Owner Brian Niec
outside of his own immediate circle would be interested in his product. “Fox 59 called then, and Lindy Thackston did a story on me,” Niec says. “It just organically blew up into a business, when I had no intention of making it a business whatsoever.” Niec describes the process of making his caramel flavors as a science rather than an art. “Once I figured out a recipe that I could make my own, I started thinking about how I could challenge it and make it different,” he says. “You can go anywhere and get caramel, but you can’t go anywhere and get Chocolate Flaked Java caramel or a German Chocolate caramel. That’s kind of how I tried to differentiate myself. The biggest thing that makes us different is the artisan flavors.”
CICERO CARAMEL COMPANY
LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER HAS A TASTE FOR THE CARAMEL BIZ Writer / Jon Shoulders Photographer / Jason Graves
Cicero Caramel Company arose out of Owner Brian Niec’s casual interest in finding a creative outlet to enjoy when not serving the community as a 17-year veteran law enforcement officer. “It was almost a complete fluke,” Niec says. “In 2018 my son had just been born, and I was trying to think of something to do that was not law enforcement related whatsoever. I’ve always been kind of a kitchen person and a baker, and I come from a family of bakers.”
Niec began tinkering with caramel recipes and presented a batch to the owners of Cicero Coffee Company, with whom he is friends. “They told me that I should sell it at their coffee shop,” Niec recalls. “I was surprised but they were ready to do it. After that, on a whim, I made the Cicero Caramel Company Facebook page thinking it would be for family and friends.” After returning to his job when his baby leave ended, Niec made a few more caramel batches made a post about it on his Facebook page, which was quickly shared more than 280 times. He was pleasantly surprised, and began to realize that people FEBRUARY 2021
Niec also built his concept around offering large quantities, for those interested in taking unique caramel flavors to a party or family gathering. He offers approximately 15 to 20 flavors through the official Cicero Caramel Company website at any given time, including Triple Chocolate Pretzel, Milk Chocolate Peanut Caramel, Pecan, Caramel Punkin Spice Roll and more. Orders are available to be shipped, or for delivery in most parts of Hamilton County. “I can arrange a pickup spot with you if you email me as well,” Niec adds. “We try to do things people want and will be excited about. People like Butterfinger candy bars, so we’re going to be doing a caramel with Butterfinger, and we do things like a caramel popcorn in July as a special.” Niec is able to make vegan versions of any flavor on his menu. “The Delectable, which is the milk chocolate pretzel, is probably my most well-known flavor,” he adds. “The Chocolate Flaked Java is up there too as one of my most popular, and even people who don’t like coffee go for that one. I also do a Double Decker, which is basically like an inside-out Twix bar.” As far as Niec’s own favorite flavor, he gravitates toward his caramel popcorn
