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Leonidas is a Belgian chocolate company that produces chocolate and other related products. The company was started in 1913 by Greek-Cypriot American confectioner Leonidas Kestelides in Ghent although he first began producing his chocolate in the U.S. Even so, according to author and editor Mort Rosenblum, Leonidas chocolate is “real Belgian chocolate, fairly priced, and plenty of people like it.” Its maintenance has been passed down through Leonidas Kestelides’ descendants over the years. Leonidas has 350 shops in Belgium and nearly 1,250 stores in around 50 countries including 340 in France. Leonidas has become one of the highest producing, widespread chocolate companies in the world.

=History= Brussels is considered the “chocolate capital of the world” because it is home to more chocolate factories than any other city on earth. The well-known chocolate makers of Brussels have worked at their trade for over a century. Cocoa beans first entered Europe in the late 16th century when Spanish explorers brought them back from Mexico; it took a century for them to reach Belgium. Belgian chocolate started building its impressive reputation in the late 1800s when King Leopold II harvested cocoa crops in the colonized African Congo. In 1920, Greek-Cypriot American confectioner Leonidas Kestelides (or Kestekidis) founded the Leonidas chocolate brand after marrying Joanna Teerlinck, a young lady from Brussels. He first came to Belgium to attend the Brussels Universal Exhibition at the Brussels World Fair of 1910 as a member of the Greek delegation from the United States. He presented his chocolate at the fair and won a bronze medal. In 1913, he opened a tea room in Ghent. In 1924, Leonidas opened Pâtisserie Centrale, a tea-room on Rue Paul Delvaux in Brussels. His predecessor Basilio opened his own workshop at 58 Boulevard Anspach; Leonidas’ business was growing rapidly in size and popularity. In 1935, Basilio turned his workshop into a shop after being accused by the police of street trading. An exponential growth period began in 1950 while Basilio opened a "Laboratoroire de Pralines” (Laboratory of Chocolates) at 20 Vieux Marché aux Grains. He also opened a tea-room in Blankenberge. The first store outside of Belgium opened in Lille, France in 1969. The brand eventually goes international selling in Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Holland, at Harrods in London and even in Athens. The New York store opened in 1991.

Name and Symbol
In 1937, Basilio officially protects his product with the brand and logo of Leonidas. The company was named after its founder. More specifically, the name and design of the symbol originate from the marble statue in the Sparta Museum entitled Leonidas, in which the Greek hero-king of Sparta is depicted. The tone of the physical appearance of the boxed chocolate was described as “no nonsense packaging with a daunting logo. The symbol serves as evidence that indeed Spartan myth is a key element in European and Western culture traditions.

Family Ownership
In 1922, the rest of Leonidas’ family moved to Ghent partially due to political events in Greece. Among them was Leonidas’ 19-year-old nephew, Basilio, who inherited his uncle’s trade after they developed a father-son relationship. Basilio was known for being business savvy. Leonidas died in 1948 and left the business to him. Basilio died on April 2, 1970, and his brothers and sisters become heirs to the Belgian chocolate company. It was also listed on stock exchange in 1970 although family still played a role in its administration. Jean Kesdekoglu-Kestekides administered the business from 1970 to 1985 and wanted to protect the difference between his company and those of Americans. In 1985, Maria Kesdekoglu-Kestekides takes over the company when her father dies. Her brother Dimitrios Kestekoglou and their German cousin Vassiliki Kestekidou join her in maintaining the business.

=Product and Store Details= Leonidas is one of the biggest chocolate companies in the world. The address of the original Leonidas store is 41 Place du Grand Sablon and the phone number is (32-2)513-1466. Until 1966, a kilogram of chocolate could be bought for 3.30 dollars (approximately 2.50 euros) as opposed to the price of 21.80 euros per kilogram of chocolate in 2012. In 1983, Leonidas made the most filled chocolates of the Belgian chocolate producers and did not export past London. The fresh butter and cream used in Leonidas chocolate makes them expire faster and more difficult to export. When preservatives were added to the product, the freshest dairy cream was no longer usable. Still, Leonidas chocolate must be eaten within 49 days, which is six weeks minus transportation. Despite its growth as a company, Leonidas is well-respected and still Belgian. The goods are made in an old plant not far from Brussels and flown at low temp to far stores in locations like New York City. The address of the New York location is 485 Madison Ave. between 51st and 52nd St.; the phone number is (212) 980-2608. The old Crown-Baele factory at 41-43 Graindor Boulevard in Anderlecht remains the company headquarters. In 1993, the Rue au Beurre shop was opened. It is the largest Leonidas shop in the world with a staff of 20. In 2012, Leonidas has 350 shops in Belgium and nearly 1,250 stores in around 50 countries including 340 in France. Some Leonidas stores include a half-open counter to sell pralines to passersby. Rosemary Black, a New York Daily News writer describes a staff member at the New York location as a “helpful, very knowledgeable salesperson.” The company has always promoted the motto, “democracy in chocolate.” Kurt Kroothoep, representative of Leonidas in North America, explains, “Our philosophy is still that you shouldn’t have to be rich to enjoy really good chocolate.”

=Criticism and Competition= Some smaller, more traditional Belgian chocolate makers become uneasy when the larger Belgian chocolate companies such as Godiva, Neuhaus, and Leonidas are mentioned. They feel as if those companies have drifted too far away from the artisan-ship of chocolate making. They question the legitimacy of the chocolate in larger companies because larger firms have changed its culture. Some, such as Paul Cartledge, professor of Greek History at The University of Cambridge, are simply “partial to the luxury chocolates made by the Belgian firm of Leonidas.” He views free Leonidas chocolate samples at a London location as a bribe to buy coffee. In his book, Thermopylae: The Battle That Changed the World, he comes to the conclusion that luxury chocolates are “self-indulgent, non-ascetic, want-satisfying fripperies.”

=Cultural Impact= Leonidas takes great pride in its ingredients and price. It is a well-known, specialty brand. The company especially strives to keep its chocolate accessible for the middle class. Nevertheless, celebrities have shown significant interest in the chocolate brand. Michelle Vanlochem of Leonidas Chocolates in Los Angeles was sited wrapping presents filled with Leonidas confections for Emmy winners Patricia Heaton of "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Frasier's" David Hyde Pierce. The celebrity favorite treats are known to be milk chocolate with a fresh banana cream center, fruit jellies, and dark chocolate with fresh vanilla cream. Vanlochem assures, “The candies are shipped in fresh every week from Belgium and have a large celebrity following. They won't be disappointed with anything they eat, I promise!"

=See Also= belgian chocolate

Chocolate

Cocoa beans

Leonidas

Godiva

Neuhaus

Paul Cartledge

Godiva

=References=

=External Links= www.leonidas.com/splash

http://www.leonidas-chocolate.com/

http://www.belgiumchocolate.com/