For 100 years, Li-Lac Chocolates has been keeping the tradition alive. A century ago, the founder of this world-famous company set foot on American soil and opened his chocolate shop in Greenwich Village. A long way from his native Greece, George Demetrious soon fell in love with New York City, and although there have been many changes to manufacturing these sweet treats, some things have never changed.
During the years in his native Greece, Demetrious was inspired by an abundance of French-style patisseries near his home. He moved to Paris in1904, where he soon found an apprenticeship in the confectionery trade. Arriving during the Belle Époque period, he was surrounded by some of the most talented and creative minds of the time, shaping his thinking and kicking off his chocolate career.
A NEW WORLD
In 1914, Demitrious boarded a passenger ship. He arrived in Manhattan to begin immersing himself in the pulse and culture of New York City life, which was experiencing a chocolate boom at the time. Demetrious continued to learn and perfect his trade, opening his shop in 1923 Christopher Street in the heart of Greenwich Village. He implemented his knowledge in quality and innovation to create the cornerstone of what Li-Lac Chocolates is today.
The brand has become a New York icon. It has survived The Great Depression, six wars, and many modern innovations but always remains true to its tradition. Maintaining the same single-minded focus on product quality, the confections are handmade daily using many original techniques and equipment. Each of the five generations of owners has been involved in production, taking the time to ensure Li-Lac prioritizes quality and preserving its history over efficiency and profit.
CONFECTION PERFECTION
Fast forward to 2023: owners Anthony Cirone, Chris Taylor, and Anwar Khoder have moved the company forward and expanded it to six locations: Hudson Yards, West Village Greenwich Avenue, Bleecker Street, Grand Central Market, Chelsea Market, and the Brooklyn Factory and store at Industry City. The team has broadened Li-Lac’s selection of confections to include specialty molds, including the Statue of Liberty and Empire State Building, now offering more than 120 items, making it one of the world’s largest selections of gourmet chocolates.
Cirone is proud there is a solid fan base central to its success over the decades. The company has garnered generations of families—even people who have moved away. To the delight of these longtime fans, the Li-Lac team has worked to preserve Demetrious’ original recipes and techniques. Even the tools used to make confections are authentic, like the massive marble tables taken from the original Christopher Street location, or similar in style, like the large copper kettles used to cook the brand’s famous fudge.
Every confection in the brand’s portfolio of more than 120 items is handmade at its Industry City factory, lined with windows that allow guests to peek in at the process. You can watch a worker place individual pieces of glacé fruit onto the belt, or another skillfully funnel chocolate onto a tray lined with rainbow sprinkles to make nonpareils. Li-Lac designed the Industry City factory as a “showpiece” to highlight the fresh, small-batch nature of everything they do.
FUDGE, MARZIPAN AND LOTS MORE
Cirone describes the handcrafted nature of Li-Lac’s confections as a “labor of love.” Li-Lac staples, including its marzipan acorns, are made fresh daily using Demetrious’s original recipe and hand-dipped in dark chocolate. Master chocolatier Anwar Khoder is usually seen near the large copper kettles used to make the brand’s legendary fudge, which is slowly cooked over two hours. At the back of the factory, watch workers fill molds in various shapes—from the Empire State Building to a life-size football to a chocolate turkey that measures 10 inches tall—making sure to evenly distribute the mixture to ensure every crevice is filled with chocolate
Li-Lac draws its most significant business in the Candy Case, where curating your custom chocolate box is possible. It’s an old-school tradition that this enduring brand is best known for, and Li-Lac has benefitted from keeping things classic rather than jumping on trends. Cirone and his partners regularly review its selection of what’s selling best—and continue to be famous.
One thing is for sure: old-school chocolate always stays in style. And for Anthony Cirone, Chris Taylor, and Anwar Khoder, that means keeping traditions alive this Holiday season—and beyond.
For more information on Li-Lac Chocolates,
visit lilacchocolates.com