Despite the rainy weather downtown businesses opened their doors and invited visitors to come stroll the local area to shop and enjoy the holiday festivities during the annual Holida
by Amy Batista, Special Writer
BORDENTOWN CITY — Despite the rainy weather downtown businesses opened their doors and invited visitors to come stroll the local area to shop and enjoy the holiday festivities during the annual Holiday Chocolate Walk this past Friday night.
”It’s usually a great event,” said Fran Illuminati, of Personables-Personables Baby. “We are hoping that the weather does not keep everybody away. We are all set for it.”
The event, hosted by the Downtown Bordentown Association, helps promote local restaurants and businesses while giving guests from near and far a chance explore the town.
The event was free to participate in and is done twice a year, around Christmas time and then around Valentine’s Day.
A passport provided to guests allowed them to sample a variety of chocolate desserts and beverages served by participating eateries and businesses. By visiting eight of the participating businesses listed on the passport, attendees would be entered for a chance to win $50 in “Bordentown Bucks.”
”All the merchants have a good time,” said Doug Palmieri, owner of the Old Book Shop of Bordentown.
Randy Ellis, owner of Randy’s Now Man Cave, was putting out some chocolate pudding shots with Bailey’s and Smirnoff’s to guests who were over 21 years old who stopped by during the evening.
”We made 75 shots so when they go, they go,” said Mr. Ellis, of Bordentown City. “It might be a little slow because of the rain but we will see.
”It’s a great asset to the town and businesses,” Mr. Ellis added.
The shop features a wide range of Christmas chocolate, he said, ranging from ‘Edamame’, ‘Bosco,’ ‘Where’s Waldo?,’ ‘Christmas Peeps,’ ‘Candy Cane Life Savers’ and much more. The store also features an upside down Christmas tree for sale.
Friends Mary Chiodo, of Burlington City, and Angela Kiel, of Burlington City, were taking the chocolate tour for the first time and were self-professed “chocolaholics.”
”Loving this place,” said Ms. Chiodo, adding it was the first place they had stopped so far on the walk.
”This is really a fun store,” Ms. Chiodo said of Randy’s Now Man Cave.
The two friends found out about the event after seeing a postcard, which came through the mail at her work.
”It caught my eye so I immediately called her and said we have to go to Bordentown,” Ms. Chiodo said. “There’s going to be chocolate.”
”We’re having a great time,” said Ms. Kiel.
Upon trying the chocolate pudding shot, Ms. Chiodo found it to be “so good.”
Owners of Personables-Personables Baby, Fran and Tony Illuminati, were serving chocolate brownies and raspberry chocolate wine. It is also the drop of location of the passports.
”We usually get to meet a lot of great people,” said Ms. Illuminati. “They come from all different areas not just local.”
Ms. Illuminati hopes people will discover what the locals already know and treasures about their community.
”It’s a good chance for people what Bordentown is all about because they are so many cute shops and restaurants and great events that are exciting to learn,” Ms. Illuminati said.
Sandi Bongart, owner of Adorn Beauty Center and Spa, had a wide assortment of a dozen homemade-baked chocolate goodies on a table and chocolate wine and flavored coffees.
”We go all out,” said Ms. Bongart. “To us it’s great. People come in and realize a salon is there, go to the rest of the places and come back and say how great it is.”
The event is posted on its Facebook page along with a coupon.
People were hanging in the salon “socializing” who were also part of her social skills group that were also there.
Tom Moyer, owner of Shoppe 202, was serving chocolate martinis and cookies.
”The people that are coming in are fun and it’s nice to talk to them,” said Mr. Moyer. “Everybody has fun.”
The second annual window decorating competition was held simultaneously.
Businesses dressed up its windows for the holidays and asked the public to vote. The competition kicked off at the tree lighting and wrapped up at the Holiday Chocolate Walk.
Residents were encouraged to even vote for their favorite window via Facebook starting Dec. 1. Those businesses that placed first, second and third would win advertising dollars sponsored by Bordentown Current and Downtown Bordentown Association, according to the Downtown Bordentown Association Facebook page.
The next Downtown Bordentown Association event is the Holiday Historic Homes Tour from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. The association also is hosting its Holiday Carriage Rides on Dec. 14 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Dec. 15 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Santa is coming to town on Dec.14 to Jesters Café from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For other downtown event information, visit www.DowntownBordentown.com.

