SINCE 1938, PETER’S CHOCOLATE SHOPPE in Butler has been a must-go destination for young and old alike. Peter and Mary Meliotis opened the namesake store in 1938 as a sandwich and sweet shop. Fast-forward 87 years, go around the corner, and today Peter’s Chocolate holds forth at its well-traversed Jefferson Street location in downtown Butler. In 1998 brothers Seth, Rod and Dee Steinheiser bought the business, wisely keeping the established “Peter’s” name.
“Well, I married into a candy-making family, so it seemed to be the right time of our life,” states Lori Steinheiser of the 2020 passing of the Peter’s baton from her uncles to her and husband Aaron Steinheiser. “And besides that, it’s been here for eighty-plus years. We just didn’t want Peter’s to leave Butler.”
Nationwide…Yet Family-Centric 
For all they do—sending chocolates across all 50 states and Europe—Peter’s Chocolate Shoppe is a small, well-organized operation. The sales floor has experienced a makeover with Lori’s help. Carpeting and wall mirrors have been replaced by a lovely light green-and-brown color scheme. Handsome hardwood shelving units display boxes of chocolates, with individual pieces set inside gleaming glass cases. The overall effect is sleek and inviting.
The back production area revolves around a cooling line. Mixers, refrigeration units, storage of ingredients and boxes all have their assigned space. Enormous copper kettles—an antique collector’s dream—are still used in production. The staff, upwards of ten at peak moments, are trained on the machinery and can all perform most every task, including sales. Family helps out a lot here also. Daughters Katlyn and Shelby, now away at college, jump in when they come home. Lori’s parents also lend a hand, “My mom is the master of caramel (AKA the ‘Caramel Queen’) and my dad has been known to put a cherry or two on the belt,” Lori states. Her mom, Marty Rodgers, adds, “I make the truffles for the cream fillings, as well as peanut butter and marshmallow. I also help hand-dip S’mores, which are honey crisps and mini marshmallows. Lori’s idea, and it has gone over very well.”
Farmers— “Everything We Need.”
When Lori and Aaron took over the reins of Peter’s from their family, they needed help in securing the transfer. That’s when Farmers stepped in. “We took out two loans, for the business and the building,” Lori states. “The business loan was basically for all of the equipment, and a mortgage to cover the cost of the two buildings.”
They also own the five-unit apartment building adjacent to Peter’s. From their family they bought everything that was there: including enrobing units [that automatically coat confections with a smooth, consistent layer of tempered chocolate], melting tanks, marble tables, molds and boxes.
They also have an ongoing line of credit through Farmers. “I use it every year, to purchase boxes, chocolate, whatever supplies are needed for the season,” Lori states. “I dip into that line of credit and pay it off as soon as I can. We had to put in a new cooling unit. It died on us in February, three days before Valentine’s Day. Our Farmers line of credit got us back up and running.”
Josh Fye, Vice President, Commercial Banking Team Leader at Farmers, took the lead at procuring the loans. “Oh, we love Josh!” Lori exclaims. “He's friendly and walks us through everything we need.” The relationship was a natural. “My husband and Josh work together at the Butler Community Development Center, and they have hunting in common,” Lori adds.
“As a community bank, we are always proud to assist with the financing needs of our borrowers,” Fye states. He is also well aware of the shoppe’s standing in the region. “We appreciate the opportunity to assist Peter’s Chocolate Shoppe in providing some wonderful sweet treats in Butler County! We are pleased to contribute to the legacy of the community.”
Holidays, and Every Day
While a chocolate shoppe like Peter’s has its consistent patrons, much of their business revolves around specific holidays. “Easter is our number one, with Christmas and Valentine’s Day after that,” Lori explains. “Mother’s Day is next, followed by Halloween.” There is a predictable slowdown in the hotter months. “Chocolate and hot weather don't mix, but we still have our weekly customers who stop in,” Lori says. Business starts picking up in September. “We do weekends at Freedom Farms Fall Festival in Valencia,” Lori states. “We dip fresh every week, about 250 to 300 caramel chocolate apples.” A Halloween mainstay is chocolate covered rice krispies, “We make them look like mummies!” says Lori.
For Christmas they create chocolate Santas, reindeer and lumps of coal (chocolate chunks wrapped in black paper) and, perhaps surprisingly, over 100 pounds of chocolate-covered pretzels. Valentine’s Day is mostly chocolate-dipped fruit (nearly 200 pounds of fresh strawberries dipped just days before). Easter sees a lot of chocolate bunnies and crosses.
Throughout the year they sell chocolate letters, for names or messages (“We sell thousands of them,” Lori states. “We have trouble keeping up with them at Easter time.”) Beyond holidays, there are the candies: turtles, meltaways, caramels, clusters, lollipops, that customers come in for every day.
Hometown Proud 
Like so many other towns and cities in our region, Butler finds its population increased during holidays, with former residents happy to be home. Peter’s is a must-visit destination for so many of them. As Lori’s mom Marty Rodgers states, “It's really something how many people come in and say, ‘While we're home, we want chocolate to take back with us.’ We're amazed at how many people come in from different parts of the United States.” Chalk it up to a dedicated staff and excellent leadership at Peter's.
“I don't know if Lori told you, but her background was as a medical secretary, and not a candy store,” Marty adds. “But when she came in, boy she sure took off with it. I couldn’t be more proud of her.”