Poffertjes have a long history dating back to the 1700s. A Dutch treasure, these tiny pancakes have a few fabled stories on how they became so popular in Europe over the past three centuries.

Some believe that these delectable treats have roots in a Dutch Abbey, where the mini-pancakes were used as a type of host for weekly communion. An acute shortage of wheat flour during the French Revolution meant that buckwheat flour was used to make the pancake batter, which afforded a decidedly plump and even more delicious end product. When regular church-goers sampled the tiny pancakes, they were hooked. End of story.

The mini-pancakes were prepared using a cast-iron poffertjes pan and were quickly became known as poffertjes because they puffed up considerably during the cooking process, the story goes.

This holiday season, you have a chance to try them out for yourself. Poffertjes and More by The Littlest Pancake is located at Holidazzle and makes a great treat for you and yours to enjoy this holiday season.

They’re made by the VanZyl’s, Steve and Karin, a couple who have a deep appreciation for good, quality food and these poffertjes’ origins. The VanZyl’s are a Dutch family, and Karin herself lived in France and Germany when she was young.

They’re making poffertjes for you at Holidazzle with the help of their friends Patty, Brian and Peter.

Steve VanZyl has 30 years of experience as a chef in restaurants; his most recent position was at the Lexington Restaurant in St. Paul before becoming a stay-at-home dad when his daughter was born seven years ago. Karin VanZyl, who grew up with her mother’s excellent French cooking ability, also has had food and entertainment as a centerpiece of her life.

So for the two of them to be cooking poffertjes, as well as chili, at Holidazzle is a great way to spend time together during the holidays.

Everything this group creates is made from scratch, including a special house-made, secret recipe for the sauces. Their caramel topping is their best seller, and it’s to die for.

At Holidazzle, you can try the works.

“[Holiday markets] have a magic that is hard to describe to people who have never been to them,” Karin said. “The food and drinks are amazing, and there are high quality merchandise vendors year after year. I want this market to be as magical as they are in Europe. The joy they bring is phenomenal. This could happen I think, if good food and a variety of interesting vendors keep coming every year. Also entertainment and activities really add to the excitement and merry making.”

You can stop by Holidazzle on Thursdays through Sundays from November 29 through December 22 at Loring Park. The event is open 5-9 pm on Thursdays and Fridays and 11 am-9 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.

For the VanZyl’s, perhaps the best part is seeing the excitement on people’s faces when they try their poffertjes and enjoy this tasty Dutch treat. The mini-pancakes can be topped with chocolate, powdered sugar, whipped cream and other toppings. It makes for a delectable sweet treat as you walk through Holidazzle.

“For us, it is about using authentic recipes and working and reworking versions of the product until it is just right,”? Karin said. “We are not able to serve something that we ourselves do not love. The chicken chili is outstanding, and the sauces we make which are served with the poffertjes are amazing.”

Karin said they’ve gotten hooked on market vending and are excited to see you this winter.

“We have been experimenting with a variety of foods throughout the year,”? Karin said. “Poffertjes is one of our favorites, and perfect for the winter season. Steve is an excellent chef, and together we cater small scale events and parties in addition to vending. One of my favorite things is interacting with customers. They have been jolly and cheerful, which makes this experience all the more enjoyable.”

Did you know socks are the most frequently requested donation item by homeless shelters and outreach programs, but often times the least donated?

With Hippy Feet, you can help change that. With every pair of Hippy Feet socks purchased, another is donated to a local homeless shelter.

“We are more than just an organization that sells cool socks,” founder Michael Mader said. “We hope people recognize our passion to give back to those in need.”

Their goal is to not only provide socks for the less fortunate, but to also create opportunities for the homeless community and have a lasting impact on the lives of those in need. Combined with their ‘buy one, give one’ mentality, they are also working to fund an employment program through Hippy Feet. This program will help employ members of the in-transition homeless community in our area. These individuals will help package socks, work table events and perform other tasks for Hippy Feet to help prepare them with the experience necessary for when they enter the work force.

“We want people to join us on our mission to give back, one foot at a time,” he said.

In addition to socks, Hippy Feet will also be selling natural cotton t-shirts featuring their Hippy Feet logo. All proceeds from the t-shirts will go to funding their employment program.

