Originally Posted On: https://sprelly.com/blogs/when-life-hands-you-peanuts-make-peanut-butter/sprelly-when-life-hands-you-peanuts-make-peanut-butter
Sprelly: When Life Hands You Peanuts, Make Peanut Butter.
In the heart of Fredericksburg, Virginia, nestled amid the charming streets of a bustling community, lies the flavorful tale of Sprelly, a gourmet peanut butter and jelly business that has captured the essence of both entrepreneurial spirit and culinary creativity. Founded by Adrian and Casey Silversmith, Sprelly is more than just a brand; it’s a manifestation of passion, perseverance, and community.
The journey began in 2005 when the Silversmiths relocated to Fredericksburg. Working together at the local convention center, they immersed themselves in the dynamics of sales and event organization, laying the groundwork for their future. Fast forward to a summer day in 2013, a visit to a local frozen yogurt shop with their two young daughters sparked the inception of Sprelly. It was this A-HA moment that pushed Adrian’s creative culinary mind on a flavorful journey that he didn’t yet know would redefine his professional trajectory.
And fate, as it seems, had its own corroborating plans. Adrian’s career in sales unexpectedly came to a halt exactly one week later, suddenly prompting him to navigate through the challenges of unemployment. It was during this period of uncertainty that the concept of Sprelly took root. Entering a local business plan competition that was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce proved to be a pivotal moment for Sprelly, where Adrian clinched the “Crowd Favorite” award and ignited his entrepreneurial zeal.
Armed with determination and a vision, Adrian borrowed money from his parents, purchased a nut grinder, and together with Casey, experimented at home with delicious flavors and varieties of gourmet nut butter spreads. They started small in the summer of 2014, selling their products at local farmers markets and events. Their tubs of Sprelly quickly “spread” throughout the community, capturing hearts and tantalizing taste buds!
As Sprelly gained traction, its presence expanded to several local markets, events, and festivals between Richmond, VA and Washington, DC. By 2016, Sprelly had evolved from a kitchen experiment that produced tubs of nut butter, to a bustling deli-style lunch counter dedicated to all things peanut butter and jelly and located in the heart of downtown Fredericksburg. Things were getting nuts for the Silversmiths when Sprelly won “Best Sandwich Shop” from Virginia Living Magazine in 2017 & 2018, cementing Sprelly as a culinary powerhouse.
The recognition and acclaim for their innovative flavors and gourmet pb&j combinations propelled Sprelly into the national spotlight in 2018. The Silversmiths were showcasing their newly conceptualized and packaged Sprelly products at the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City. Much to their surprise, Sprelly gained national attention as one of the trendiest & tastiest specialty foods in the country from USA Today, Entrepreneur Magazine, The Food Network, and Today.com!
Embracing the spirit of innovation and adaptability, the Silversmiths navigated through a few entrepreneurial pivots, twists and turns, ultimately redirecting their focus towards finding better means of packaging and distributing their now famous products. This strategic pivot culminated in 2021 when the Silversmiths established their new production headquarters in the Canal Quarter District of downtown Fredericksburg. This colorful building was refurbished by the Silversmiths and is literally dripping in peanut butter and jelly decor, both inside and out. In a nutshell, it’s filled with all sorts of Willy Wonka energy devoted solely to peanut butter and jelly. The Silversmiths handcraft, jar, label, retail, and sample all of their spreads and jellies at their little pb&j factory. If you’re lucky when you visit, you can even watch the culinary magic unfold if you catch them on a production day.
Sprelly has gained a reputation for its inventive combinations, such as the White Chocolate Almond Butter with Strawberry Prosecco Jam which, on pancakes or waffles in the morning, brings a whole new delicious meaning to breakfast. If you’re feeling adventurous, you should try their Sweet Thai Chili Peanut Butter which is paired with their Pineapple Coconut Jam, which gives you a delightfully spicy and tropically sweet south pacific twist on the humble pb&j. (You could also use these flavors in a pad Thai or a satay dish!) If those don’t pique your interest, fear not, as Sprelly offers a wide array of options. Among their top sellers are the Cinnamon French Toast Peanut Butter, perfectly complemented by their Triple Berry Jam and the Salted Butterscotch Peanut Butter paired with their tart Raspberry Zinfandel Jam. Sprelly and all of their Signature Pairings surely do one thing right; they elevate your PB+J Experience.
What sets Sprelly apart is Adrian’s culinary ingenuity and branding finesse, evident even in the small details like the semi-hidden pairing guide on each label. This guide unlocks a world of possibilities for adventurous PB&J enthusiasts, showcasing the endless gourmet combinations Sprelly has to offer. Sprelly makes crafting gourmet PB&J sandwiches both effortless and delightful. Simply choose your spread and choose your jelly, and embark on a journey of taste and texture with Sprelly’s artisanal PB&J creations.
The journey of Sprelly is not merely a narrative of business success; it’s a testament to the power of community engagement and social responsibility. Casey, who was born with severe hearing loss, is active with her involvement as Board President of The Disability Resource Center, which underscores Sprelly’s commitment to empowering the disabled community. Adrian’s outreach efforts through various speaking engagements exemplify their dedication to sharing insights and inspiration with aspiring entrepreneurs.
Beyond the realm of business, the Silversmiths find fulfillment in their roles as parents to their two daughters, infusing every aspect of their entrepreneurial journey with a profound sense of love, purpose, and encouragement.
Today, Sprelly is shipping its gourmet nut butter spreads and jellies to eager customers nationwide. You can visit their website (www.sprelly.com) and choose from their entire lineup of products, or just trust the experts with their signature pairings that really do elevate the classic PB&J. With each jar embodying a labor of love and a sprinkle of delicious creativity, Sprelly takes culinary innovation with the entrepreneurial spirit, and continues to spread the joy, one spoonful at a time.
