How The Oldest Chocolate House In New York City Survived A Century | Still Standing

[@krisf2482]

Having Anwar as the co-owner is probably one of the reason why the company still exists today. He's very passionate and hands-on in his work. He's the perfect person who knows the tradition but still knows how to innovate the company.

[@BuckingHorse-Bull]

hey lets go get some li-lac

[@virendrababu9198]

@@BuckingHorse-Bull mmm

[@rileyredemption]

Follow some health code standards. Hand out beard nets, they need a lot of them. Unsanitary and gross.

[@120-e5h]

​@@rileyredemption shut up

[@byronee]

​@@rileyredemption way to be a downer..

[@MJ17UP]

You can see his passion from how his face lights up when he talks about the company. This is true dedication. Happy 100-year anniversary!

[@joshiki8235]

ഡ്

[@joshiki8235]

ഡ് zx xx

[@trogdor5668]

Happy 100 years Jackie Chan!

[@EastTexasIndie]

I feel like for that reason he’s a toxic boss he treats his employees like shit

[@kaliuchis9709]

@Moth do you know this? Are you face to face with this so called him being rude?

[@cordelia8031]

Just this week I dropped by the Li-Lac store in Hudson Yards on a whim. It was my first time seeing the brand and I was only picking out a last minute gift for a friend. I received a whole bar of chocolate for free as part of a promotion and was blown away by the taste and texture. What a pleasant coincidence to have this video recommend today! I’ll be buying more in the future for sure :)

[@worldview730]

Now that is a story

[@mehere8038]

the dark chocolate moulds look delicious, did you get any of those?

[@cordelia8031]

@@mehere8038 Not this time, but I'll have to try them in the future. Nothing like biting into a whole hunk of chocolate!

[@usmh]

Chances are the algorithm managed to pick up on your visit... It's sneaky like that.

[@greggaming5844]

@@usmh I was abouta say that and KZbin is watching us

[@Raine13]

I haven't heard of this company before - but I've now visited their website, subscribed to their mailing list, and look forward to receiving my first order. I love supporting businesses with a rich history, craftsmanship, and attention to detail.

[@dianaroseverano5744]

What's their website?

[@KathyA318]

@@dianaroseverano5744 search up their company name: Li lac chocolate.

[@punipuk8507]

Same, Ak

[@sovietbanana6556]

Former Li-Lac employee here, don’t. They mistreat their front house employees.

[@flowerducky276]

@@sovietbanana6556 oh dear. care to elaborate? (genuinely curious.)

[@sammydreams2971]

My family was gifted a box of Li-Lac chocolates for Christmas! We (specifically me) couldn’t stop eating them they were so good and decadent! One of the best chocolates I’ve ever had. One day I’m gonna save up and buy one myself! 🥰🥰

[@sidolin6671]

I can relate to. I’ve had chocolate from different countries and places, theirs are one of the best!

[@WellISaidIt]

​@@sidolin6671 what even better than Swiss or Belgium chocolates. I had chocolate in the states and it tasted like vomit. Admittedly they were mass produced but I can't imagine any American chocolate to be better than Swiss or Belgium.

[@jaym291]

@@WellISaidIt You do realise most Belgian and Swiss chocolate is also mass-produced right?

[@WellISaidIt]

@@jaym291 yes I do. And it still tastes better than anything I have tasted in the states.

[@vinnvii]

@@WellISaidIt its because in the states they heat up the milk im a way that makes it shelf stable but the taste is weirder. More tradition going than anything else tho

[@leonorfeio3948]

Innovation is great but tradition is everything. To be able to keep a business open for a HUNDRED YEARS, wow, respect and awe for all those people

[@louisazraels7072]

but lets not forget, litteraly every single one of today's traditions was once an innovation

[@leonorfeio3948]

@@louisazraels7072 also true! they go hand in hand imo, kind of symbiotic

[@fatboyRAY24]

Innovation is a tradition that supersedes traditions that do not innovate.

[@vast9467]

Many companies have been around for a long time

[@ArgeologicalMonkeyZone]

That is right

[@drewh3224]

Such a familiar immigrant can-do spirit throughout centuries in New York. I went to this bakery shop in Manhattan Chinatown for years. One day, one is its Mexican employees bought the entire business and recipes from its Chinese owners after 12 years working there. The shop was over 92 years, and I was almost in tear while having his coffee and sponge cakes! So delicious😋💕

[@sheilaflory2541]

Visiting NYC soon. Need the name!

