Phyllis Lockwood Geiger
The Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute and the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management are grateful for the contribution of the industry leaders who are part of our Industry Advisory Board. We take this opportunity to thank all members who have been with us for the past years sharing their experiences and insights with our faculty, researchers, students and staff. We are excited to continue expanding our board and welcoming new insights and perspectives in the field.
The tourism, hospitality and event management industries benefit immensely from research and training the next generation of professionals. Our Industry Advisory Board continues to contribute to research projects, curriculum adjustments, and student opportunities. This month, we welcome Christine Hoffman to our board.
Phyllis Lockwood Geiger founded Peterbrooke Chocolatier in Jacksonville, Florida’s San Marco neighborhood in 1983. She named her business after her two children, Peter and Brooke. Her mission was to translate the European art of hand tempering chocolate into the “American Neighborhood” experience. It was an immediate success. The number of Peterbrooke stores grew to three when she realized she needed a Production Center. In 1996 Phyllis enrolled in the International Retail Confectionery school at Gannon University to learn about making larger batches of chocolate. Peterbrooke focuses on producing delicious hand-dipped chocolates based on local and regional American favorites. Peterbrooke was on the leading edge of America’s gourmet movement. Her original shop represented a drastic change from the brown and brass feel of old. Peterbrooke is sleek and simple using white, hot pink, and blue as a backdrop to present the chocolate as gift or self-indulgence. Peterbrooke’s iconic blue bag is well known in Jacksonville and now in new neighborhoods.
As CEO, Phyllis designed and opened 15 shops throughout North Florida and Orlando. Phyllis’s legacy continues as Peterbrooke Chocolatier grows to over 22 brick and mortar locations in Southeast United States from Atlanta to Palm Beach and Boca Raton. Visit their locations at www.peterbrooke.com.
Phyllis serves as a chocolate consultant along with serving her schools and community as a mentor and benefactor. She is a graduate of The Williston Northampton, Easthampton, Ma., where three generations of her family have graduated. As a member of The Elm Tree Society, she continues to help to develop and support her father’s, The H.L. Lockwood’s Scholarship.
Business affiliations have included: The Women’s Food Alliance, The Jacksonville Women’s Network, the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce, San Marco Merchants Association, Retail Confectioners International, The First Coast Manufacturers Association, San Marco Preservation, and Cornerstone.
Phyllis founded Café Carmon in 1985. It was an American bistro, Café Carmon. In 1990 she sold her shares to her partner, T. Wayne Davis, Winn Dixie Family.
“Many awards during the years…but the Greatest was in 2015 The Hall of Fame Award given by the Visit Jacksonville and the Beaches Tourism Council. It was presented to both myself, Founder of Peterbrooke and my son, Peter, Founder of Sweet Pete’s Candy at an award luncheon. It was in recognition of ‘vision, creativity, and passion to develop an iconic and uniquely Jacksonville brand for visitors…’”
