Rudi Hauser Jr. of Hauser Chocolatier has announced his company’s purchase of Tom & Sally’s Handmade Chocolates. The acquisition, Hauser’s second in five years, closed in mid-August; Hauser has since relocated Tom & Sally’s operations to its Westerly, R.I. facility.

 

"This is a bittersweet moment, but we feel the long-term success of the company would best be served by merging the company with another well-established chocolate manufacturer," ays Tom Fegley, co-owner of Tom & Sally’s. "Tom and Sally's will be in very good hands with this second-generation, family-run, chocolate manufacturing business. Hauser has an outstanding reputation in the industry."

 

As Tom & Sally look forward to their next challenge, all employees were invited to join Hauser Chocolatier.

 

Tom and Sally's Handmade Chocolates opened for business April 29, 1989, in a storefront in downtown Brattleboro, V.T. The business expanded over the next 10 years. In 2000, Tom and Sally's consolidated its operations at 485 West River Road.

 

Tom and Sally's manufacturers high-end chocolates and novelty candies for sale mainly via the wholesale market. The company boasts thousands of accounts throughout the United States and abroad. Known for its high quality, Tom and Sally's won fourteen national awards, including "Finalist for Outstanding Confection" at the New York Fancy Food Show; the company also was named Small Business Persons of the year by the State of Vermont in 1998.

 

Most recently, the company ventured into the manufacture of 100% organic chocolates. The company's line of fourteen flavors of "100% Organic Skinny Bars" has experienced major commercial success, having been placed in the North East Region of Whole Foods Markets and Nordstrom Espresso Bars on a national basis.

 

Hauser Chocolatier is a manufacturer of fine truffles and assorted chocolates, sold wholesale through its Rhode Island facility as well as at retail through its stores in Westerly and Bethel, Conn., and online at www.hauserchocolates.com. Hauser also makes dessert sauces, chocolate dessert cups and hollow chocolate truffle shells, specializing in private label and co-manufacturing. The company has had a working relationship with Tom & Sally’s for the past 18 years, producing its famous, original Chocolate Body Paint.

 

“We have known Tom & Sally for many years and have always admired the creativity and whimsy of their products,” says Rudi Hauser, Jr., President of Hauser Chocolatier. “Tom and Sally’s product line will be a wonderful addition to ours.”