[@yurylast8334]

There is one that I would go with my mother when I was like 7 years old and they had the most delicious sponge cake. My mother would call them Chinese sponge cake. The most interesting thing is that I do not know the address but if I see it, I can recognize the shop. ❤️

[@drewh3224]

@@yurylast8334 The best sponge cake in town is still going for Kam Hing Bakery & Coffee 118 Baxter St. That's my opinion. But, Spongies Cafe is an older entablishment with the original sponge cake recipes. Believe me, they are good😋

[@jerryhernandez1895]

Whenever family members don’t take over a family business watching employees take over the business is the next best thing.

[@drewh3224]

@@jerryhernandez1895 Couldn't agree more. Long employees have become part of the familiar family for the humble immigrants to carrying on a piece of their life journey with their hard won pop 'n mon business.

[@stephanieyee9784]

What a lovely man Anwar is. He thoroughly deserved to be co-owner and Head Choclatier at Li-Lac. His dedication, enthusiasm and love of the traditional aspects of the business are wonderful to see. I'll put these chocolates on my list of things to try.

[@FrankPCarpi]

I love this kind of dedication to the old world traditions. I'm from the Bronx but I have never heard of Li-Lac chocolate. Now I have to go online and order some of that brittle.

[@katherinelangford981]

And I had to go on to find out how much a giant chcolate turkey costs... $295.

[@FrankPCarpi]

@@katherinelangford981 that actually sounds reasonable, considering what everything else costs these days.

[@OrganicTrash]

@@katherinelangford981 I mean, you said yourself, it's a giant turkey! I'd guess it's a quality product with good ingredients, plus it's all handmade vs in a factory

[@OrganicTrash]

@@katherinelangford981 I just got to the turkey part. Girl, did you not hear how long it took to make!! And that thing is HUGE. I don't want to imagine how long it took to set in the mold. The price is definitely worth it.

[@katherinelangford981]

@Organic Trash oh i don't ont think it's unreasonable I just was curious how much one would be. 10 took him all night and it sounds like there's only the 1 mold.

[@gellichan09]

That's how you keep a craft going! Sharing all that knowledge and skill to future generations. It's refreshing to see this one still alive and actually teach its staff since a lot of other unique old crafts are dying because they don't have anyone to share their knowledge.

[@kindnessalwayswins]

What a sweet man, I wish him and his employees (and customers) all the best! All good things starts with passion!

[@cynamin922]

I love the way Anwar smiles when he speaks. You can tell he loves this and that he puts his heart into his work. I'd love to order some chocolate soon to taste it.

[@N0N4M30]

He needs an KZbin channel where he can show his amazing old molds 🤩 they look so beautiful

[@kaelthunderhoof5619]

Lol, just like that one guy and his exotic toy collections.

[@kafkollectif525]

It’s so cool to see how big they’ve grown! I remember when they had a teeny little shop in the west village, and now they have a big fancy one there in a way better location. Online orders and shipping worldwide was so smart too!

[@jayeftee]

I can feel his love for what he does. What a great reminder to pursue what one loves. He is very inspiring. He still got that twinkle in his eyes after all these years.

[@JasonP6339]

Thank you for giving him the opportunity to become part owner. Unless he has children, I would bet that was one of, if not the happiest moment of his life!

[@panykfelidae9018]

This man is made of chocolate and sunbeams and mugs of soup. The steady passion in how he talks about the chocolate he makes isn't a firey, dramatic heat, it's the kind of warmth that rises bread and cures clay into bricks - listening to him talk about building and creation makes me want to do it, too. What an amazing person with an amazing story.

[@wrighty338]

"You never touch the recipes of old school companies" Me - cries in pre american owned Cadbury 😭

[@Trund27]

Omg, yes. Also Rowntree, where did you go?? ;_;

[@wrighty338]

@@Trund27 Gobbled up by the corporate machine now the old factory in York is apartments :(

[@Tao_Tology]

I remember the old owners refused a few times before selling. Are there any factories left now?

[@RichTapestry]

@@Tao_Tology Swizzels still operates out of their New Mills factory in Derbyshire (UK), and I think they're still family owned!

[@WellISaidIt]

It was my first thought too. They royally f'd up good products.

[@misery8264]

Him being a part-owner makes me so goddamn happy. I've seen my fair share of businesses, and often times they treat their best employees the worst, aka "You cant take a day off, I need you, but this other employee with less experience can" and owners as well as managers realize too late that they will be left with the worst employees and loose the best ones.

