BUSINESS 1r r Gayle Harte's Hand-dipped Truffles Tempt Loca Tastebuds. LESLEY PEARL Jewish News Intern L._ _1 hrough pastel walls and etched glass doors, the aroma of bitter- sweet and cap- puccino wafts down Washing- ton Avenue, tempting gour mets and Hershey lovers alike. Located between upbeat clothing,- comic book and an- tique shops in downtown Royal Oak, Gayle's Chocolates is a spot to relax, meet friends and consume calories — a far cry from its humble beginnings in Gayle Harte's Huntington Woods home 12 years ago. A cook with a flair for freshness, Ms. Harte wanted a business without giving up time with her children. After the Council of Orthodox Rabbis authorized her as a kosher chef, Ms. Harte started making pareve-kosher chocolates in a separate kosher kitchen. Armed with only a recipe for hand-dipped truffles, work- ing at home creating dessert delicacies seemed the perfect solution. She was wrong. A Hun- tington Woods occupancy clause permits in-home businesses to employ only those living on the premises. Through word of mouth, Ms. Harte's business had become popular enough to warrant extra help. So, in 1985, Gayle's Chocolates moved to its cur- rent location on Washington in Royal Oak with a loyal following of chocolate lovers and big-name business ac- counts like Silvers and the Merchant of Vino. With aspirations of high- volume wholesale and cor- porate clientele accounts, Ms. Harte said she is still surprised at the volume of her retail sales. Always looking for in- novative concepts, she regularly tests new recipes and creates custom-made designs. When she noticed an increased need for custom desserts, Ms. Harte jumped on the bandwagon. At the request of one party goer, she designed a huge chocolate and turtle Tiger Stadium. For her Jewish clientele, Ms. Harte wondered if a kosher kitchen would fill a need. "I researched different kinds of chocolate and found a premium brand that was approved by the rabbis," she said. After the Council of Or- thodox Rabbis authorized her as a kosher chef, Ms. Harte started making pareve-kosher chocolates in a separate, kosher kitchen. Although difficult, truffles can be made without butter and whipping cream, Ms. Harte said. "Kosher candy doesn't have to be tasteless," she added. Other area residents agreed because again word- of-mouth advertising brought Ms. Harte a new clientele — those looking for pareve goodies for their par- ties. In April of 1990, Ms. Harte expanded her investments again —this time moving up Woodward Avenue to Birm- ingham. All the chocolates are made in Royal Oak. Just as Ms. Harte's busi- ness appeared unstoppable, she discovered history often does repeat itself — she found herself at the mercy of legal clauses again. Early in the summer of 1990, Ms. Harte was ap- proached by some local musicians who asked to play music outside of the shop where she had set up a seating area. Never one to . I-. 0 0 0 0_ Gayle Harte leans back on her accomplishments and relaxes with a cup of coffee. shun new ideas, Ms. Harte agreed. It worked. Customers liked hearing live music without goihg to a bar, and the musicians liked playing for a sober crowd. However, someone didn't like it when the band emerged from the archway of the shop to the sidewalk. Ms. Harte now limits talent to the confines of her shop's archway four nights a week. A success story for any sweet tooth, Ms. Harte ad- mits to a constant battle waging between her crea- tions and her waistline. A self-proclaimed chocolate and sugar addict, Ms. Harte used to skip classes in col- lege to stay home and cook. Culinary school had never crossed her mind. "I do have an eating background though," Ms. Harte said. ❑ THE DETROIT JEWISH NEWS 67