KANSAS CITY, Mo. — While Kansas City did not receive a Swiss Alps kind of snow on Wednesday, many Kansas Citians got a day off work and school, but one local chocolate shop didn't have that option because it's busy bringing a piece of Switzerland to Kansas City for Valentine's Day.
"The heart tortes are something we make hundreds of this time of year," René Bollier, president and executive pastry chef of André’s, said.
Like a snow day, André’s brings back good memories for Bollier.
"When I was a little kid, my dad would let me get on the rack and he would rotate me around," Bollier said of a rotating oven. "With the oven not being on."
Bollier followed in the footsteps of his dad and grandfather; he's the third generation to run the shop.
In 1955, his grandfather emigrated to Kansas City from Switzerland.
"So, Switzerland, in my opinion, makes some of the best chocolate in the world," Bollier said.
Bollier spent three years in Switzerland studying the art of pastry.
André’s imports its chocolate from Switzerland, and its recipe doesn't use preservatives or additives.
On Valentine's Day, Kansas City wants a piece. It's André’s second-busiest day of the year.
"On the 14th, all the sudden, the doors just flood with people," Bollier said.
Valentine's Day preparation is in full swing.
"The snow is definitely not ideal for business right before Valentine's Day," he said.
Bollier said many members of his packaging team did not make it to work on Wednesday.
"We don't want anyone to put themselves in danger just to make some chocolate, although that's important to me," Bollier said.
But, the production must go on.
"What makes Valentine's Day so interesting is that it is always so last minute," Bollier said.
Bollier says he loves the "insanity" of the rush for Valentine's Day, because André’s loves the Kansas City community.
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