TAMPA, Fla. — What started within the Hamptons has migrated all the best way to Tampa. This 12 months, a brand new chocolate enterprise moved into Sparkman Wharf and you would say that their secret ingredient is brotherly love.
Austin and Grant Gappelberg all the time dreamed of someday following of their household’s footsteps and opening their very own Hampton Chocolate Factory. They simply didn’t assume it could occur in Tampa or so quickly, contemplating they’re solely 21 and 19.
Austin and Grant have been born into chocolate, rising up working for the household enterprise.
“We basically were in it since the beginning, going to farmers markets, and we were in the store every day during the summer,” older brother Austin said. “Instead of hanging out with friends, we were in the store.”
But when the pandemic hit, these brothers say the Hamptons went from the sweet life to the stale life.
“So we spent our whole COVID in Naples, in Florida, kind of fell in love with Florida,” Austin said. “My family threw out the idea because I was at the University of Delaware previously, they said ‘why don’t you transfer?'”
Austin started attending the University of Tampa, immersing himself in their Spartan Excelerator and Incubator Program.
“Next thing you know, Grant decides he’s going to follow me down here,” he continued. “Now we are both here in Tampa, and what did we do? We brought the Hampton Chocolate Factory to Tampa.”
In January, they opened up their first location at Sparkman Wharf, but this time with no parental supervision. They are the bosses now.
“We grew up living in the same room. We shared a bedroom, so we’ve learned how to communicate, and that definitely helps us run this business,” Grant mentioned.
They’d wish to assume they’re placing a brand new twist on an previous favourite, equivalent to their Frozen S’extra and big ice cream cone.
“My dad always said, ‘You guys as a team are unbelievable,’” Austin mentioned.
The solely factor greater than their cones is their ardour to proceed the household legacy proper right here of their new hometown.
“We’re beyond proud. What we are doing is spreading the chocolate love,” Austin mentioned.