February 4, 2015 at 4:40 p.m.
Taste of Chocolate is the sweetest event of the year
Taste of Chocolate is the sweetest event of the year
By Kayla Thomason-
Participants will be able to taste a wide variety of chocolate treats from 5 to 8 p.m.
Tickets are $5.
Purchase of a ticket also enters guests into the Printpack Golden Ticket raffle. The winner will win $1,000 in Downtown Bucks. Tickets can be purchased at Northern Coffee Haus, Rhinelander Cafe & Pub and Trig's.
The Printpack Golden Ticket will be drawn at 8:15 p.m. at Pat's Tavern & Grill, located at 70 Brown Street.
Businesses that are participating in the event will have hearts with Taste of Chocolate written on them hanging in doorways or windows. Many businesses will have sales to coincide with the event, as well as smooth, creamy chocolate treats.
Thirty businesses participated in Taste of Chocolate last year. That's about average but with all the new businesses in the downtown area the number may increase this year, according to Maggie Steffen, executive director of Downtown Rhinelander, Inc. (DRI).
"This is one of the events that both customers and businesses really enjoy," Steffen said. "The whole idea is to get people to come downtown, get people to see what we all have to offer whether it is a brand new business or if it's something that you didn't realize an existing business dealt with."
DRI sells approximately 500 tickets each year and Steffen said many people use Taste of Chocolate as a date night or a time to get out with friends.
"I think people get together in groups and come out and have fun," said Michele Baumgartner, owner/creator of Bath and Body - Inspired by Jan.
She will have chocolate candles, chocolate lotion, and other sweet products available for purchase as well as mid-winter items on clearance.
This is the second year she has participated in Taste of Chocolate.
"I thought it was great last year, it was a lot of fun," she said.
She likes staying open later and visiting with the customers.
Bath and Body - Inspired by Jan will have a drawing for a giveaway for a gift certificate or product.
According to Steffen, Taste of Chocolate falls during the time of year when "everyone is looking for something to do so everyone likes (Taste of Chocolate)."
She added that business owners like the event because it draws a lot of people and hopefully they will make purchases or keep them in mind for future gifts.
"I think it's a great downtown event, " said Brenda O'Rourke, marketing coordinator for the Rhinelander Brewing Company. "It gets people to come in and take a look (around). Not everybody knows we've got a chocolate stout beer, so I think it gives us good exposure in that regard."
The Rhinelander Brewing Company will be offering a delectable chocolate cake made with their beer.
"It's really good," O'Rourke said.
This is the third year they have participated in Taste of Chocolate and they enjoy it.
Frasier Kitchens has participated in Taste of Chocolate for eight years.
"I love it, it's a great way to be able to see past customers and other friends that we have in the community," said Nancy Frasier, co-owner of Frasier Kitchens. "We don't sell anything at all when the downtown has these events. For us it's more customer service and a way for us to support our community and the people that live in it."
Their chocolate chili is popular with Taste of Chocolate guests who stop in to warm up and see the stunning kitchen and bathroom displays.
"The one (chocolate-themed food) that has always been the biggest hit is our chocolate chili," Frasier said. "So, we have chosen to do something that has chocolate in it but it's more savory since there's so much sweet chocolate that people will be trying."
Frasier will prepare 16 quarts of the sweet, savory chili for the event.
Last year was Kids In Need's first year participating in Taste of Chocolate. Tammy Ellis, program director of Kids In Need, is excited for year two.
"It was great last year, there were quite a few people out and it was freezing last year," Ellis said. "We actually got some donations out of it and some new clients, so it's a great community outreach."
Big Daddy's is a veteran of Taste of Chocolate. This will be the tavern's sixth year.
People who stop at Big Daddy's can enjoy chocolate martinis, which will be sold for $5.
"The chocolate martini, that goes over really well," Aaron Schultz, owner of Big Daddy's said.
There may even be chocolate-covered strawberries if the fruit is reasonably priced.
"(Taste of Chocolate is) such a popular event," he said. "It's a great event for downtown, it's a really good idea."
Other participating businesses are 13 Gifts, Book World, Bucketheads, Calvary Baptist Church Headwaters Christian Youth, Dianne's Frame Shoppe, Dubl Digits, Fun Factory Sweet Shoppe, Hext Theatre/Stage Left Cafe, House of Spirits, Imaginuity, Jamberry Nails at Northern Coffee Haus, Knight Gallery, Lund and Taylor Bridal Gallerie, Mel's Trading Post, Northern Coffee Haus, Northland Music, Northwoods River News, Rhinelander Cafe & Pub, Thirty One Gifts at Northern Coffee Haus, Trig's Floral and Home, and Tula's Cafe.
Kayla Breese may be reached at [email protected].
Comments:
You must login to comment.