Holidazzle’s full calendar run is Thursdays through Sundays from Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 22. It is open Thursdays from 5-9 pm, Fridays from 5-10 pm, Saturdays from 11 am-10 pm and Sundays from 11 am-7 pm.

Hippy Feet officially launched in September 2016 and was a big hit with Holidazzle shoppers last winter. Although Michael has been wearing ‘funky’ socks for as long as he remembers, the idea for Hippy Feet wasn’t formed until Michael experienced a traumatic brain injury after falling off of his longboard. At the time he was attending the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and the accident left him unable to work or attend class for the remainder of the semester.

“This ultimately left me in a strange place in my own life, filled with uncertainty and self-doubt,” Michael said.

While in recovery, Michael stumbled upon the above fact, put out by The Salvation Army, that homeless shelters need sock donations more than anything.

“I found this quote while in recovery from my head injury. It motivated me to overcome the adversity I faced as the result of my recent fall,” Michael said.

It was at this moment that Michael realized his opportunity to combine two of his passions: His love for fashionable and ‘funky’ socks, and his underlying desire to give back to those less fortunate.

With the support from his professors and mentors, he was able to enter Hippy Feet into a number of business model competitions and ended up winning the Wisconsin Big Idea Tournament.

With a little compassion and perspective, like Michael, you too can help shift how the homeless community in our area experiences daily life. And what better way to do that then during the holidays.

Come to Holidazzle and help give back in whichever way you can.

Kramarczuk’s has a long history in Minneapolis. A staple of Northeast, the family-owned sausage company got its start in the late 1940s and has become an iconic stop for those who live, work or visit here in the downtown area.

So iconic in fact, that general manager Nick Kramarczuk said a lot of people visit the city just to stop by and see this well-known establishment.

With history and tradition mixed in with being a must-see destination, it only seems natural that Kramarczuk’s would team with Holidazzle to provide holiday season enjoyment for those coming to spend some time here in Minneapolis. Kramarczuk’s will once again be on-hand at Holidazzle selling their famous sausages in the heart of Loring Park.

Holidazzle is the only place you can get Kramarczuk’s special Holidazzle sausage, which features wild rice and cranberries. They’ll also sell other brats and hot dogs on site. Stop by Thursdays through Sundays from Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 22. Holidazzle is open 5-9 pm on Thursdays, 5-10 pm on Fridays, 11 am-10 pm on Saturdays and 11 am-7 pm on Sundays.

“The Holidazzle tradition goes way back,” Kramarczuk said. “A lot of people have grown up coming to downtown Minneapolis to celebrate the holiday season. We are excited to be part of a new take on an old tradition.”

As Minnesotans with European heritage, the Kramarczuk family can certainly appreciate the type of entertainment and activity that will be part of this year’s Holidazzle at Loring Park. Kramarczuk said he and his family embrace the idea of an outdoor holiday market destination, equipped with the sights, sounds and tastes of the season.

This year’s Holidazzle will have that feeling, but with a twist. It is a destination that will focus on locally-owned organizations coming together to help the community celebrate the holiday season. There will be prepared and packaged food, beverages and merchandise on site, but they will have a distinctly Minnesota and Midwestern feel. Holidazzle is as Minnesotan as a long winter, and the people who are part of this year’s festivities will be very well acquainted with what it means to be a Minnesotan.

Kramarczuk said he and his family put a huge importance on Minneapolis-based traditions given their long history as a staple of Northeast.

“We are all about traditions here at Kramarczuk’s, whether it involves our cultural heritage, Minnesotan heritage or Minneapolis heritage,” Kramarczuk said.

It’s an important time for Kramarczuk’s. Like other retailers, the holiday season is an important time for them and for their business. What separates them, Kramarczuk said, is the importance they put on their relationships with the people who come through their doors.

The same can be said for their connection to Holidazzle.

“We have customers who have been shopping here for six generations,” Kramarczuk said. “They have become part of our family. When we see them during the holiday rush, we get a chance to catch up, and it’s like a mini-reunion.”

That’s the type of family-run business and philosophy you can expect when you try your Kramarczuk’s sausage this holiday season.

