Today we’d like to introduce you to Joe Terpoghossian.
This family business was established in 1910 in Kharkov, Ukraine. It was founded by Hovsep Ter-Poghossian Sr. in a modest middle-class neighborhood. The business started as a bakery that sold white bread and baguettes as their main products. As the business rapidly grew, the bakery expanded by adding baked goods and sweets to its existing bread menu.
For the next 20 years, Hovsep Sr. successfully operated the business. During the communist regime of Soviet Union, Hovsep Sr. was arrested and sent to Siberia as a prisoner. He was arrested for being a notable and successful businessman who accumulated a great fortune by working hard. During Hovsep Sr.’s absence, his family migrated to Tehran, Iran in the search of freedom and a better life. Hovsep Sr. was released after 4 years of torture and rejoined the family in Tehran with only a few pennies in his pocket. around 1935 he borrowed money from friends and opened his bakery in the center of the Iranian capital, Tehran. With his capitalistic views, the business grew and became a household name among the Armenian, Russian, Jewish, and Greek communities.
In 1946 Hovsep Sr. passed away and left the business for his family to continue. Onnik and Grigor Ter-Poghossians took over with the notable Help of their mother, Anoush Ter-Poghossian, the wife of Hovsep Sr.. Running a bakery was not a simple task, especially in 1940’S; Therefore, the youngest son of the family, Rouben Ter-Poghossian, joined the family business full-time at the age of 8 while attending a French Catholic school. After graduating the 12th grade, Rouben dedicated all his energy towards the business.
The business continued its success and around 1962, Onnik and Rouben took a summer vacation to Europe. Upon their return to Tehran they brought new ideas and purchased machineries to manufacture chocolate. After several months of testing, the chocolate hit the store shelves. This was a new chapter that made Mignon what it is today. By the early 1970’s Mignon was known, among Iranians and all other minorities, as the “King of Chocolate” in Tehran. The success was enormous which drew the Shah’s (King of Iran) family for weekly trips to sweeten their lives. On several occasions, Rouben visited the King’s Palace to deliver and decorate birthday and anniversary cakes and chocolates.
Since August of 1988, Rouben took regular trips to Los Angeles. Upon each arrival, he brought dozens of his creations to the Armenian community and his relatives in Glendale.
In 2002, third generation chocolatiers Joe and Anoush Ter-Poghossians embraced the opportunity to introduce Angeleno chocolate fans the quality chocolates and truffles that was absent in Los Angeles area. The current menu includes 60 plus flavors of chocolates and truffles with additional seasonal flavors. The favorite still remains dark chocolate dipped orange peel strips, the Hazelnut Truffles, Ginger with Lime Seasalt to name a few.
Due to growing demand, Mignon’s creations can now be found at the retail shops in Glendale and Pasadena in Southern California.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The struggles are always there, but you have to face each struggle in a way to learn from it and try to avoid it in the future. The struggles range from staffing, suppliers, to equipment. The staffing remains the main problem, and we have learned to appreciate and make sure the best are rewarded fairly and keep them satisfied.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are a chocolate company that is specialized in handmade chocolates and truffles made locally (in LA area) in small batches. We produce everything in our factory in Van Nuys, CA and have them retailed in our stores in Glendale and Pasadena. In addition to this we wholesale our products to other local (Southern CA area) shops and cafes. We also do private label runs for hotels, restaurants, cafes, and gift shops. With our private label program, the businesses can have their logo placed on the chocolates, boxes, or labels.
What sets up from others? Mainly, we use the best and freshest ingredients to handmade our chocolates, without the use of chemicals or preservatives.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up in a family which chocolate was the center of everything. I grew up walking in the chocolate factory something most people can’t imagine doing in their lifetime. I always liked the smell, the texture, the flavor, and the process of making it. As I grew older, I started experimenting new techniques and creating recipes. Besides chocolate, I was a big sports fan, I played pretty much every sport but soccer was my favorite. I excelled in soccer since early age and I feel fortunate to be able to play and enjoy at my age.
Contact Info:
- Address: 315 N Verdugo Rd. Glendale, CA 91206
6 E Holly St. Pasadena, CA 91103 - Website: www.MignonChocolate.com
- Phone: 8185499600
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: mignon_chocolate_glendale_ca
- Facebook: Mignon-Chocolate
- Twitter: mignonchocolate
- Yelp: Mignon Chocolate
Image Credit:
Mignon Chocolate
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
