2022: A Year in Review
The beginning of a new year ushers in an urge to start off on the right step. Whether it's a new workout routine, changing our diet, or wanting to save more money, we come into the new year with a laundry list of goals we want to master, and January is the month when those actions toward our goals take place. Yet, how often do we set time aside to reflect on the year prior? How often do we set time aside to reflect on the wins and losses of the previous year? Well, we at Chico’s want to take that time to reflect on 2022 and all the milestones we’ve set. There’s a saying that goes “you don't know where you're going until you know where you've been” so here are a few moments that made our 2022, that’s paving the way for our 2023!
Our Trip to Huntsville Alabama: Never forgetting where we came from and paying homage, we made a worthwhile decision to take the time to honor our roots, restore our energy and enjoy our family. So, we packed up our bags, gassed up our cars, and made the 7-hour road trip down South to Huntsville, Alabama. There lives our Aunt Eddie Mae, one of the oldest elders on Papa’s side of the family. For five days, we gathered together listening to Aunt Eddie Mae share stories about her and Papa growing up in Alabama during early Jim Crow, about family we have yet to meet, and about family we haven’t seen in a month of Sundays. She encouraged us. She prayed for us. She constantly told us how proud Papa was of all his grandkids. She reminded us of the motivation behind our company which is family and legacy.
The Wendy’s Bridal Show: We brought in the New Year with a BANG, by debuting our wedding display and dessert menu at the 2022 Wendy’s Bridal Show at the Duke Energy Center located in downtown Cincinnati. People were in awe over our Cheesecake Bites and Cheesecake Squares, set in petite domes, along with our elegant Keepsake Cheesecake Jars. By the end of the evening, hundreds of samples were served, future consultations were scheduled, and connections were made over a single bite of cheesecake!
Finding a home at Findlay Market: If you're from Cincy or have lived here long enough, you know of Findlay Market. So, when we announced our partnership with them in March 2022, the excitement and support from everyone was abundant! All of our desserts are produced in Findlay Kitchen so vending with the market appeared a win-win situation. During the Spring and Summer, most Saturday mornings, bright and early, we along with other fantastic businesses and farmers construct our mobile shops to serve the beautiful people of Cincinnati. Findlay Market hosts a monthly tasting where patrons can purchase tickets and go to different shops to sample tasty foods while discovering new local businesses. These tastings are usually held on Sundays and can get pretty jammed-packed yet you’re destined for a great time plus a few goodies along the way.
Second on Main Summer Events: During the Summer of 2022, you could catch us out and about all over Cincinnati! In June 2022, Chico’s set up shop each second Sunday downtown on Main Street with the OTR’s Chamber of Commerce Second Sunday on Main Street Festival. Every Sunday centered on a different theme, celebrating the vibrant and diverse cultures here in Cincinnati. It was a super dope time, no doubt, especially Pride on Main in June and Blink! On Main in October.
Taste of Cincinnati: Talk about one of the biggest highlights of our summer! In the Spring of 2022, huge events were slowly making their way back to the Queen City. So, when the city announced that the Taste of Cincinnati was making its way back in 2022, we had to jump on board and be a part of our hometown's history. Being that this was our first year ever participating, excitement and a bag of nerves kept us going as we prepared for the Taste and our hard work was not in vain! The love and support we received were overwhelming. Our team worked non-stop, dishing out cheesecake cups and chatting them up with folks from all over the country. Not only was the energy magnetic, but our products also flew off the shelves! Granted, the beginning of our day was filled with finding parking, hauling equipment and cheesecakes, plus putting up tents but by sunset, we sold out three times, ending the evening with over five hundred products sold in total. Our biggest lesson for next year: prepare four times as much cheesecake!