Tucked amid the verdant, rolling hills of Southern Illinois, just across from Dixon Springs State Park, sits an unassuming treasure trove of sweets. The Chocolate Factory, Inc. in Golconda is a testament to one woman’s passion for all things chocolate.

“I just like chocolate. I really do,” said Chocolate Factory Inc. owner Linda Meherg.

“In the summer, it’s a lot of ice cream and a little bit of chocolate. After it cools off, it’s a lot of chocolate, a little bit of ice cream,” explained Linda. “With 32 flavors of ice cream, it’s no wonder some kids affectionately call it (the store) ‘The Ice Cream Factory.’ So, you sell both all the time”.

The Chocolate Factory might surprise new visitors with its modest appearance.

“When people come, they think it’s a huge factory. They may go right past us and have to turn around and come back,” Linda explained. “They say. ‘Was that the Chocolate Factory?’”

“The store’s unique location offers visitors a glimpse into rural Illinois life. We’ll still have people come in and say, ‘I’ve come by here for 20 years and I’ve never stopped to come in.’ Then, when they come, they find out we’ve got ice cream and all this other stuff.”

This amazing store packs a big punch when it comes to satisfying a sweet tooth. All-things chocolate exist as the weighty favorite at this beloved rural outpost, but the store takes great pride in carrying a wide assortment of candies.

Linda takes pride in the off-the-beaten-path location of her store. Situated in what Linda affectionately calls “back woodsy country,” The Chocolate Factory offers visitors a glimpse of a quieter side of life in Illinois.

“We’re hillbillies. We’re about as far south in Illinois as you can go,” said Linda with smile. “Paducah, Kentucky is a mere 22 miles away.”

From a camper to chocolate heaven

The trajectory of the Chocolate Factory is as rich as the treats it offers. Linda, along with two friends, embarked on this sweet adventure in 1976, starting from humble beginnings in a camper while their permanent location – which to this day is still their current location- was under construction.

“We didn’t know what we were doing, actually. We just thought we were having fun,” Linda reminisced.

Despite skepticism from some in her community, the trio persevered. Their early days were marked by a spirit of adventure and learning. They showcased their chocolatey creations by selling their treats to the students at Southern Illinois University, gradually building their reputation.

“We went to a lot of places and gave demonstrations,” explained Linda.

There used to be a second location of Chocolate Factory, Inc, with their other store situated in Paducah. Linda says a pivotal moment in her professional career transpired in when she bought out her friends, who were also her former business partners, Sandra and Shirley. Sandra and Shirley opted to continue doing business at the Paducah location of the business, and Linda stayed with her store in Golcanda. This change in ownership also led to a transformational change in the treats at Linda’s store.

“When I took over the business, I decided to make an important pivot,” Linda recounted. “We were using the coated chocolate, which isn’t the real deal, and I decided we needed to use real, honest-to-goodness chocolate. It was a game changer for the business.”

What is the secret ingredient to the 48-year success story of this business. Linda’s daughter, Angela, says the magic starts and ends with her mother.

“She has worked so hard to make this business, but I think what really makes the business is her personality,” Angela said. “People still just come in and they always ask for her because they want to talk to her.”

A family affair

Today, The Chocolate Factory finds its success as a family legacy. Linda beams with pride as she talks about working side-by-side with her daughters, Angela Bailey and Tina Null. Angela runs daily operations for the store. Tina supervises the financial books.

“I think the success of the Chocolate Factory has, number one, been my mom,” Tina boasted with pride. “She has made this her vision. I say this is her ministry. She loves the people around here. She believes God gave her this business, and she wants to provide work for people in her community, and she has just worked hard to do that.”

“You can build a business anywhere. If you just have the right personality. You just have to be friendly and care about the people that come in and they will tell other people and they will come too. We have built it up from just a very small business to what it is today.”

Linda’s love for her work shines as bright as a blue peppermint in every aspect of the business.

“I love the Chocolate Factory, because I just like the work,” Linda stressed. “You need to really like what you’re getting into. Because if you don’t like it, you’re going to have some problems.”

Her passion translates into a diverse array of sweet treats, with her shelves stocked with all kinds of imaginable chocolates: cordials, fudge, haystacks, clusters, caramels, and toffee.

“There’s anything from sweet heat that has jalapeño in it to Rocky Road, terrapins or turtles, tiger butter, all kinds of creams, and truffles,” explained Linda. “We even have sugar-free treats and sugar-free chocolate. If they have a sweet tooth, we’ll fix their sweet tooth one way or another, even the diabetics. The sugar free [candy] is good. It really is.”

The Chocolate Factory says its book of business includes a robust line of internet sales. They also make custom-molded chocolate gift boxes for all occasions including new babies and retirements.

“We are known for our chocolate molds,” Linda explained. “If you have an idea for something in chocolate, we can create it for you.”

Why I love retail

For Linda Meherg who is now in her 80s, Chocolate Factory allows her to connect with people from all walks of life.

“I love being in retail. I really do. I like seeing the people,” said Linda with a big smile. “I may be up here working, and someone will come in and say, ‘Is Linda here?’ I’ll hear that, or they’ll come and get me. It may be somebody I see twice a year, or I won’t even know them, but I’ll recognize their face,”

That personal touch extends to repeat customers who visit her store from long distances.

“There was a guy that used to come in every year from Hawaii. I didn’t know him, but it was so nice to see him,” recalled Linda with a warm grin.

Advice for future retailers

These days, Linda calls herself “semi-retired,” but with her boundless energy and her playful disposition, it seems like she is ever the fixture at the store she founded nearly 50 years ago.

“I have helped people to go into retail and one thing, and I think it’s something I really didn’t think of before, you’ve got to give it time. It (retail) is not going to make you rich. You have to work and not depend on somebody else running it all the time,” Linda said.

After nearly 50 years in business, Linda remains grounded in her approach.

“Well, we’re not going to get rich. But I figure if we can pay our bills, we can pay the hired help. What more could we want?”

That philosophy, coupled with Linda’s faith and hard work, has been foundational to the success of The Chocolate Factory, Inc. “I want my legacy to be that I was fun. I’ve made a lot of people happy.”