180: Maria Harvey

Owner/Operator, Lorah’s Handmade Chocolates

If it has to do with chocolates, this 51-year-old family-owned business does it all - 100 plus flavors of candies, pairing with wineries and other businesses for special events, and being involved with many fundraisers. The fundraiser she was involved in the day of the interview was to raise money for women with terminal cancer, to help offset funeral expenses.

With a smile on her face Maria said, “Fortunately chocolate was deemed essential.” Business was mainly seasonal for her, until in 2019 when she bought a camper. The business became a food truck. Now she can and does do business year-round.

During the pandemic, when indoor dining was not happening, she says, “People shifted. Instead of doing fairs and festivals, they did food trucks. There were even food truck festivals.” This actually helped her business. She said the three months prior to this interview were her busiest yet. People felt comfortable dealing with her because it was an outside (out of doors) venue.

She was very happy to be providing something that made people happy during this time, because she herself knows how difficult it was to not see and gather with family. For instance, her daughter is in the Navy and they weren’t able to see each other.

Maria says, “I hope people continue to appreciate the little things, like getting together…and seeing someone smile.” She hopes, “the kindness shown during the pandemic continues….that we all slow down…relax…talk, we got away from these things.” She hopes families get together to enjoy a meal, even if it’s from a food truck.