By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Cassopolis Vigilant
CASSOPOLIS - Along with adding an interesting shop on Broadway in Cassopolis, Patty Dresser has brought additional enthusiasm to the downtown.
Dresser's BitterSweet on Broadway October Fest this Saturday has expanded down the street with other merchants excited to participate.
Bittersweet is filled with whimsical and creative works of local artists. Many will be on hand Saturday, between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m., showing how they throw a pot on a wheel, or weave a rug on an antique loom. You can even have your caricature drawn.
While the artists are working, drink cider and eat donuts while listening to Bill Bosler's Pioneer Band, and the sounds of violin, dulcimer, and clarinet.
A drawing will give a lucky customer one of the clay cottages Dresser makes.
Village Floral, across the street from Dresser's will have discounts on their fall items and a 50 percent off table of summer items, said owner Becky Maier, to make more room for Christmas displays. They will raffle off a candle melter, perfect for their large selection of Yankee Candles.
Sandy and Tim Swenor of The Home Group will also have refreshments on both Friday and Saturday, and offer a drawing for 50 percent off a whole houseful of new or replacement Silver Line windows.
S &R Jewelers will be having sloppy joes and chips and a drawing Saturday for a one and a half carat oval amethyst, said Scott Ward, owner and designer.
Fiala and Smith is using this October Fest as an open house and to introduce the community to the fact they are going retail, as a growth to their successful business.
Their silk screen and specialities are shipped all across the nation. "We do one million items a year," said Kelli Fiala, president and 1978 Cassopolis High School graduate.
They will be soon expanding the number of products being offered, which now include blue lunchboxes with Cassopolis screen on and blankets with a nylon backing that are perfect for the fall football games. They have a large line of shirts with Christian sayings and for the Purpose Driven Life series.
Also in operation soon will be equipment which will offer them the ability to replicate a photo or design, even if the customer only wants to purchase one item.
Fiala and Smith will be giving away some novel promotional products and also having a raffle this weekend.