Is nothing sacred?

Does EVERYTHING have to be swallowed up by a larger company? Can't we have any small specialty shops and purveyors, and pure, untainted artisan craftsmanship anymore? Does EVERYTHING have to be McDonald's-ized?

The Hershey Company to Acquire Scharffen Berger, Entering Premium Chocolate Segment
Monday July 25, 5:27 pm ET


HERSHEY, Pa., July 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY - News), a leading snack food marketer and the largest North American confectionery company, today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker, Inc., one of the fastest-growing premium dark chocolate companies in the United States. Based in Berkeley, California, Scharffen Berger is known for its high-cacao content, signature dark chocolate bars and baking products sold online and in a broad range of outlets, including specialty retailers, natural food stores and gourmet centers across the country. Scharffen Berger also owns and operates three specialty stores located in New York City, Berkeley, and San Francisco.

Oh and BTW, if you're in the Berkeley area, you gotta check out Cafe Cacao, the restaurant that adjoins the chocolate factory. Their chocolate croissant bread pudding is to DIE for. Trust.