Brussels (AFP)
During this Easter period, "we are usually all on deck". But this year, the Brussels resident Laurent Gerbaud is alone in his stationary workshop, busy filling bags of chocolates which he is about to deliver.
This artisan chocolate maker has closed his shop for more than three weeks, following the containment measures decided by the Belgian authorities to fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
"As a food business, I could have stayed open. I tried for three days, it was a disaster," says the forties, who now makes only about 10% of its usual turnover of Easter. Not enough to allow this entrepreneur, who employs six full-time people and 25 student jobs, to pay the wages.
In this district of the heart of Brussels, close to the main museums, the tourist clientele is no longer there. He has resigned himself to putting his staff on temporary layoff, and is selling his stock through two online sales platforms, with orders from loyal customers and word of mouth.
If he experienced the lockdown following the attacks in Paris in November 2015, nothing comparable to this halt.
"At the cash level I can hold out until mid-May, after that it will start to be really complicated", recognizes this craftsman, who nevertheless wants to "remain optimistic, otherwise it will be depressed!".
All of his Easter eggs have already been sold, the coated fruit and the bars remain. The ganaches, which could not be kept, were offered to the caregivers.
In total, more than 13 million eggs, rabbits, cookies and other confectionery were donated by Belgian chocolate makers to healthcare structures and hospitals, according to the Choprabisco association which brings together 170 professionals from the sector in Belgium.
- "Bring up the spirits" -
If Easter usually represents between 15 and 30% of the turnover of chocolate makers, "this percentage will certainly be lower this year", estimates the general secretary of the association, Guy Gallet.
Sales in tourist spots and airports are particularly affected, he said. At Brussels Airport, which prides itself on being "the largest chocolate sales outlet in the world, with more than 800 tonnes per year", passenger traffic is reduced to a minimum.
The association notes, however, that "e-commerce explodes".
The creations of star chocolatier Pierre Marcolini, who has also had to close his stores in Belgium, Paris and London "until further notice" are only available online.
Away from the tourist circuits, in a district in the south of Brussels, the craftsman Jérôme Grimonpon has decided to reopen, a week after having closed its doors.
"I received phone calls from people who said to me + we need chocolates at these times, Easter is approaching +", he says, in his workshop with large picture windows where two workers wearing masks are busy .
Now customers are admitted one by one into the adjoining shop, at reduced hours, and by appointment. A delivery service has also been set up.
"There is a shortfall, clearly," admits the craftsman, who estimates making half of his usual sales, while Easter represents the second most important period after the end of year celebrations.
But he can count on a neighborhood clientele: "people still go out a bit to do their shopping, and I'm not far from big supermarkets".
Two customers wait outside the door. Rita, a civil servant, came by bicycle to collect her order. "When we telecommute it's good to have a box next to the computer, it cheers up," she smiles. She also comes to "support" the activity of a craftsman, rather than buying in supermarkets.
To help these local artisans get through the crisis, an online platform has also been launched, "not without my chocolate", which makes it possible to locate chocolate makers near home.
© 2020 AFP