While some shoppers believe good gifts come in the form of things, some mothers say the best gifts come in the form of food.
And there’s no other time of year when the food choices are more decadent, innovative and in-demand than during the holidays.
Luckily, there are a number of mother-owned businesses that give shoppers the opportunity to capitalize on two huge market trends right now: gourmet food and eating locally.
Whether it’s drizzled in chocolate, dipped in caramel or coated with peppermint, these sweet treats are sure to satisfy the most stubborn sweet tooth. Meanwhile, you’re gifting fresh ingredients that weren’t shipped cross-country.
And remember, when it comes to the holidays, mom does it best.
Perfect squares
Baking brownies since the third grade, Gail Eisenberg began her business 10 years ago after a friend asked her to bake for her restaurant.
But in the past two years, she’s been able to double down her efforts, working 12-hour days, six days a week. She expanded her product line into gifting and institutional accounts, selling to restaurants, country clubs and retail stores. She now finds herself shipping her product nationwide.
“I’ve doubled my business so far since last year,” said the Northbrook mom, who develops recipes in her own kitchen and uses a commercial space in Buffalo Grove to produce her product. “The holidays is my busiest time of year. They’re buying them for personal or even corporate gifting.”
Eisenberg said it’s not uncommon to get her flavor ideas from her daughter, Jenny, a senior at the University of Iowa. Altogether, there are eight flavors of brownies and four flavors of dessert bars in the product line.
Just this summer, Gail launched a Razzle Dazzle Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie, which now ranks among her most popular along with S’more Double Fudge Brownie and Cook Dough Caramel Crunch.
“I try to differentiate myself from other brownie companies so that they’re uniquely gourmet and I use the finest ingredients. … The flavors, the way I put them together, you can’t find them anywhere else,” she said.
Gail’s latest accomplishment is being chosen by Giordano’s pizza as one of several local dessert add-on items for online shoppers. She’s been featured on the website since early November and will be available through Valentine’s Day and perhaps even longer.
After tackling her business head-on these past few years and seeing progress to show for it, Gail said there’s two business practices on which she never compromises.
“No matter what, I always take care of my customers,” she said. “And quality is really, really important.”
A tin or box of Gail’s Brownies ranges from $10 to $36 with an array of gifting options at www.gailsbrownies.com. Or find them locally at Arriva Dolce coffee house in Highland Park and The Glenview Grind coffee house.
A Mom ‘n’ Pop business
You don’t get more family-run than Highland Pop in Highland Park.
Kimberly Silvestri Cohen makes small batches of her gourmet popcorn and fudge every day — just like her mother taught her.
In 2012, the HP resident opened a storefront in her hometown at 1822 2nd St. Unfortunately, shortly after opening, the Highland Park Theatre closed down across the street.
“It was terrible for business, and I said I have to look into other ways of making money,” she said.
With renewed energy, Cohen focused on catering and whole sale. She soon landed a contract with Levy Restaurants, Ravinia Festival and a number of specialty grocery stores. Today, she is represented by a national distributor.
“We just grew the business,” she said. “We’re small-town and we’re old-school. We love the people that come in here, and we want to feed them.”
The operation is truly a family effort, as husband Lyle, a criminal defense attorney, closes each day with her in the shop and kids Adam, Karaline and Alivia help out on weekends and summers.
Locally, you can find Highland Pop popcorn at Caputo’s or Sunset Foods. Or you can simply “pop by” the storefront.
“We have old-fashioned candy, Italian ice — you can spend 10 cents in my store if you wanted to,” said Cohen, noting that her products are nut-free, gluten-free and kosher. “We have buckets and tins for around $10; that’s where we start, and it goes up to $75.”
The unique range of popcorn flavors include birthday cake, peppermint, s’more, Cajun, garlic, pizza pie, sour apple, bubble gum and any combination thereof.
“It is the best popcorn you’ve ever tasted. It’s fresh every day, and we stand behind our quality,” said the Queen of Pop. “And we have the utmost respect and value for our customers.”
Visit www.highlandpop.com to view all the flavors and place an order.
Not your mother’s toffee
Robin Fields began her business with the mantra that toffee should be buttery, crunchy and loaded with toppings.
That sweet strategy landed Toffee Break Desserts as a featured gift on QVC during the holidays last year. Fields, a Buffalo Grove mother of four, sold her product herself on air — after passing the required “QVC school” — and said she had a lot of fun in the process.
“It was great; it was really, really great. We have customers now from all over the country,” she said.
Fields has been operating Toffee Break in Northbrook since 2004. Her gourmet flavors include mocha latte, streusel and pretzel. Her top-sellers are cookies ‘n’ cream and raspberry. Her current flavor of the month is Hot Cinnamon Toffee.
Gifts start at just $14.50 and can go as high as $300 for party trays.
“We also can fit anybody’s budget into a nice gift,” she said. “The best thing to do is to call ahead because we package everything fresh to order, which can be done via Internet or phone, and then they can pick up here.”
As for business, Fields said she has learned to take advantage of connections everywhere she goes.
“Just be open to meet everybody — you never know,” she advised her fellow entrepreneurs. “Sometimes there’s connections in front of your nose and you don’t realize it. A friend had a connection to someone who showed products to QVC. They showed it and loved it, and it aired.”
Visit www.toffeebreakdesserts.com to shop for gifts or call (847) 564-5131.