DeFluri’s Fine Chocolates
by Audrey Knapp photos by Josh Triggs Is all chocolate really the same? No, it isn’t! In fact, there’s an incredible difference when you compare big label chocolates to the lovingly-crafted products of ambitious, visionary and brave chocolatiers. These are small business owners who dare to open their shops in the face of global competition, economic woes, and a cultural attitude inclined toward paying as little as possible regardless of the level of quality of a product or service. Brenda Casabona of DeFluri’s Fine Chocolates is one of these brave spirits, maintaining a thriving business built on the desire to provide carefully crafted chocolates and candies to her favorite community. Passion and dedication really are by Audrey Knapp photos by Josh Triggs what sets Brenda apart from the crowd. By trade, she was an International Economist with an extensive education and a great career that took her to Europe. During a stint in London, the generous vacation time offered by her employer found her in need of a hobby. After having access to such an extensive variety of chocolates available in Europe, she decided to begin experimenting with it in her free time. That was a critical point in her life as a chocolatier – it gave her the opportunity to learn about chocolate, and how it reacts and pairs with different ingredients. It also instilled her with a passion for the innate complexity of chocolate and the delicious moments of joy that it can bring to people. Upon her return to the United States, she found herself in a job which she called “boring,” and decided she wanted a career change. Yet, she didn’t want just any career change – she wanted to do something that she could really enjoy, something that excited her, something she could be passionate about. After some in-depth market research and intense personal and professional preparation, Brenda opened her first business, as both a bakery and fine chocolate maker, in Vienna, Va. She hired a staff and began producing and selling her chocolates in 1985. Her very first employee was Charlie Casabona. While she had the indepth knowledge of chocolate, she really needed someone who had manufacturing experience. They were a complementary pair, and from their passion for chocolate and dedication to always doing their best, they grew a love between one another that led to marriage. Today they still work hand-inhand, each taking care and responsibility for different aspects of the business so that everything will work well together. They moved to the heart of downtown Martinsburg after tiring of the big city bustle that comes with the D.C. area. A small...
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