22 The QUEE NS Courier • SEPTEMBER 24, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com Sweet new beginning for an iconic candy shop BY KELLY MARIE MANCUSO editorial@queenscourier.com @KellyMMancuso When Aigner’s Chocolates, located at 103-02 Metropolitan Ave. in Forest Hills, closed its gates during the summer, a ripple of sadness and disbelief went through the community. This feeling did not last long, however, as shop owners Peter and Pia Aigner announced that their 85-year long tradition of candy making would continue through a partnership with new owner Mark Libertini and his family, starting with a grand re-opening celebration of Aigner’s Chocolates on Oct. 22. “It’s nice to see a tradition continue,” Peter Aigner said. “Mark knows his stuff with chocolate. He has a great confectionery background and he’s going to master all of the skills that I have mastered. It will be great for the neighborhood and all of Queens.” The shop was originally founded by Alfred Krause in 1930. Aigner’s father developed a partnership with Krause after answering his advertisement seeking a professional European chocolatier. Aigner’s family had established roots in the community, with his grandparents already living in Ridgewood. The Aigner family purchased the business from Krause in 1960 and has served the community from their enchanting Forest Hills storefront for the past 50 years. “It’s definitely old-world candy making recipes that we use here,” Pia Aigner added. “Everything is made from scratch, no shortcuts.” The Aigners have been busy passing on their Austrian family recipes, techniques and traditions to Libertini in advance of the store’s re-opening and the upcoming holiday season. The confectioners have been hard at work creating Halloween-themed sweets, including jack-o’-lantern lollipops, chocolate witches and nut cluster cups with ghosts piped onto them. Libertini also has a long and successful history of crafting sweet treats and confections. He graduated culinary school in 1992 and went on to manage and own several successful eateries. He honed his craft while working as the manager of Buttercup Bakeshop, an offshoot of the popular Magnolia Bakery, in Manhattan. He went on to open Little Cupcake Bakeshop in Bay Ridge, as well as a tapas restaurant shortly thereafter. On a recent visit to Forest Hills intending to pick up some chocolate at Aigner’s, Libertini saw that the shop was closed. He contacted the family and met with them the same day. According to Libertini, they immediately hit it off and finalized the deal last week. “I always wanted a chocolate shop,” he explained. “I thought it was a unique opportunity to take over a well-established brand with an 85-year history.” Despite the new ownership, Libertini promised to keep the Aigner’s menu, traditions and name alive, while also adding his own personal touch to the shop once he becomes more settled. “The idea for me is to keep the Aigner’s brand and recipes the same,” he explained. “They have a great, rich tradition which I’d like to maintain. While Libertini does plan to do some light redecorating, he vows to keep the original equipment and machinery used by the Aigners for decades. “This is unique because all of the equipment here is from the 1940s and 1950s,” he explained. “Most chocolate shops don’t have this type of equipment. I like the tradition. It’s almost like a confectionary museum. You can’t find this anymore.” Libertini hopes to introduce some new menu items next year, including chocolate showpieces and his own intricate, hand-piped chocolate cards. He will also be expanding the shop’s coffee menu and hopes to add café tables, making Aigner’s a sweet, intimate date night destination. “I’m really happy to be here,” Libertini said. “It’s a joy for me to see people’s happiness in the things that I’ve created.” Photo by Kelly Marie Mancuso Pia and Peter Aigner (l) pose with their daughter and new owner Mark Libertini inside Aigner’s Chocolate shop, soon to be re-opened on Oct. 22. Sweet Celebration! Bow Wow Meow Cafe & Concierge, located in Maspeth and members of the Maspeth Chamber of Commerce, is a boutique party planning service for your pets. We specialize in hosting events from weddings to welcome home parties and everything in between to honor and celebrate pets. Our staff is Pet Tech CPR & First Aid trained to ensure your pet’s safety during every event. With guidance and support, we will turn your ideas into a reality. It’s a fun, easy and affordable way to help make your pet’s special day unforgettable! We take care of everything for you: finding the perfect venue, planning the guest of honor’s outfit, and supplying party favors and freshly baked goods. You will be able to choose from a variety of flavors of gourmet treats that will be served to your four-legged guests. Some of our most popular flavors include carob, peanut butter and pumpkin, all of which are made with 100% natural ingredients. Find us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for updates on some upcoming street fairs we will be attending and new products. Be sure to visit our website or contact us if you have any questions about our services or products!
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