By Kristen CoppoCKstaff writer

A popular Medford pizzeria has expanded into neighboring Evesham.

Organico Pizza opened its second restaurant and first franchise location on North Maple Avenue last Friday. According to co-owner John Fioravanti, he and business partner Michael Hendri are planning a grand opening.

The Organico brand, owned by veteran pizza maker Vincenzo Barone, operates its original restaurant on Stokes Road in Medford.

An updated menu debuted this month and is identical at both locations, he said. Changes include new salad options and more locally sourced ingredients on the menu, such as the Braised BBQ’d Pork Sandwich topped with Tus-can cole slaw.

Barone, who also owns Bricco Coal Fired Pizza in Westmont and Barone’s Tuscan Grill in Moorestown, said Organico uses only ingredi-ents that are organic or all-natural.

“People are being more and more conscious every day about what they’re putting into their bodies,” he said.

The average pizza flour has about 15 ingredients, including preservatives, according to Barone.

“Ours has one ingredient, just grain,” he said. “It bakes like a normal pizza.”

Combined with sauce, cheese and other toppings, Organico pizza has a lot of natural flavor, he said. Customers at the Medford location seem to agree, based on overwhelmingly positive reviews posted online.

“I think it’s going to be a hit in Marlton,” Barone said.

Give and take‘Tis the season for gift cards, and local restau-

rants are hoping to draw customers with lucra-tive bonus deals.

The idea is to provide a small gift for buyers to go along with their initial purchase. When you purchase a gift card, you get one for your-self, too. In return, restaurants get double the number of customers coming back.

Black Friday kicked off the holiday buying season and brought with it some time-sensitive deals.

The Pop Shop restaurants in Medford and

Collingswood are offering a $10 gift card with a $40 purchase and a $20 bonus

with an $80 purchase.At Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza in

Mount Laurel, customers who spend $100 to $499 in gift cards through Dec. 31 will receive a bonus credit worth 10 percent of their purchase.

Those who make a gift card purchase of $500 or more will receive a 20 per-

cent credit. (The Florida-based chain also is contributing 10 percent of its gift

card sales to its philanthropic arm, the Dan Marino Foundation.)

While the amounts vary by business, a $10 bonus with the purchase of a $50 gift card is common. Local chain restaurants offering that deal include P.J. Whelihans locations, including those in Maple Shade and Medford Lakes, and Outback Steakhouse, which has a restaurant in Evesham. In addition, Outback is offering a Black Friday deal that gives gift card buyers two bonuses instead of one $10 credit.

Other restaurants are offering a $5 gift card with the purchase of a $25 card. They include all Pei Wei locations, including Moorestown.Kristen Coppock: 609-871-8073; email: kcoppock@calkins.com; twitter: @kcoppockbct

50 years ago today: Fashions for spring

1967 will include tunics, jumpsuits, caftans, short

and long formal wear, dinner sheaths or tubes, classic drapes and tents.

Also, lace and embroidery.

communityA7 ♦ burlington county times ♦ tuesdAy, november 29, 2016

By Kristen CoppoCKstaff writer

Mount Holly is turning its downtown business district into a classic Winter Wonderland.

On Friday, the city hosts its annual Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony,

along with a wealth of traditional, family-oriented activities. Open to the public, the community event, running 5-9 p.m., is free.

This year’s celebration features a Christmas train, carolers, the Human Snow Globe, horse-drawn carriage rides and visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus. Organized by the township’s Recreation Department, the event is largely sponsored by Verizon and PSE&G with contributions from other businesses.

“We have more items to make memories,” said Deputy Mayor Rich DiFolco, the event’s spokesman. “The whole downtown converts into a historic, classic Christmas downtown.”

The goal of this year’s event, DiFolco said, is to provide a more traditional holiday experience, rather than a modern one, and to highlight the businesses that Mount Holly has to offer. Downtown visitors are encouraged to eat in local restaurants and shop the district’s small businesses. The festivities are spread out, in an effort to increase foot traffic to as many locations as possible.

“There’s a lot of different areas,” he said.Participating areas include Mill Race Village, which extends from High

Street at Washington and Mill streets. Populated by artisans, crafters and other small businesses, the village will host a German-inspired Christmas market. “We’re starting small this year. Next year, it will

be larger,” DiFolco said.While they may spend

money, visitors can participate in all activities hosted by the township at no cost.

New to the holiday celebration is the Human Snow Globe, which allows individuals, groups and families the opportunity to step inside a large snow globe and have the image captured by a professional photographer. “Every family that goes in there will be given a free picture on the spot,” said DiFolco. “It’s a memento photo.”

Memorable photographs also can be taken in the Christmas train, which will be lit up for the holidays, and during the horse and carriage rides that will take visitors on a short tour. Meanwhile, Santa and Mrs. Claus will meet visitors in Mill Race Village.

Arts and crafts, refreshments and live entertainment also are part of the experience. Local school choirs, the Rancocas Valley Regional High School marching band and the Village Carolers are among the performers.

According to DiFolco, the township invested money into decorations for the event, and has added artificial snow to the program for enhanced ambience.

Santa and Mrs. Claus will arrive by horse and carriage to light the Christmas tree and get the holiday. They will be led by the Mount Holly Fire Department and the Elves of Mount Holly.

This year, the only road closures will be High Street, from Garden to Washington streets; and Mill Street, from Pine Street to Park Drive.

Public parking is available in municipal lots in close proximity to the downtown storefronts. DiFolco said local police, firefighters and crossing guards will be on hand to assist drivers.

DiFolco said Mount Holly’s downtown is considered the heart of the Rancocas Valley region, which includes the surrounding towns of Lumberton, Hainesport, Eastampton and Westampton. The holiday event is expected to draw a large crowd. “We have people come from all over for this,” he said.Kristen Coppock: 609-871-8073; email: kcoppock@calkins.com; twitter: @kcoppockbct

A Mount Holly jolly Christmas

Town’s festivities have a classic holiday theme.

Organico pizzeria opens in Evesham

fashionenCyClopedia.Com

metro