“Expect a delicious traditional sausage made right across the river by local craftsmen using old-world techniques,” Kramarczuk said. “And it will be served with a smile.”

Fulton Brewery appreciates a good time, and they certainly appreciate bringing Minnesotans together. They’ve been doing it since they began home-brewing in a South Minneapolis garage in 2006.

Since then, they opened up two Minneapolis breweries in 2010, and have become a staple brewery in the city. Fulton understands the importance of community.

Which makes them a perfect fit for Holidazzle.

“Both Fulton and Holidazzle are all about the people,” Fulton’s Director of Marketing Tucker Gerrick said. “We pride ourselves on our beer and brand’s approachability. When we think of Holidazzle, it is very approachable and inclusive. As if Minneapolis was throwing itself a party and everyone is invited. We’ll bring the beer.”

This year, Fulton is back as the official beer of Holidazzle and will have on hand their brews you’ve come to love. That includes two new beers that will be only available at Holidazzle (we’ll announce more details soon!) along with some of their year-round favorites.

It truly is Minneapolis’ holiday taproom experience. Not only does Fulton bring its great-tasting beer to Holidazzle, but they’ll also be providing great programming throughout Holidazzle including a popular staple: Drag Queen Bingo on Fridays.

The Fulton story is a Minnesotan one; from its humble beginnings in a South Minneapolis garage to opening 2 breweries on either sides of the Mississippi just a few years apart. They are a quintessential partner for this local winter tradition.

You can visit Fulton at Holidazzle on Thursdays through Sundays from Friday, November 29 through Saturday, December 22. Holidazzle is open 5-9 pm on Thursdays, 5-10 pm on Fridays, 11 am-10 pm on Saturdays and 11 am-7 pm on Sundays.

“Holidazzle always felt to us like a true Minnesotan tradition, one that draws beyond the city to include a state-wide audience,” Gerrick said. “To be part of that decades-long story is a really special opportunity.”

Gerrick said the Fulton crew is most looking forward to seeing all the different kinds of people coming together in one place while they make Holidazzle part of their family’s holiday tradition.

In the process, those who stop by will have a chance to browse a collection of Minneapolis-centric products like Fulton.

There’s no question, Gerrick said, that Fulton is once again ready to be part of the festivities.

“Holidazzle is about embracing the spirit of the holidays but also the spirit of being in a place like Minneapolis in the winter,” Gerrick said. “Getting together on a cold, crisp, clear night and enjoying the company of others is exactly what this city is all about.”

Holidazzle is a staple of the holiday season in this town, and Gerrick said it’s a special time to be part of the downtown atmosphere.

K-Town Street Food takes a different approach to its cuisine that makes them stand out among the pack. Their idea is mixing different types of popular ethnic foods that provide a completely different and enticing taste.

Trust us, they’ve perfected it. You won’t want to miss trying them at Holidazzle.

The group is serving their Korean tacos bowl and kimchi fries–two staples that were wildly popular among Holidazzle goers in years past–and they’ll be adding a new item to their menu in 2016. Stop by and try out their Bulgogi Beef Empanada Puff Pastry with stuffed Bulgogi Beef, potato, tomatoes, Mexican cheese and onions. When you visit, your serving will come in a biodegradable container.

Their treats bring different flavors–sweet or savory–and spices together for a delectable treat as you browse the Holidazzle scene. They are there each day of Holidazzle: Thursdays through Sundays from Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 22. Holidazzle is open Thursdays from 5-9 pm, Fridays from 5-10 pm, Saturdays from 11 am-10 pm and Sundays from 11 am-7 pm.

“People really adapted to it,” said Lysa Bui of K-Town Street Food. “We made Korean food with infused Mexican-American. It’s not like the food you’ll see in a typical restaurant.”

It’s a unique twist on both cultures that makes for a new and enticing flavor.

K-Town Street Food produces its foods with sauces made from scratch, all of which add to the flavor. The kimchi fries can come more mild or hot, and the sauces that are included really infuse with the steak or chicken and fries that are in the bowl. They all mix together to provide great taste with the level of heat you desire, and the sauce will stand out as a delicious taste you’ve never had before. All of their main dishes are gluten free, and they also have vegetarian options.

“It’s totally different,” Bui said. “If you have our fries, you know they’re not just regular mayo. It makes it unique and stand out.”

