LAKEWOOD, Ohio -- A photo hanging in front of the Sweet Designs Chocolatier store currently finds patrons asking, “How much is that doggie in the window?”
“Well, actually, it’s free to the person who wins it,” Sweet Designs Chocolatier General Manager Carly Moran said. “It’s part of our essay contest. I believe the retail value is $350.”
Pet portrait artist Renee Fisher painted “Otis the dog.” (Photo Courtesy of Renee Fisher)
While the Detroit Avenue candy store -- known for handmade gourmet chocolate confections, including creamy truffles, salted caramels, and organic and vegan chocolates -- periodically holds contests via its email newsletter “Truffles,” this pet essay is a promotion born out of their customers’ obvious love for their canine friends.
“The idea came from the fact that Renee Fisher is on staff and is an artist who, in addition to being responsible for our hand-painted chocolates, in her free time paints pet portraits,” Moran said.
“We thought, our customers love dogs and Renee is really great at painting pet portraits, so why not reward our customers for following us and give somebody a chance to have their custom pet portrait made.”
The original essay (250 words or less) should answer the question “Why your dog is the most deserving canine on the planet?” With a deadline of July 24, emailed entries should include name, phone number and dog’s name. Each essay will be evaluated by a panel of dog-loving judges, with the winner announced in the August newsletter.
“Sweet Designs is a small business and it’s really team-oriented,” Moran said. “We really value all of our employees’ skills and talents. Also, we thank our customers for supporting us through such a difficult year. This is just something fun and new we’re trying.”
The irony, of course, regarding a chocolate store holding a dog essay contest is that the sweet treat is toxic to dogs.
“That’s true, but our thinking was Lakewood is actually a very pet-friendly community,” Moran said. “We have a lot of customers who walk by with their dogs. There’s the pooch parade. So we thought to integrate where we are in Cleveland and people’s local interests with chocolate.”
If the dog essay contest proves to be popular, Moran said there’s a possibility Sweet Designs Chocolatier will do it again.
“So far, the response has been really good,” Moran said. “We really only planned to do it once, but we would keep our minds open to doing it another time. We’ll see.”
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