Atlantic Avenue Shops Share Recipes for Holiday Spirit

Shops that line the length of Atlantic Avenue have decked themselves out in holiday cheer - and this year it goes beyond the usual tinsel and lavish window displays.

Along with the annual window display contest held in early December, shop owners and employees have put together their creative efforts to share family recipes and favorite seasonal decoration techniques.

The effort is sponsored by the Atlantic Avenue Local Development Corporation and a collective of 30 stores have opted to participate in the recipe give away project, inviting patrons can stop by for some local tips.

A few favorites included the Sahadi family's stuffing recipe for turkey and other birds, available at , a recipe using melted ice cream, reportedly inspired by the recent power outages caused by a season of hurricanes and earthquakes, provided by Blue Marble as well as a recipe for holiday music downloads, provided by music shop Hardsoul.

Although reports show that holiday shopping sales are up from previous years, commerce is still lagging this far into the holiday retail season, especially for the small and family-owned businesses along the Atlantic Avenue community.

For a little unconventional local flavor, patrons can stop in any time to request a recipe. Shops providing the recipes are marked with a large whisk and a red ribbon in the window.