The idea has been an evolution of sorts. The group started with a Vietnamese restaurant in St. Paul more than 20 years ago that was strictly Vietnamese food. Bui, a Dallas native, moved back to Texas two years ago for a few months but decided Minnesota was missing the Asian-used food scene. With her family’s background being in the food industry for generations, she and her brother-in-law decided to try this new food approach in the Twin Cities.

The concept of Korean fusion was a brainstorming session between Bui and her family throwing out ideas about what might set them apart. It took them months to perfect the sauces and the recipes, but the end result was K-Town’s robust and unique menu.

They’ve mostly worked in St. Paul, but Holidazzle is providing them a chance to give Minneapolis a taste of their handiwork.

Bui said people might be skeptical initially given they aren’t familiar with the style of food, but they’re excited to see people catch on and become fans of their work.

“They’re going to think, ‘OK, might be a little skeptical because it’s Asian food mixed with Mexican or American food,'” Bui said. “So it gives them a chance to try something we have. I think they’ll really like the dish, and I want them to try something we have.”

They’re excited to be able to show off their food in Minneapolis during Holidazzle, a celebration that is a decades-old tradition here in downtown.

“It’s a huge event, and it’s a big honor to be here,” Bui said. “The tradition has been there for families to come, and I myself feel the meaning it brings. You can get a bunch of people there, enjoy themselves and have a good time with all the cities have to offer.”

There’s no doubt K-Town Street Food brings a new style and flavor to Holidazzle. Their kimchi fries are filled with flavor and spice, and their egg rolls with sweet dipping sauce make for a great treat as you walk though and enjoy the event.

It’s worthwhile to stop by and give them a try.

“Downtown Minneapolis is one of the better downtowns in the United States,” Bui said. “It’s diverse, the community is there and there is all types of people. People, kids come back from college and Minnesota is home to them. And people can come out and see what Holidazzle has to offer, it’s like the countdown in New York. It’s a great opportunity.”

Sociable Cider Werks’ Jim Watkins is proud of our Minnesota culture. It’s why Sociable joined Holidazzle in 2015, serving its warm Fat Bike Mulled Apple cider on site, and it’s why they are returning again this winter.

“We love being part of a great Minneapolis tradition,” Watkins said. “Where else do people gather in mass to celebrate when it’s freezing out?”

No question, there is something delightfully Minnesotan about Sociable Cider Werks. The company, founded by longtime friends Jim Watkins and Wade Thompson, came to be four years ago over Thanksgiving Weekend. It was a move that made their hobby, which they had perfected, a very real business venture paving a new path for their futures.

“What started as a garage hobby,” Watkins said, “spiraled wildly out of control when we left our gigs in corporate America behind to open Sociable.”

It was a business venture well worth the risk.

Sociable Cider Werks has become a staple Northeast Minneapolis over the past four years, growing and contributing to the reemergence of light industry in their neighborhood. They carefully craft their ciders for their patrons and ensure each cup or glass, hot or cold, provides the perfect thirst-quenching taste they desire.

This winter, you can again enjoy Sociable Cider Werks on site throughout Holidazzle. Stop by Thursdays through Sundays from Friday, November 29 through Sunday, December 22. Holidazzle is open 5-9 pm on Thursdays, 5-10 pm on Fridays, 11 am-10 pm on Saturdays and 11 am-7 pm on Sundays.

At this year’s Holidazzle, you’ll be able to enjoy a Fat Bike Mulled Apple that was a huge success a year ago. It is so decadent when served warm, and the Sociable crew is looking forward to its Holidazzle return. It is made from freshly pressed apples?never concentrated? and all fresh ingredients. It’s not as sticky sweet as most ciders, and Watkins said he’s hopeful this concoction will showcase to people what can be done with apples.

Watkins said Sociable was founded on the premise of creating a gathering space for people to enjoy that is very Minnesotan. Their goal at Holidazzle is to help accentuate that philosophy by being part of a longstanding Minnesota holiday tradition.

“Sociable Cider and Holidazzle are both delightfully Minnesotan,” Watkins said. “Thousands of people outside enjoying the outdoors in the heart of winter is about as Minnesotan as the fall apple picking that is the backbone of our business.”

