UPPER FREEHOLD — The Monmouth County Board of Freeholders and the Cream Ridge Winery are joining forces to host their first partnered event to help bring awareness to small local businesses.
The mini Made in Monmouth event will be held 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Cream Ridge Winery, 145 Route 539, Cream Ridge.
The event will small businesses from throughout Monmouth County, according to Freeholder Thomas Arnone.
“This is the first year we are working with the winery on this event, and we are hoping for a good turnout. I think it really puts awareness on small businesses out there and makes it public,” Arnone said.
Vendors expected to attend the event include the following:
Trappers Honey, Millstone Township
Scrumptious Scrubs, Allentown
The Hangover Pretzel Company, Freehold Township
Barbara’s Cookie Pies, Manalapan
Miss Maddie Marie’s, Allentown
Chocolate Legends, Colts Neck
Black Cat Pottery, Long Branch
Deescakes, Freehold
Pompeo Designs, Manalapan.
“Many of our participating vendors have products like chocolate cakes and handcrafted [items] that will be available for purchase,” Arnone said.
The Made in Monmouth initiative is in its fourth year and is a program that seeks out businesses with items that are manufactured in Monmouth County, according to Arnone.
Three years ago, the program partnered with Monmouth University, West Long Branch, to host a Made in Monmouth expo that featured dozens of vendors from across the county.
“Our event with the university has been growing in attendance annually, and since it began, it has really been a homerun and a great way to get the public’s response on local businesses throughout their communities,” Arnone said.
As a former small-business owner himself, Arnone said the operation of these businesses is the driving force for the county.
“It would be naïve to think this isn’t where it all starts, and small business is where most of our revenue is generated from. It is my and my fellow freeholders’ responsibility to do this and promote these businesses since many small-business owners do not have the ability to market as much as they wish to,” Arnone said.
For more information about the event, visit www.creamridgewinery.com.