a wonkalicious evening

My book club met last night at Ethel's Chocolate Lounge to discuss Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, both the book and the movie. It was actually a little ironic if you think about it. Willie Wonka's character is based on Mr. Hershey; Ethel's is owned by Mars.

Some time back when coming up for ideas for the book club, I really waned to discuss The Emperors of Chocolate (I had just learned that Hershey was opening a store on Michigan Avenue and figured it would be a great tie in and place to meet up). The book is about how Hershey and Mars got their starts in the chocolate business. Really though it is a study in marketing mayhem. After reading it you will realize that it truly can be dumb luck that keeps a business going.

I arrived a little early to hold the space upstairs and low and behold who was across the hall but Michael Mars himself! I wasn't able to pick him out, as he doesn't like to be photographed (and in all honestly they all looked very much alike). I only knew because I heard a couple of employees talking. It seemed like there was a little meeting of the marketing team to discuss Ethel's. Clearly the goal is to expand.

Mars Corp remains privately held. It has a most interesting corporate culture as a result. Everyone has a desk of equal size, and it is expected to be kept clean at all times. Reportedly there is also a basket of Mars candy for employees to snack on. It would be considered bad form to eat an entire candy bar though. Instead there is a cutting board and a knife where you can cut off a piece for yourself.

In true Mars form, when I peeked in the room where they had met, not a single truffle had been touched. The store employees had set out an arrangement with the various products Ethel's offers (so all the candy and drinks). Earlier another employee had removed a plate of fondue that didn't appear to be touched either. And I couldn't help but snicker when I saw the lot of them file out of the room with their matching black bags from Land's End with the initials MARS. As I said, it is a very intereting culture.

But back to book club. We had a new member. Lucky duck lives down the block! I'd be a giant truffle the likes of Violet Beauregarde if I lived that close (wait, I do live down the block from an Ethels). A few had read the book; a few had seen the movie. It made it a little hard to discuss, but it was okay. It is summer, and really it is good to just meet up and catch up on what is going on with everyone. We all laughed a lot and took breaks to eat chocolate. Honestly, what could be better?

currently reading :: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (Book 6)