Phillip Ashley Chocolates has ridden a rollercoaster of a pandemic
Phillip Rix has had to increase his staff due to an influx in orders. He’s now running two shifts, has 16 employees and says he could use 20 more. Zoe Alexander (right to left), Sharlane Wilson and Assata Austin prepared chocolates at Phillip Ashley Chocolates in Midtown on Monday, Feb. 1. (Ziggy Mack/Special to the Daily Memphian)
Martavious McGee prepares chocolates at Phillip Ashley Chocolates in Midtown on Monday, Feb. 1. (Ziggy Mack/Special to the Daily Memphian)
For now, chocolates are being created at Phillip Ashley Chocolates at 1200 Madison in Midtown. Phillip Rix says he’s planning to move to a larger space that will be his factory and his retail store. (Ziggy Mack/Special to the Daily Memphian)
Phillip Rix’s Phillip Ashley Chocolates partnered with Woodford Reserve Double Oaked bourbon when the company reached out to him to create chocolates to go with their double oaked. The four chocolates — one white, one blond, one milk chocolate and one dark — are each created to bring out a different element in the one whiskey, Rix said. (Ziggy Mack/Special to the Daily Memphian)
In early November, Phillip Ashley Chocolates’ turtles made the 2020 list of Oprah’s Favorite Things. (Ziggy Mack/Special to the Daily Memphian)
The going got tough in 2019 and 2020 started with promise followed by disappointment. Then a pivot, a plan, a little luck and well, Oprah, made things happen. But success comes with a cost, too.
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Bread & Butter Phillip Ashley Chocolates Phillip Ashley Rix Isiah Thomas Restaurants and COVID-19Jennifer Biggs
Jennifer Biggs is a native Memphian and veteran food writer and journalist who covers all things food, dining and spirits related for The Daily Memphian.
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