In June 1998, she moved her chocolate company from Washington State to Fredericksburg. Lecia is the only chocolatier in the nation to produce liquid center chocolates filled with spirits, wines, non-alcohols, even cocktails, a unique twist on a centuries’ old European process.
In 1996, David and Beverly Smith opened Gillespie Air Services, the sole Fixed-Base Operator (FBO) at the Gillespie County Airport. The company’s facilities include professional flight support services, fuel, business aircraft storage hangars and a car rental service.
Leaving corporate America, Dave found himself at Heartland Enterprises, a Fredericksburg company founded in 1986. Dave purchased the company in 1997 and has been here ever since. Heartland specializes in the production machining of large parts, in a variety of materials. The company has skilled, company-trained employees who are happy to make Heartland a career.
Brian Heath purchased Grape Creek Vineyards from the founder’s heirs in 2006. Since then, the wine production has grown ten-fold, largely due to Gillespie County’s thriving wine industry. Grape Creek now has three locations, and is one of the largest wineries in the State.