[@ElonMusk-qs4uw]

this was indirectly such great marketing for Li-Lac company, before i wouldve walked past the brand of chocolates without even thinking about it, now im thinking the next time i see the brand i must buy some now knowing the backstory and how passionate the owner is about the quality. all the best Li-Lac!

[@liamcaffreylowe5592]

Healthier alternatives. 15 POUNDS OF BUTTER.

[@syedsaad8179]

Ha

[@annaandrea8320]

It is better than margarine.

[@jessicaallen6731]

Came here for this 😂

[@lilangels2980]

I was about to comment that 😂😂😂

[@thatonepanch]

Butter aint that bad

[@DarioVidili]

The joy that man has when talking about his job which has transcended into being his passion is something we should all strive for.

[@chrisamxy1963]

I'm sitting here, late at night, watching this video and feeling so happy for Anwar. He certainly makes the experience a positive one for the factory, the customers, and the employees. Well done, Anwar!

[@sophiaisabelle01]

The intricate details on those chocolates are immaculate. The fact that they're all made by hand (along with some help from modern day machineries) is pretty incredible. Anwar seems to be very passionate about chocolate-making. It's an art form, really.

[@emjean22]

Tools and workspaces meant to be around long after the first generation shows the legacy the founders wanted to leave, props on being here a century later and continuing to be in use.

[@sandragoodman2059]

Li-Lac may not sell the most, but it is, no question, the best chocolate in the country. And, oh, the butter crunch!

[@PatrickTanahan]

Some of the best chocolate I’ve ever had! Tastes even better after watching this and learning about the backstory! What an incredible operation 🙌🏼🍫

[@phantomstrider]

You can tell the guy's passion. It's really admirable.

[@richmoves]

I first discovered Li-Lac way back in 1976 at the old Christopher Street location in the West Village, which is no longer there. I lived on the dark chocolate raisin bars and mint patties. The butter crunch is out of this world! 🍫🧡

[@ameliaperdomo6449]

The West Village location is now on Greenwich Ave!

[@richmoves]

@@ameliaperdomo6449 thanks, yes I know that.

[@claudiareid6613]

Anwar being co-owner definitely keeps the company going. I love how he keeps the recipes in a safe and is able to read the scale with out the numbers on it. You can tell this is his passion

[@lolitalolita7561]

It’s always so nice to be able to look through the window or be inside of a shop and watch people making the product.

[@wanowayawona6355]

I love that he still keeps the hand written recipes.

[@rafaelrub]

God bless this man. We need more humans like him.

[@davidreaper0394]

This actually makes me happy I love traditional chocolate this looks amazing

[@patriciasanchezwebb]

How can you not LOVE this man. I mean, the love of and care for traditional chocolate translates (very loosely) to the love of humanity.

[@ArgeologicalMonkeyZone]

good

[@serophina2857]

I’ll be the first to say I love innovations and seeing what the next best thing is. But I 100% love to see traditions being kept alive! Traditions are the reason most of us have the childhood memories we have or the stories to tell ❤

[@kathleengibbons7132]

Only in New York city can a random customer afford to order 15 handmade artisan giant chocolate turkeys from a high end chocolatier the day before Thanksgiving lol

[@lijohnyoutube101]

That certainly had to be crazy expensive and super hard work! Other cities have wealth as well but NYC certainly have many of them.

[@Woozlewuzzleable]

Thanks, now I want chocolate at 10 in the morning.

[@adrianriverapr6288]

Go for it 🤭🤭

[@MattTee1975]

Is it ever too early for chocolate?

[@Hammeredveracity]

Found the guy who ordered 10 turkeys

[@ry.hoshiko5482]

The passion and respect for the craft is what keeps it going

[@s.g236]

the way he talks about the molds makes me so happy, just by looking at the way he talks about them shows how passionate he is about his job.

[@Cherry_Kuru]

I work in a local candy store that's been making chocolate since 1929, and I have to say it's pretty fun especially with the good staff.

[@ArgeologicalMonkeyZone]

good

[@conniewojahn6445]

This guy's enthusiasm is impressive. I will him, and all the people working there, all the luck in the world. Go Anwar Go.

[@robertorosales2267]

Truly a labor of love to bring the real chocolate to the world. Thank you for sharing!

[@ambersampson744]

This Still Standing series is really incredible. Thank you for showing us generations of hard work and dedication.

