Ghirardelli is one of the oldest continuously operating businesses in America.

During the California Gold rush in the mid-1800s, Domingo Ghirardelli shrewdly discovered that the exhausted miners in from the fields were starved for luxuries and needed something to spend their gold dust on.

To capitalize on this opportunity, he stocked chocolate delicacies to ensure that they solicited his shop.

Since that time over 150 years ago, Ghirardelli continues to manufacture and market premium "chocolate delicacies" in the spirit and heritage of its founder. In addition, Ghirardelli is one of the few original and continuously operating businesses in California.

Ghirardelli was one of the first American manufacturers to fully understand and use the power of advertising and promotion.

During the late 1800’s, Ghirardelli hired the best available artists and advertising experts to saturate the West with the Ghirardelli name and logo.

As a result, Ghirardelli’s chocolate products were marketed to a nation of homemakers and became a household staple.

Today, these advertising images can be seen on the walls of Ghirardelli Soda Fountain and Chocolate Shops, some of which are displayed here.