A family run business in Raleigh, N.C. makes chocolates that are as rich as the state capital's history. Videri is a chocolate factory in downtown Raleigh where visitors can get a front row seat to the chocolate making process.
The name Videri comes from the North Carolina state motto which is 'Esse quam videri,' Latin for 'to be rather than to seem'. Which manager, Roxanne Ejlali, says is the factory's "whole philosophy of being open and transparent. You can see the chocolate being made."
Videri supports North Carolina with both its name and its business.
"We get to work with a lot of local farm to table restaurants and deal with other farmers and it's, Raleigh especially is such a nice community," Ejlali said. "Where we are, the warehouse district, is growing really quickly and being a part of that warehouse district and being a part of that community we get to collaborate with a lot of cool things."
The building is a piece of Raleigh history located in the original Raleigh train depot. Ejlali said the historic architecture adds character to Videri.
"[It] really sets the tone. But it was the original depot for the train station, so it's nice to be a part of a little piece of Raleigh history."
Ejlali, who has lived in Raleigh her whole life, said the area has grown into a tourist destination.
"To watch the rapid change and the development and all of the neat businesses that are coming into downtown because they want to be in downtown Raleigh, it's just been incredible," she said.
To find out more about the factory, visit the Videri website.
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