CocoAndré is celebrating their 15th Valentine’s Day in business.
DALLAS — At CocoAndre Chocolatier, the day before Valentine’s Day is both exhausting and exciting for mother-daughter ownership duo Andrea Pedraza and Cindy Pedraza.
As they mark their 15th Valentine’s Day in business, the Dallas chocolatiers face unprecedented challenges with cocoa prices reaching record highs. Thankfully, they were great with an endless stream of customers Thursday, eager to secure their holiday treats.
“Everything just went up and skyrocketed,” Cindy Pedraza told WFAA, explaining how she has had to adjust their business strategy to remain cost-effective while maintaining quality.
Each customer means so much to them. Including Tray Welch, who visited the store Thursday to purchase Valentine’s gifts for his wife of 28 years.
“I was praying on the way over here that they were open,” Welch said, adding that he opted for their biggest available teddy bear to “go over the top” this year.
For Andrea Pedraza, the joy of their craft lies in the customers’ reactions.
“Nobody returns this, and nobody says it doesn’t fit,” she says, noting the universal appeal of their handcrafted chocolates.
Despite the economic pressures, the Pedrazas find fulfillment in their role in customers’ celebrations.
“It’s really sweet to see people buying for teachers, or their friends, or their spouses,” says Pedraza-Parker, who embraces the holiday rush. “I kind of like the chaos.”
The shop will remain open on Valentine’s Day, though they caution that popular flavors may sell out.
