s facility is now the largest of TransPak’s locations in the region. Its offerings include enhanced services, such as heavy-duty and triple-wall corrugated packaging, which will enable TransPak to meet the growing demand for custom-designed packaging solutions for fragile, high-value equipment.
Commitment to employees and leadership appointments
A key focus of the acquisition was ensuring a smooth transition for Reid Packaging’s employees.
“We made a commitment to Ward Phillips to take care of the staff, and we’ve delivered on that promise,” said Molet. “All employees were retained, and we’ve introduced benefits they previously didn’t have as part of our commitment to making this a positive transition for everyone involved.”
Amanda Gautney, a longtime member of TransPak’s leadership team, has been appointed as the operations manager for the Peachtree Corners facility. “I’m excited to work with the team at Reid and continue the legacy of this respected company,” said Gautney.
Looking forward in Atlanta
TransPak plans to continue operating under the Reid Packaging name for the immediate future. However, the facility will gradually transition to full integration under the TransPak brand, reflecting the shared values and commitment to quality of both companies.
About TransPak
Headquartered in Silicon Valley, TransPak has been providing innovative and cost-effective design, crating, packaging and global logistics for over 70 years.
As a customer-focused, women- and family-owned company, TransPak combines the agility of a small business with the reliability of a global powerhouse. TransPak lives by the slogan, “We make it happen,” ensuring that high-value, fragile, and oversized goods reach their destinations safely and efficiently.
For more information about TransPak, visit transpak.com.
Leroy Hite, founder of Cutting Edge Firewood, was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award from Berry College in August
Berry College recently awarded its annual Distinguished Alumni Award for Entrepreneurial Spirit to Leroy Hite, founder of Cutting Edge Firewood (and Berry College graduate, class of 2008). The annual award recognizes and honors alumni who have demonstrated a range of positive entrepreneurial skills — including a commitment to turning a dream into a reality, the vision to create an enterprise, the courage to assume risks and the ability to make changes and take advantage of new opportunities.
“This award holds a special place in my heart, maybe more than any other I’ve ever received,” said Hite. “Being recognized by my alma mater is incredibly meaningful to me.
My entrepreneurial journey began at Berry College. It’s where that initial spark was ignited, and honestly, I’m not sure I’d be where I am today without it. Berry nurtured my curiosity, drive and resilience — the key ingredients to entrepreneurship.”
Innovative entrepreneurship
Berry College professor and leader of the school’s Entrepreneurship Program, Dr. Paula Englis, said that Hite took every class she offered. And when those ran out, he did directed studies with her.
“He always knew he wanted to run his own business, and the growth and success of his firewood enterprise has been a wonder to watch,” she said.
Hite was nominated by Berry alumni Alison Ritter, class of 1994. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp also supported Hite’s nomination.
“As a small business owner myself, I have strong appreciation for and recognize the perseverance it takes to build a business from the ground up,” said Kemp. “Leroy’s innovative approach to the firewood industry, focusing on product quality and customer service, mirrors the entrepreneurial spirit that has long driven Georgia’s economic success.”
The company
When Hite founded Cutting Edge Firewood in 2013, he created the world’s first luxury firewood and cooking wood company. He reinvented everything about the firewood industry, from how firewood is dried and stored to how it’s packaged, shipped and delivered. When the company began, it was just Leroy with a one truck and a trailer. Now Cutting Edge Firewood employs 40, stocks enough inventory to fill its 40,000-square-foot Peachtree Corners warehouse and ships wood to all 50 states.
The wide variety of wood from Cutting Edge undergoes a special drying process to ensure that it’s free from unwanted pests, mold or fungus and provides an unmatched clean and bright burn with pleasant aroma. Their focus on process and the use of hardwoods such as oak, hickory, cherry, apple, pecan and maple ensures their customers receive the highest quality firewood, cooking wood and pizza wood possible.
For more information about Cutting Edge Firewood, visit cuttingedgefirewood.com.
To learn more about the Entrepreneurship Program at Berry College, visit berry.edu/academics/majors/entrepreneurship.
Gwinnett County Public Library Receives Innovation Award
Pinecrest Academy Named to 2024 AP School Honor Roll
Michael Corbin on School Safety, Teacher Pay and Election Integrity [Podcast]
Peachtree Corners City Leaders Engage Residents on Land Use Development
Greek Film Expo Brings Acclaimed Features and Short Films to Atlanta
TransPak Acquires Reid Packaging to Expand East Coast Presence
The NOW Massage Opens Peachtree Corners Boutique at The Forum
TransPak Acquires Reid Packaging to Expand East Coast Presence
The NOW Massage Opens Peachtree Corners Boutique at The Forum
Peachtree Corners City Leaders Engage Residents on Land Use Development
Pinecrest Academy Named to 2024 AP School Honor Roll
Michael Corbin on School Safety, Teacher Pay and Election Integrity [Podcast]
Greek Film Expo Brings Acclaimed Features and Short Films to Atlanta
Gwinnett County Public Library Receives Innovation Award
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Education1 week agoPinecrest Academy Named to 2024 AP School Honor Roll
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Land Use and Development3 days ago
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Business1 day ago
TransPak Acquires Reid Packaging to Expand East Coast Presence
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Health & Wellness3 days ago
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