[@ArgeologicalMonkeyZone]

right

[@gokart1685]

the passion in his eyes is so nice to see

[@le_th_]

In my eyes, Lilac already IS the #1 chocolate company in the US. I'm so grateful to have learned about Lilac when living in Manhattan back in 1990-1998. I think it's in Brooklyn now, though.

[@vagadagadingdong]

I love how the green candy that is made at 0:38 is exactly the same way of production that early tablets were made by pharmacists. I have on of these old pill boards at home from cleaning up an old pharmacy.

[@laurafluty9948]

I had never heard of Lilac but we watched this video and immediately ordered a box of toffee crunch - so delicious! Will look forward to ordering more treats in the future!

[@bluefish537]

5:37 - There is nothing more beautiful than a man who loves what he does

[@Sophie-dd5xr]

Anwar is so genuine, you can feel it through the screen. Wishing them a lot of success! 😊

[@katiegastley]

It's refreshing to see the care taken in these handmade delights!

[@litergod]

true artisan - making changes like updating the corn syrup to tapioca is EXACTLY the kind of things to improve. Or adding machines for parts that wouldn't make sense to do by hand, like mixing or dipping. Great guy, great company.

[@1212ImAnubis]

Every time I visit US I always go to the Li-Lac store. My parents, wife and children really liked the souvenirs I brought for them. Mr. Anwar even made the special chocolate I asked for specifically for my mother's birthday.

[@mjrussell414]

Well, I’ve always wanted to go back to NYC ever since going there as a teen on a school photography trip in 1988. Now visiting Li-Lac and trying those beautiful chocolate creations is a reason to visit Brooklyn.

[@ithikithik]

The recipe of a long lasting artisan is having someone who puts all of the passion and heart on production everyday, like Anwar.

[@Divinefeminine888]

Thank you for showcasing this company - as a New Yorker ive never heard of this so now I will make the deliberate step to support this iconic new york business ❤ I love anything to do with cocoa too 😊

[@Ryvucz]

To me, nothing is more heartwarming than someone who loves their job.

[@sugarandchaos]

If I ever make it to that part of the world I'm buying one of everything. They all look so delicious and I love a company who is so passionate about their past and puts such love into what they do.

[@sugarspice7768]

I love that they not own kept the company going, they preserved the way the chocolate is made and are using the same recipes. 🤗

[@MotoEnz]

Nothing beats heritage and culture.

[@gailjames6489]

Totally way cool. Thank you for staying the course and not giving up. 👏👏👏👏♥️😊

[@acevedobrooklyn]

Love that place been there so many times...Brooklyn stand up..

[@arachnidsLor]

this kinda made me happy to watch. anwar seems like hes so passionate and happy with his work. if i ever visit the united states and end up in new york, im sure i will give them a visit.

[@badassmalificent]

I'm willing to pay the exchange rate and shipping costs to try this chocolate. Small batch, artisan work is worth every penny. Happy 100 year anniversary. 💖

[@minsiuh8960]

I love chocolate and have tried many high end brands - their dark chocolate almond bark is one of the best I have had - absolutely packed w almonds and you can just taste the quality of the chocolate! Love to see Anwars passion. Heres to a 100 more years!!!

[@kamalani808]

I want to try every kind of chocolate they make. 😄I hope they can continue their great work.

[@kamiekogoines5088]

loved this. keep small businesses alive!

[@catherinesanchez1185]

Never mess with the recipes of a 100 year old company!! Wise words. This ends up burning a lot of companies over time. They try to go cheaper with their ingredients or change process so much that it affects the product . Chocolate like this is a luxury item , period. People will pay if its good. And fresh chocolate vs prev frozen? You can tell , definitely. There are a couple chocolate places near me that are like this. Fresh chocolate , traditional recipes and they never have issues selling.

[@xiqueira]

Kudos to Anwar for pivoting in life and kudos to the other owners for knowing who is the heart and face of that business and supporting him.

[@Pius-XI]

Lovely to see an old company still going

[@aigooomona]

His smile when he talks about what he does. Oh how I hope to find a job that would make me smile like that in the future..

[@idpro83]

I have a soft spot for artisanal work like that. It's like an isle of honest hard work in a world full money grabbing, deception and marketing bs. 👍🏽

[@anatoliagolden-hall4553]

Totally agree.

[@emmanuelharbor2350]

Love the age-old traditions of making chocolate!