There’s also a tie to the ‘fat bike’ tradition of maneuvering around the Twin Cities in the dead of winter using thick tires. The fat bike extends the riding season deep into the heart of winter, and Watkins said the Fat Bike Mulled Apple Cider makes the Minnesotan outdoors a four-season affair. The end result is a warm-you-to-the-core treat that helps make the outdoors during the winter not only manageable but fun and inviting.

After all, Watkins said, we Minnesotans understand what it takes to enjoy our state during the holidays and winter months. There’s a certain art to being from this state, and we’ve perfected it.

“Minnesotan means embracing the creed that there is no such thing as being too cold,” Watkins said. “There is just having the wrong gear.”

Chinh T Mai and his wife Katie, co-owners of KCM Woodworks, put their hearts and souls into making their handcrafted items.

?We make each piece to be as unique as possible,? Chinh said.

About two years ago, Chinh started to make his daughter a moon shaped cradle and quickly developed a passion for working with wood. Not long after, Katie had an idea and began making unique custom signs. With the power of social media, Katie sold her first sign instantly on Facebook. Several months later, they started making all sorts of beautiful products and decided to go forward with a business venture.

Each day during Holidazzle, you will find rustic home d?cor, wooden signs, half-moon shaped baby cradles, cedar lighthouses, walnut tea light candle holders, coffee mug/wine glass holders and bamboo 3D pop up cards at KCM Woodworks.

Holidazzle?s full calendar run is Thursdays through Sundays from Friday, November 23 through Sunday, December 23. It is open Thursdays from 5-9 pm, Fridays from 5-10 pm, Saturdays from 11 am-10 pm and Sundays from 11 am-7 pm.

It is KCM Woodworks? first year being a part of Holidazzle. They are extremely excited to meet new people and engage in conversation with customers.

Holidazzle, to Chinh, is a beautifully-decorated place that easily puts anyone into the holiday spirit. They are also excited about the potential opportunity to grow their business.

?This is a whole new learning opportunity for us,? Chinh said. ?The entire thought of it makes us extremely nervous yet very excited at the same time.?

From the quality of their work, Chinh said most people assume they have been in business for years. When in reality, they just started out earlier this year.

?I believe it is the passion we put into our work that makes it what it is,? he said. ?The thought of our products being hung or decorating people?s homes warm our hearts.?

There is a distinct ambiance at Holidazzle. With the cheery guests and the festive holiday setting in Loring Park, the Holidazzle experience is undeniably Minnesotan. When it comes to bringing Minnesotan pride, North Shore Apparel MN/Martin’s delivers in spades.

Martin’s Boutique has been around since 1972, and North Shore Apparel came into the picture within the past two years. Martin’s is located two blocks from Lake Minnetonka in downtown Excelsior. Like many other vendors you’ll find at Holidazzle, Martin’s has always been a family venture. Michael Wilson and Erin Martin-Wilson are the husband-and-wife team behind Martin’s, after Erin’s father Larry founded the store 45 years ago.

“After we got engaged on the North Shore, we decided to name our second company North Shore Apparel Minnesota and expanded our Minnesota and local lake apparel,” Wilson says.

“We felt there was a need for quality local lake gear,” owner Michael Wilson says. “It’s just taken off from there.”

North Shore Apparel MN/Martin’s will, among other products, have clothing for adults, children and babies. From their hats and scarves to their t-shirts and sweatshirts, North Shore Apparel MN/Martin’s makes sure Minnesota is front and center. While their second venture’s name has obvious local ties, the story behind it is quite unique.

“The name ‘North Shore Apparel Minnesota’ was chosen not only because we got engaged on Palisades Head on the North Shore,” Wilson explains. “But because I grew up in Wayzata, which is the Lakota/Sioux phrase meaning ‘North Shore.’ When she was born, my wife’s address in Forest Lake was ‘North Shore Trail’, and we thought that it must be meant to be.”

North Shore Apparel will be at Holidazzle on Thursdays through Sundays from November 29 through December 22. It is open Thursdays from 5-9 pm, Fridays from 5-10 pm, Saturdays from 11 am-10 pm and Sundays from 11 am-7 pm.

