'We’re much busier this year': Seroogy's Chocolates slammed with holiday business, temporarily stops online orders
Dec 16, 2024
DE PERE, Wis. (WFRV) - A Wisconsin favorite, Seroogy's Chocolates is having a banner year, as the candy company first established in 1899 celebrated 125 years. But now, in more than a century, the popular seller is now facing one of its busiest holiday seasons of all time.
“We’re busy. We’re very very busy trying to keep things on the shelves and our customers happy," Seroogy’s customer service manager Sarah Siefert said. "The orders are bigger, we’re short staffed too, so that’s not helping in our production facility. But yes, it seems we’re much busier this year.”
The holiday business has inundated Seroogy's to the point where it had to temporarily stop taking online orders, and it is still unknown whether online orders will be available again before Christmas.
“We have to turn our website off because we just couldn’t handle any more orders coming in," Siefert said. “Don’t know that we’ll be able to get it on before Christmas, we’re just day by day doing our best.”
Siefert says that placing orders over the phone is still an option, but coming into the store to pick out from the chocolate on the shelves is shoppers' best bets.
“At this point we can’t guarantee it’s going to happen before Christmas. We’re doing the best we can but we cant guarantee, your best option is to come into the stores and see what’s on the shelves,” she said. “We can only make our product so far in advance, and our building is only so big so we can only make so much.”
In person shopping is no trouble for Steve Blank, who makes the drive from Neenah.
“I’ve been coming to Seroogy’s for about the last five years, always have a great selection," he said. “I’m someone that likes to come to the store and get what you want. I’m not so much the mail order person.”
Blank says that shopping early will get you the best success, and it is all worth it to support local businesses.
“If you’re looking to do your Christmas shopping, go early and they’ll have what you need," Blank said. “It’s local. I like buying local and I just think it makes a difference.”
Even amidst the frenzy of the holiday season, the employees still find ways to embrace and enjoy the craze.
“We try to keep positive, and we do a little countdown and keep smiling. Keep smiling your way through it," Siefert said. “Christmas is where it’s at for Seroogy’s. It’s always busy and we always try our best to prepare as much as we can.”