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In the Business of Happy

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Geoffrey Wilson (Photos by Isadora Pennington)

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

Isadora is a writer, photographer, and designer living in Avondale Estates, GA. She has worked in print for the past decade and has been published in the Atlanta INtown, Oz Magazine, Atlanta Senior Life, and the Reporter Newspapers.

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Lisa Anders Promoted to Chief Operating Officer of Explore Gwinnett

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Professional headshot of a brown-haired woman wearing a blue top

Explore Gwinnett, the destination marketing organization for Gwinnett County, has announced the promotion of Lisa Anders from executive director to chief operating officer (COO). Since joining the organization in 1996, Anders has demonstrated outstanding leadership and has established a track record of developing partnerships essential to leading and expanding the evolving destination marketing organization. The creation and oversight of both the Gwinnett Film Commission and Gwinnett Creativity Fund are just two of her achievements.

“I am honored to step into the role of chief operating officer at Explore Gwinnett,” said Anders. “Over the past 13 years as executive director, I have had the privilege of witnessing remarkable growth for our destination. I am eager to enter this new chapter, and I’m looking forward to continuing to see how we expand.”

As COO, Anders will take on the additional responsibility of overseeing the Gwinnett Sports Commission. This division is dedicated to driving economic development through sports, managing a variety of events for youth, collegiate, amateur and professional athletic organizations. Ander’s innovative approach and extensive network of local and national connections will further support the commission’s overall mission to establish Gwinnett County as a premier sports destination.

“The Gwinnett Sports Commission team has excelled in attracting and managing a diverse array of sporting events over the past several years,” Anders added. “I look forward to working closely with this talented team to support their ongoing efforts and foster economic development for our community.”

For more information, visit exploregwinnett.org.

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Peachtree Corners Resident Receives Entrepreneurial Spirit Award

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man in black shirt, arms crossed in front of him, looking at camera

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.

man in cap sitting in front of a fireplace
photo courtesy of The PR Studio and Cooper & Co. Photography

“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.” 

man standing next to firewood delivery truck
Photo courtesy of The PR Studio and Cooper & Co. Photography

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.

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Cornerstone Christian Academy Named One of Atlanta’s Top Workplaces 2024

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image with Cornerstone Christian Academy logo and Top Work Places 2024 banner

Cornerstone Christian Academy was recently awarded a Top Workplaces 2024 honor by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Recipients of this annual award are chosen solely from employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by Energage, LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures multiple culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization, including alignment, execution and connection.

In addition to their place on the 2024 list, Cornerstone was also ranked number one among small businesses and won a special award for company “Communication.”

Three people on stage in front of an audience at an awards show honoring the #1 small business winner 2024

“We were extremely humbled to hear that we were not only named on the list, but ranked first among small companies,” shared Colin Creel, headmaster at Cornerstone. “I am very thankful our staff has received this public validation of the amazing work that occurs here at Cornerstone. Our staff deserves all of the accolades they are receiving; Cornerstone is a very special place because of them.”

2024 marks the 14th year the AJC has recognized metro Atlanta businesses with the Top Workplaces award. And it’s the third time that Cornerstone has been named to the top spot in their category. This year’s recipients were selected from over 9,000 nominated companies and honored at an awards ceremony held at the Georgia Aquarium on August 14.

For more information about Cornerstone Christian Academy, visit cornerstonecougars.org.

To learn more about Top Workplaces, visit topworkplaces.com.

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