Like true Minnesotans, Michael and Erin are excited for the upcoming winter and all it has to offer.

“The holiday season in Minnesota is beautiful,” Wilson says. “There’s lots of lights and everyone has the holiday spirit.”

Martin’s has been around for nearly half a century, and now that they’ve added North Shore Apparel, it’s full steam ahead.

“We’re a family business that has been around for a long time, and we take pride in what we do,” Wilson says. “We provide great customer service while selling quality and unique products. Our business is very important to us, and we hope to be around for another 45 years!”

After starting out selling their famous Potstickers known as MoMo 12 years ago at the Mill City Farmers Market, friends Sarala Kattel and Rashmi Bhattachan talked about opening a restaurant together.

In 2010, they decided that the timing was right.

Combining that timing with a great location, the two opened Gorkha Palace–a family-owned restaurant in Northeast Minneapolis that offers authentic Nepali, Indian and Tibetan cuisine.

Now in 2019, you’ll have a chance to enjoy Gorkha Palace at Holidazzle. Theylll be in Loring Park on Thursdays through Sundays from November 29 through December 22.

They can’t wait to see you there.

“We have heard nothing but great things about the Holidazzle. Even the cold winter months do not keep the Minnesotans from celebrating the outdoors and the city has done a great job of providing the platform to celebrate the holidays,” Bhattachan said. “We are particularly excited that for the first time there will be some great Indian Nepali foods offered to the Holidazzle visitors who can keep themselves warm with what we have to offer.”

When you visit Gorkha Palace at Holidazzle, you can choose between their Turkey Momo (steamed potstickers with Ferndale Farms turkey, onions, ginger, garlic and spices), Vegetarian Momo (steamed potstickers with spinach, cabbage, onions, ginger, garlic and spices) or a mixed vegetable curry with coconut milk.

Both Kattel and Bhattachan are both from Nepal, and when they opened Gorkha Palace in 2010 they realized that while there were a lot of Indian restaurants in the Twin Cities, none focused on conscientiously-prepared Indian Nepali cuisine supporting local organic, sustainable agriculture with local meat producers.

Already having 20 employees and establishing themselves in the heart of Northeast Minneapolis, Gorkha Palace hopes to gain even more exposure for their restaurant by being a vendor at Holidazzle.

They look forward to offering their organic Indian Nepali Tibetan cuisine to you as you celebrate the holiday season.

“The holiday season in Minnesota is spectacular,” Bhattachan said. “It will be fun celebrating the outdoors with fun activities such as shopping, dining, skating and more.”

Cabin Customs owner Steve Olson has only been in business for one year, but he has quickly established himself as a unique and successful artist in Minnesota.

After having the idea one day to make custom lake signs, he began driving around Lake Superior and stopping at each State Park to get motivation for new pieces.

From there, his creativity took off.

“From Bemidji Babe, to the Pequat Bobber and the Garrison Walleye, I am continually inspired to make new, fun designs,” Olson said.

Cabin Customs is making its debut at Holidazzle this season in Loring Park. They’ll be on site Thursdays through Sundays from November 29 through December 22 selling their products that highlight what makes our region unique.

What you’ll find at Cabin Customs is artwork, ornaments and woodwork that highlights special places around Minnesota and the upper Midwest.

He’s come a long way from his initial sign with a simple Lake Superior design.

“I love seeing the reaction people have seeing my artwork, especially kids, and the exchange of stories with people I meet,” Olson said. “I hope they really take away something special from the experience and that my artwork continues to inspire that connection with a special memory or feeling they felt the first time they saw it.”

Olson is excited to be participating in Holidazzle for the second time after growing to love Holidazzle as a kid.

“I am even more excited with the changes the last couple years,” he said. “It is now much more of an all-around experience.”

Cabin Customs will be at every day of Holidazzle, and Olson is looking forward to seeing the reaction that people have when they see his artwork for the first time. He uses all sorts of techniques to bring his pieces to life, so no two pieces ever turn out the same.

Take time to stop by Cabin Customs this holiday season and browse his work up close.

Perhaps something he’s created will resonate with you.

“I try to capture what’s special about a place or thing and put my own twist on it,” Olson said. “I love using all sorts of techniques to make sure each piece is unique and that no two ever turn out the same.”