Chocolatier Living the American Dream in Lakewood
Sweet Designs made the big stage last week with its partnership with Whole Foods Market to sell high-end chocolate bars for the national chain.
The American Dream has never been sweeter.
Ines Rehner, the owner of Sweet Designs, decided 20 years ago while still in her native Croatia that she wanted to own a chocolatier in the United States.
She'd never made chocolate before.
Not only did she succeed, but her business keeps growing.
Last week, Rehner’s little chocolate-shop-that-could made the big stage with a new partnership with Whole Foods Market to sell high-end chocolate bars.
“It just shows when you have a good product, people find out about all the good things you are doing,” Rehner said.
She moved to Lakewood from New York City more than 16 years ago. Her husband, John Rehner, who has an art studio next door (the Rehners own the building), suggested that they look at properties in Lakewood.
They found her first location on Madison Avenue on the first night they looked.
They’ve never looked back.
Right now, the Whole Foods on Cedar Road in Beachwood is the only store selling the chocolate bars, but other stores in the chain will likely sign on.
“This is going to be a long-term partnership,” Rehner said. “We’ve talked with other stores, and they are jealous.”
In This article
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Sweet Designs
16100 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH -
John Rehner Fine Art & Framing
16108 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH -
Whole Foods Market
27249 Chagrin Blvd, Beachwood, OH
Barbara
7:10 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Congratulations! It's nice to see a local business do well and receive the recognition they deserve. The products are amazing and the people are lovely.
Hol
8:21 am on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
This is a great shop and the staff is so friendly. I'm so happy to hear of this expansion into Whole Foods! Congratulations.
Janice Snyder
12:03 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I received my favorite key lime truffles from my husband for Valentine's Day! We've supported Ines since her Madison/Woodward days. Congratulations on your new partnership with Whole Foods. You are living the American dream! Thank you for your part in making Lakewood such a great place to live.
Ed Oliveros
1:13 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Compliments to Sweet Designs!!! Also compliments for the work Ines has done to improve their building. Hopefully more of the building owners along Detroit will invest in improving their property as Ines has done.
Deborah Maher
11:17 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Probably the best chocolates in the country, right here in my little town of Lakewood, Ohio. How lucky I am!!! I've been buying from her for years and every time I give a box of her chocolates to someone they FLIP OUT and have to know where the chocolates came from!! Her chocolates are extraordinary!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!