Tara Connelly grew up with a chocolate shop on the corner of her Buffalo, New York street and that love of chocolate has followed her throughout her life. Even her time as an oceanographer traveling to new places every few years never diminished her dreams of one day owning a chocolate store. In October of 2017 she got her wish when the owners of Sweettrio Chocolates decided it was time to retire and Tara bought the business…just in time for the height of the chocolate season. “It is sink or swim time right now,” the former oceanographer tells Outpost. “But my biggest assets are my employees who were here before me. That and talking to our customers is really what makes this experience so great.” Tara not only makes and oversees the business she’s also the one hand-delivering her treats to Outpost stores every week so pick up some of Sweettrio’s delicious chocolates this holiday season (try the Peppermint Bark!) and welcome this former New Yorker to Wisconsin with a sweet hello.