Arlington, Texas— The Texas Rangers and Comerica Bank today announced the winner of the Comerica Call-Up contest, aimed to support women-owned and minority-owned small businesses in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Dallas-based chocolate store CocoAndre Chocolatier was selected as the grand prize winner of this year’s contest. Owned by mother-daughter duo Cindy and Andrea Pedraza, the business first opened in 2009, eventually moving to its Oak Cliff storefront in 2014.  

“CocoAndre Chocolatier is more than just chocolate, it’s a bond that we’ve created with our customers that have become some of our best friends,” said owner Cindy Pedraza. “The friendships and bonds that we’ve created over the years are priceless and that is the fuel that keeps us going. At the end of the day we are like the Rangers— a team that together has become legendary and respected in the Hispanic Community”

As a continuation of the 2020 “Rally Back” contest, which helped businesses overcome struggles induced by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Rangers and Comerica Bank announced the Comerica Call-Up contest in June to once again help women-owned and minority-owned small businesses across the community.

To enter, eligible businesses submitted a video or essay that detailed “Why their business is valuable to the community, highlighting the struggles and obstacles the business has overcome to successfully grow.”

Three finalists were selected from over 400 entries and invited to pitch their business in-person at Globe Life Field in front of Rangers executives, former Rangers pitcher Darren Oliver, and Comerica’s National Director of Retail and Small Business Banking Rhonda Davenport Johnson.

The panel of judges considered originality and creativity, and connection and experience with the Texas Rangers. Finalists were also evaluated on the expression of the obstacles the business has overcome and the support and value the business adds to its community. CocoAndre Chocolatier uses its Oak Cliff property to offer a safe platform where local businesses that do not have a brick mortar can host pop-ups and markets that showcase up-and-coming brands throughout the year.

With this win, CocoAndre Chocolatier will receive advertising and marketing support on the Rangers’ social channels, on the Rangers Radio Network, and in the Rangers’ 2022 game program, as well as four tickets to a 2022 Rangers game at Globe Life Field and a private suite night provided by Comerica Bank.

First Runner-Up was awarded to Cornbread Hustle, a staffing agency that offers those with a criminal history or recovering addicts a job education and transformation program to get them back on their feet. Second Runner-Up was awarded to Fort Worth business Game Theory that combines cocktails, pub food and board games with the purpose of getting people to interact and put down their phones. Both businesses were honored with recognition in a Rangers social post and received four tickets to a 2021 Rangers game at Globe Life Field.