Show support by shopping small this Friday and beyond

For Christmas Village and the Made in Philadelphia Market, the aim has always been to shine a light on a wide assortment of vendors from around the globe and the city. This goal has continued on, and both holiday marts have options to support “Buy Black Fridays” in support of Black vendors, and this is the last week to do just that.

Tomorrow and until the markets close later this month, Philadelphians can check out one truck specifically that has made an impact in its first year of involvement with the city’s holiday attraction. Out of Cape May, the Bake’n Bacon truck comes from owner Justin Coleman, and he’s made it his mission to bring the world of bacon to the city.

It sounds delicious, and it is.

According to a release, Bake’n Bacon, founded in 2019, offers a unique twist on some meaty favorites such as the baked macaroni and cheese that features smoked chipotle tomato sauce and bacon crumbles and other menu offerings spanning sandwiches, fries, sides, sweets, and bacon-y treats that are as unique as they are packed with flavor.

Using thick slices of applewood smoked bacon, Coleman aims “to bring the best in food quality and customer service everywhere his bacon mobile takes him.” The release also states that the Cape May native was raised in a cooking family that loved to spend time together in the kitchen, and he was influenced by three living great grandmothers, aunts, cousins, and other members of the family who took great pride in their homemade meals.

“’Events go better with bacon’ isn’t just something we say but is about the experience brought to our clients,” says Coleman. “Our brioche bread and buns are baked fresh daily from a local bakery in Philadelphia. Using different cuts from pork belly, pork shoulder and different flavors of smoked bacon, we take bacon beyond the mundanity of just being a breakfast food to a signature lunch, dinner or decadent dessert. Our goal is to showcase bacon, that is why at Bake’n Bacon, we make bacon the star of the show.”

So what’s actually being served? Think baked bacon mac, loaded brisket mac, an assortment of french fries, sauces, chocolate-covered bacon strawberries, chocolate bacon on a stick and pound cake with bacon, of course.

In addition to Bake’n Bacon expanding to Philadelphia from Cape May and debuting at Christmas Village in the North Apron section, Christmas Village and the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market have a record number of Black makers and small businesses this year. Philadelphians can peruse through the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market by visiting Elizabeth Peyton Creations’ selection at Dilworth, along with Cynful Bliss, Amira’s Delites and Really Real Ginger. Over at Christmas Village in the Love Park section, look for Magic Makers Marketing Collective and the Sable Collective.

For more information on Christmas Village and the Made in Philadelphia Holiday Market, visit philachristmas.com and madeinphila.com