Annegret's Fine European Chocolates opened its doors in October, and owners Robert and Annegret Jung say they have already have a loyal customer base in Medicine Hat. From left are owners Robert and Annegret Jung, chocolatier in training Trudy Loewen, and store manager Benita Lane.--NEWS PHOTO KELLEN TANIGUCHI
ktaniguchi@medicinehatnews.com@@kellentaniguchi
After 18 successful years making chocolate in Kelowna, Annegret’s Fine European Chocolates has set up shop in Medicine Hat.
Robert and Annegret Jung operated their chocolate store in B.C. since 2002, but when their lease was up in August, they decided to move to Medicine Hat to be closer to their daughter and two grandchildren. Just a couple months later, they decided to open a chocolate shop.
“It’s what we do. We are chocolate people,” said Robert. “As long as people like what we are doing, that’s what we will do.”
Annegret has been making chocolate in Canada since 1997, but she was also making it when she lived in Bamberg, Germany. Robert is from Nuremberg, Germany and the couple first moved to Canada in 1996.
After more than 20 years as a chocolatier, Annegret says there are many reasons she continues to do it today.
“I think my passion is to make the chocolate and offering a super good product, which I’m proud I don’t use any artificial flavours or colours … I also use natural vanilla, which I get as a product from Belgium,” said Annegret. “I love what I’m doing and making people happy.”
The Medicine Hat store – 101-1235 Southview Dr. – has been busy since it opened, and Robert says they were optimistic because they were selling at a market in the city last year and the response was positive.
“It looks very promising,” said Robert. “We have already built up loyal customers and we were lucky to be able to find a good team.”
The wide variety of chocolate is all made and packaged in store, and Annegret has even designed some chocolate Easter bunnies for the upcoming holiday.
However, the sales are not just coming from Medicine Hat – Annegret’s is shipping chocolate to their loyal customers in Kelowna. Annegret said they also ship their product to cities in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Quebec.
“We still have a lot of customers which are really dear to us and they keep in contact with us … it’s nice that they stay with us,” she said.
Annegret and Robert don’t plan on leaving the Hat anytime soon and Robert says they also make their own gelato, which should hit the streets this summer.
“I just want to make a living and spoil some people,” said Annegret. “Being here is nice, the people are nice and we love it here in Medicine Hat.”
