Local Voices: Living the Sweet Life

North Tonawanda resident Heidi Urban spends all day thinking about chocolate — and wouldn’t have it any other way.

When Heidi Urban was working in the tech industry, she surely couldn’t envision that her future job’s “research and development” would involve dipping things in chocolate to see what tasted best. Potato chips smothered in chocolate? Check! A Flamin’ Hot Cheeto? Pass.

Urban’s chocolate-covered journey began when her husband took the reins at Platter’s Chocolate Factory in North Tonawanda, a real-deal chocolate factory that’s been in operation since the lean days of 1938. Founded by Carl Platter, who created the factory’s trademark orange chocolate sponge candy, Platter’s was purchased by Heidi’s father-in-law, Roger Urban, back in 1974.

“He didn’t have any chocolate knowledge,” Urban says. “But he was a successful entrepreneur. He knew this product was amazing — he grew up down the street — and thought he could have some success in wholesaling. And did he ever.”

His four children took over for him when he passed away, growing the business and ultimately moving the factory to the historic Wurlitzer Building. “This is where the story gets fun,” Urban says. “The idea was to showcase how our chocolate is made, so our production is all behind glass. We’ve really become a destination for people — who come to Niagara County from all over the world — to experience our chocolatiers at work.”

But the best part, says Urban?

“It’s our café, where you can sit and watch and have a coffee or some ice cream — and, of course, some chocolate!”

A Hub for the Community

“These days, Platter’s has become a space to share in community,” Urban says. “Baseball teams come to celebrate after their games. We have a group of Niagara Falls firefighters who come every Friday morning. And people invite us, via our chocolate, into their homes, too, for Christmas and Easter and birthdays and all those special moments. I like to think that we’re not just making candy — we’re becoming a meaningful part of people’s lives.”

Favorite Platter’s Treats

“When I met my husband and found out what his family did, I was so excited, because I could finally figure out how they got the juice inside the chocolate-covered cherries, which were always my favorites,” Urban laughs.

Other favorites? “It changes seasonally!” Urban says. “At Easter, I love the Peanut Butter Crate Eggs, which are a whipped peanut butter covered in chocolate. But my go-to year-round is the Sprinkled Almond Butter Crunch, which I’ve loved since I was a kid. I also love anything dipped in chocolate, including Bugles and gummy bears.”

Urban’s Must-Dos in North Tonawanda…

  • “The Herschell Carousel Factory Museum is a must — I love the link it shares with our building, the Wurlitzer Building. When the carousels were built, they needed an organ to go inside — and the organs were built here, since they needed a vendor who was close by.” Meet Doug Bathke from the Herschell Museum here.

  • “You can spend a day just poking around the little shops on Webster Street, which is North Tonawanda’s main street. When the weather’s nice, find a patio on the canal, rent a bike or rent a kayak — the summertime is amazing on the waterfront.”

…and Farther Afield, in Niagara County

  • “The Lower Niagara River is absolutely amazing. When you hike in the Niagara Gorge, the view is amazing, of course, but the feeling it gives you that is what really sticks with you. You can feel the rush of the river and its sheer power."
  • “We have a beautiful wine region — just being able to roll through some country roads and take in the scenery is an experience. It’s mind-blowing how many different wineries there are, and it’s so neat to be able to taste the fruits of their labors.”
I like to think that we’re not just making candy — we’re becoming a meaningful part of people’s lives.
Heidi Urban

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