Diane Krulac, owner, Brittle Bark and Cocoa Creek Chocolates, Mechanicsburg, PA
By Karen Hendricks
I recently met two female business owners who seem to defy their ages.
Diane Krulac, 68, is enjoying her third career as a chocolatier. She launched Brittle Bark, Mechanicsburg, PA in 2008 and recently expanded the candy shop’s lineup to include two new chocolate brands, Cocoa Creek Chocolates and Luther’s Bars.
“You’re never too old to continue your dream,” says Krulac. “As I tell people, there is nothing I’d rather do in retirement than what I’m doing now, so why would I retire?”
Meantime, nearby in Gettysburg, PA, Cheri Ann Freeman, 72, recently opened Chez Cheri Café, a culmination of her restaurant and catering expertise which began in 1973.
It’s especially noteworthy that both of these women work in one of the most demanding fields, the restaurant/food industry. Maybe their “recipes for success” stem from their recipes in the kitchen, combined with their strong work ethics?
Enjoy their inspiring stories, in the May issues of the following magazines:
Mechanicsburg’s Sweet Spot: Cocoa Creek Chocolates launches unique line, Susquehanna Style, May 2019
Worldly Flavors, Friendly Faces: Chez Cheri Cafe, Celebrate Gettysburg, May/June 2019
And here’s a behind-the-scenes look at both businesses, during my time visiting and interviewing both women, to learn the stories behind their success: (Click any photo to launch the gallery.)
So, it was my absolute pleasure to write The Heart of the Holidays: There are No Better Sights and Sounds than on Lincoln Square at Christmastime for Celebrate Gettysburg magazine, the cover story for the Nov/Dec 2015 issue. 