[@foodiesglobal101]

Always have a soft spot for them candymaking video's, and Anwar is such a nice chocolatier 🍫🍫

[@josephwyner2255]

Have tried many Chocolate companies. Grew up in Brooklyn with Wahler's on Ft. Hamilton Pkwy. They made their own chocolate and ice cream. Mr.Wahler was a artist extraordinaire. His creations a Easter that adorned his windows were beyond compare. Well, Li-Lac is the only chocolate that I can compare Wahler's too. These chocolates are excellent. A taste of yesterday.

[@daisykid3]

That scale would be a lovely restoration project

[@zeeqq105]

These types of companies should be spoken about more. To keep them going. I love old companies. It’s part of the culture of NY

[@nataliagryczynska4289]

I love the story and how passionate are the owners; cannot wait to visit them in NYC! Great video!

[@cayleenasworldi3647]

You can see his passion. I love this. If only I weren’t allergic to chocolate

[@viktorgadany7595]

The chocolate shaped Turkey is very creative along with the large chocolate egg shape.

[@Hare_krishna451]

Business insider just made him and his company even more popular!!

[@killaclownz911]

What a beautiful company, I'm happy they survived the pandemic, lets see another 100 years plus from them :)

[@dawudbrown9687]

On my second order of butter crunch. Them things hit different.

[@janetclark8754]

I never heard of this company before seeing this video! Will certainly go on line and see if I can find them 🥰

[@lordgong4980]

This video has probably done more for this company than anything else. Gonna have to try it myself

[@UpUpDnDnLtRtLtRtBAStart]

Beautiful craft. On another note - During seeing the recipe poured out on the table I was drawn back only to want to eat up every piece as I saw it scored and hardeened. Looks delicious.

[@michaelh4227]

"He doesn't use corn syrup in order to make it healthier." *Literally 5 seconds later* "15 POUNDS OF BUTTER"

[@td2222]

Butter isn't unhealthy! Quite the contrary!

[@michaelh4227]

@@td2222 You say that but I'm pretty sure if you eat 15 pounds of butter you'll probably get sick.

[@raymondcolison4501]

15 lbs of butter to make 1,500 toffee squares as it says at 3:54. I think that’s 4.5 grams of butter per square if my conversion is right. Doesn’t sound that bad

[@michaelh4227]

@@raymondcolison4501 I mean, you can say the same about the corn syrup but that didn't stop them.

[@tagranon6927]

15 pounds of butter for at least 1500 toffee squares. Considering it's one of the only ingredients, and the butter might be used anyways, even if the corn syrup was used instead of sugar, that's pretty impressive.

[@ibbledibble]

as someone who grew up eating these in the 80s, even in the pre-Anwar times, i highly recommend: cherry cordials, chocolate pretzels, raspberry jellies, thin mints and almond crunch. i had no idea they shipped internationally (they just made a 'new' old customer) and i had no idea my easter bunnies were made from a hundred-year-old mould, loved this video. 😍😍💗💗💓💖

[@oliviao2238]

Mad respect for this creation

[@wingsoflotus]

@7:45 that child in every man's heart that never fades🥹

[@bjunsen]

this is amazing, honestly really inspiring. i’ll definitely try some very soon

[@user-pz7id7yb2t]

I love the passion and how vintage everything is

[@taylorgraham7067]

"he is using tapioca syrup because he's looking for healthy alternatives... the next ingredient is 15lbs butter"

[@maryelizabeth1216]

i said the same thing 😭😭😭😭🧈🧈🧈🧈

[@AngryBerb]

They said healthier alternatives, not healthy alternatives. Massive difference.

[@catboxcleaner3532]

I know! All that butter made my heart stop. 😳

[@paulamurray5668]

This is the best chocolate I have ever tasted… hope you stay in business forever.

[@ajachaotic]

"He updates the recipe for a healthier option… then he adds 15 pounds of butter" 😂

[@Tao_Tology]

Fat (butter) is healthier than sugar but, yeah, you're running uphill to make 'healthy' candies.

[@OYJluv]

Natural bussiness man. Also very respectful to his workers.

[@llew777]

Many Many positives re this story... 2 stand out to me...... the word hand made, and the fact its owned by an immigrant Another great reason for high quality, and a big shout out to the immigration system and the people it brings us

[@doodskie999]

A lebanese guy who pursued programming but ended up as the new willy wonka. What a great story.

[@carrolmcdonald8611]

What a lovely story, Anwar deserves to be the number one company in the USA, I do hope his wishes come true! With Much Love From Scotland 🤗xx

[@DHU11]

These videos are always the highlight of my very boring days when they are released 🥰