Local Businesses Hold 'Holiday Fare'

Local businesses within Whizin Market Square joined together Saturday to host a 'Holiday Fare.'

Leslie Brenner, co-owner of Hugo's Restaurant, created the event to follow the popular which was held next door at the Do It Center.

"The revitalization of Whizin Market Square was always accompanied by a
vision of the area becoming an active community center," said Brenner. "Many of the businesses came here with that in mind, so even though the renovation isn't complete, it was easy to take the next step of combining our efforts to become that community center we want to be by creating 'Holiday Fair.'"

As part of the festivities, businesses offered demonstrations, food tastings, raffles and activities.

Tifa Chocolate & Gelato will be moving to Whizin's in January of 2013. Consequently, Mike Ashmalla, owner of the family-run business, was on-hand to offer tastings of a variety of chocolates as well as of their renowned homemade gelatos.

"We have chocolate from around the world–Italy, France, Belgium, Madagascar–and we brought three of our gelatos: dark chocolate, peppermint bark and our strawberry-rose sorbetto," he said, indicating his spread.

The Hugo's table offered tea and food samplings.

"We're trying to build a community here," said Emily Kaplan, co-owner of the restaurant. "Business comes second to that, and we wanted to get into the holiday spirit."