TRAVERSE CITY -- Susan Boyer is a self proclaimed "chocoholic"...and you'd have to be if you owned a business that sells 20 flavors of chocolate truffles... even a chocolate chess set.

"Lots of chocolate, truffles and molds and we sell mini cakes and large cakes and wedding cakes.  We also have gifts available...The raspberry truffle is probably the number one seller," says Boyer.

Boyer opened Chocolate Exotica in Traverse City three years ago and has been selling the locally made sweet treats ever since.

"I think that's what's really special about our store.  It's made right here and it's made daily and it's so fresh.  If you're a chocoholic, really into chocolates you like it really fresh," says Boyer.

The chocolate delicacies are so fresh since they're made everyday from scratch.

"I think no matter what the economy is, everybody needs a little treat now and then so we offer that for people....There's no delivery time or anything.  It's right here.  It's made in the kitchen and it's right here out on the shelf," says Boyer.

It's a fresh concept with a very sweet economic impact.

"I think that's what's so neat about Traverse City is we have all these local people with so much local talent and creativity and if we support that I think this town will continue to do well and grow like this," says Boyer.

If you have a special chocolate mold that you would like made, Boyer says to bring it to her store and she'd be happy try something new.  Right now she's getting her chocolates ready for Easter and wedding season.

Chocolate Exotica is located next door to The Grand Traverse Pie Company on Front Street in Traverse City.

If you would like to nominate a business in your community for our Made with Michigan Hands report email Melissa Smith at: msmith@upnorthlive.com