By Courtney Nguyen
Correspondent
June 11, 2008 12:02 am GEORGETOWN — After five years in business, owners Lonnie and Dianne Brennan will close their candy store, The Chocolate Cellar, on June 21. The decision to sell was not an easy one, Brennan said. After Dianne's father had a stroke last summer, business was cut back to three days per week. "(Dianne's parents) were the mainstay of the weekday business," Brennan said. "I work, Dianne works part time, we have three kids. It's been a juggling act. Business is steady, but it's difficult only being open three days a week." Brennan said that the family was discussing summer plans and realized that they would have to close two weekends in July. Then, they decided to just take July off. "Then, we decided that if we were going to close in July, why not just close the whole summer and take a break? That led into the decision to close for good," he said. "The economy sure is down for retailers, so we're not gushering money, but after five years, we have a fantastic customer base," Brennan said. In addition to chocolates, the business specializes in selling dairy and nut-free products, old-fashioned candy, and more than 500 styles of balloons. In order to sell off remaining inventory, The Chocolate Cellar will donate half of all sales on June 14 to the Music Parents. "We'd like to encourage music booster parents to join us to help scoop slush or anything else that day," Brennan said. "For me, it's always been a fun place," he said. "People who eat chocolate are typically happy people. I'm convinced that you can accomplish anything in this world with determination, practice, teamwork, vision, hard work and chocolate." The Brennans are asking $20,000 for the whole kit and caboodle, including inventory and a loyal customer base.
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