The Giscards of Wuthrich in new hands!
Aug 27, 2023
The Giscards of Wuthrich under new ownership!
The house was founded in 1888 and fully deserves its historic Café label. The city's last Belle Époque tea room is adorned with ironwork and stained glass to welcome gourmets into its semi-circular veranda. Since 1995, Egon Kopp has taken over the iconic address. But, at the age of 78, he decided to hand over the reins and it was Valérie and Luc Mayor, lovers of the place and native Lausanne residents, who took over the business.
“ We have three full-time chocolatiers, it’s an incredible luxury. And the store is our only point of sale. »
Valérie Mayor, owner of Wuthrich
He, a part-time Formula 1 journalist, had already opened the store of the chocolatier Blondel in Tokyo in 2012, before taking over the Chocolaterie Walder, in Neuchâtel, in 2017. Then opening points of sale in Bienne then Berne. “When Egon Kopp asked us to take over, we we did not hesitate. The place is magical, with a large laboratory and a clientele,” explains the boss.
Same team, same recipes
His wife Valérie manages the team of 17 employees who remained in place. “We have three full-time chocolatiers, it’s an incredible luxury. And the store is our only point of sale.” But the reputation of the pies, pastries and chocolates allows us to see a large clientele.
And there are the two essentials, the Stéphanie, a terribly delicious chocolate torte, and the Giscard, of course, these pralines first called Rigoletto before the French president ordered them from the Élysée. The chocolate factory sells around 100,000 per year. Including new, young customers to whom the reference of the name means nothing.
“ Customers told us: 'You're not going to change anything, are you?'
Valérie Mayor, owner of Wuthrich
"Customers told us, 'You're not going to change anything, are you?' says Valérie. She reassures them that neither the assortment nor the decor will change. “We will undoubtedly add a few additional truffles, one or two new products, but nothing more,” confirms Luc. Why change what works?
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