Cassandra Brown, owner of Una Bella Salute on Broad Street, will offer tastings of olive oil, vinegar and other spe- cialty products this Friday evening during Second Friday Art Stroll in downtown Berlin.

By Rachel Ravina, Staff Writer

(Nov. 7, 2019) It may be quieter than those summer Second Friday Art Strolls in Downtown Berlin, but this Friday’s offseason version will continue to offer residents and visitors plenty of art to appreciate.

The event takes place during the second Friday of each month. Area shops and restaurants will stay open later with extended hours, generally to around 8 p.m., said Stephanie Fowler, secretary for Berlin’s Arts and Entertainment Committee.

“It’s maybe a little bit quieter than what the summer months are, but [there’s] certainly still an opportunity for people to stroll Berlin and shop locally,” said Robin Tomaselli, vice president of Berlin’s Arts and Entertainment Committee and owner of Baked Dessert Cafe on Bay Street.

Tomaselli said artwork from more than 20 local artists hangs on the bakery’s walls. 

The bakery will stay open until around 7 p.m. and will have 20 percent off wine sales for Second Friday, she said, adding that she plans to have tastings of “sweet and savory offerings or a sampling of our sustainable wine.”

Cassandra Brown, owner of Una Bella Salute on Broad Street, said she plans to do something similar by holding tastings for olive oil, vinegar and other specialty products. 

Brown said she plans to stay open later and she loves how events like Second Friday Art Stroll bring more business to Berlin.

“Because it gives exposure to the town, and lets people know what we have to offer,” she said.

Brown also said having shops and restaurants stay open later in Berlin is nostalgic for her.

“I guess [it’s] bringing back the old town feeling because Berlin was always open late on Friday nights in the past,” Brown said.

Patti Backer, artist and owner of The Dusty Lamb on William Street agreed.

“And it’s really fun once it starts to get cooler because … Berlin really lends itself to that with all the lights,” Backer said.

Backer said she’d also stay open until 8 p.m. not just on Second Friday, but every Friday during the holiday season. 

As for the number of businesses that participate in Second Friday Art Stroll, Fowler estimated that “half a dozen or so” get involved. 

Fowler added that they’ve also held inside events during previous Second Friday Art Strolls in the offseason. She also said she loves when “artists and local merchants mix.”

“[It] always makes me smile, and feel like we are doing the right thing,” Fowler said. 

For more information about Second Friday Art Stroll, visit the Berlin Art and Entertainment Committee’s website at artsinberlin.org/2nd-friday-art-stroll.