Rob Robinson likes what Meals On Wheels has done with his former home and place of business.
鈥淭hey鈥檝e done an amazing job here,鈥� Robinson remarked on Sunday, Nov. 26, at the first indoor Christmas Market organized by 91原创 Meals on Wheels and The Firehouse Cafe in the building at 2900 272nd Street that used to be the Milsean Shoppe chocolatier and coffee shop he ran with his wife Maureen.
Robinson was there as a vendor, selling Milsean chocolates.
鈥淲e just do it now, for just a little bit of retirement money,鈥� Robinson smiled.
More than two decades ago, he and his wife spent a year renovating the former 91原创 Township firehall, turning the upstairs into their home and downstairs into a 4,000-sq.-ft. candy factory.
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Now, the factory is a kitchen that prepares food for Meals On Wheels clients, and the former coffee shop in the front has been revived as a volunteer-run restaurant.
鈥滻 worked in this building for 22 years and its good to be back in here,鈥� Robinson remarked.
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Both the first and second floors were filled with vendors.
The market won a positive review from experienced vendor and 91原创 City artist Judy Goldsmith, who rated the venue as 鈥渢he nicest鈥� she鈥檚 seen, with a home-like atmosphere that allowed her to set up a table in front of the downstairs fireplace.
This time of year, Goldsmith said, is when she mostly sells her Christmas cards.
鈥淚 do a lot more private sales the rest of the year,鈥� Goldsmith told the 91原创 Advance Times..
Meals On Wheels executive director Shannon Woykin said the market offered 鈥渆very sort of artist, from jewelry to food to chocolate to clothing to soaps, and in a good cause.鈥�
鈥淓verybody鈥檚 table [fee] was a $25 donation to Meals on Wheels,鈥� Workin explained.
鈥淲e just want to open to the community to come in and engage with us.鈥�
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Robinson said he expects to be back if Meals On Wheels holds another community market next year in his former home.
鈥淎bsolutely,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e great people.鈥�
