WESTWOOD—In its second year, the Brookside Bazaar saw a strong and steady turnout at the Westwood Community Center on Saturday, Nov. 4. The Brookside Elementary School community craft fair was well attended and enjoyed by families and members of the broader Bergen County area.
One of the organizers, school parent Nicole Tronolone Sandt, told Pascack Press the bazaar was the place to be for artists, crafters, retailers, vendors, creatives and entrepreneurs of all ages to showcase their work and participate in a venue that aims to support local small businesses and celebrate fall.
The inaugural bazaar ran Nov. 5, 2022.
From henna tattoos and interactive art activities by Westwood’s ArtsHub and Yellow Door Art Studio, to a sold-out treat table by Hillsdale French-inspired cafe and event title sponsor Le Carré Café & Pâtisserie, to a ‘mini’ bazaar that featured 13 of Brookside’s own entrepreneurial and creative students, the event supported more than 30 artisans and crafters, as well as the local Westwood Brookside Elementary School’s PTO.
It was a memorable day of shopping local, family fun and getting into the holiday spirit.
More than 30 local businesses, artists, crafters and creatives—from fan-favorite returning shops to new discoveries–were curated to showcase their distinct wares.
Shopping included handcrafted signs and journals, personalized accessories and gifts, children and baby apparel, batch-baked sweet treats, jewelry, Cardinal spirit items, artisanal soaps, body scrubs and self-care items, embroidery and crochet work, and much more.
Brookside Elementary School students sold handmade items from bracelets and jewelry to carefully crafted mini clay garden items and positive pocket hugs, hand-painted ornaments, mini candles with signature scents and an ever-favorite: slime.
In addition to shopping small, the free-to-enter event hosted fun activities including a children’s mural-in- the-making led by event sponsor Yellow Door Art Studio, henna designs from Henna by Nevs, temporary tattoos by Lighthouse Tattoo Parlor, craft bear building by Bear Magic, unique caricature drawings, and a 50/50 raffle.
Patrons skipped its daily line on Broadway and enjoyed the French-inspired pastries of the event’s title sponsor, Le Carré Café & Pâtisserie. Signature croissants, macarons and more were available for purchase, while supplies lasted. Westwood’s Tokyo Cafe sold a selection of its bubble teas.
The full list of confirmed vendors included A Journal For Your Thoughts, Bear Magic, Bellissimo Boutique, Celebrate Westwood, Crispy Edge Cookies, Designs by Lori, Farmhouse Studio, Hazelwood Wreath Co., Henna by Nevs, Jenerally Crafty Mama, Jill Pettit Designs, Just Jewelry by Katie, Knots by Sim, Lady Diss Designs, Lighthouse Tattoo Parlor, Miss Fontsy Pants, Once Upon A Board, Saltso, Suds by Nic, That Embroidery Co., Tokyo Café, Top to Bottom Kids, Totally Tiff Creations, Twinkle & Shine, Upnique, and Yellow Door Art Studio.