Table Hoppin': Small is delectable at Bri's Sweet Treats

The brainchild of owner and founder Briana Azier of Leicester, Bri’s Sweet Treats at the Worcester Public Market packs a wide variety of artisan chocolate and desserts into a small space and boasts a long list of clients and citywide pop-up events.Azier is passionate and enthusiastic about a business that started out in her licensed home kitchen in 2021, moving the business to a retail booth in the public market in January. She also has a wholesale license.Azier, originally from Maynard, was always happy to bake for family and friends, handing out chocolate gift boxes and holiday treats. During the pandemic, she kept busy by making desserts with her 6-year-old son Cole. Their tie-dyed cupcakes were a mother-son specialty, every bit as delicious as they were simple and fun to make, said Azier. Cole, now 8, and his mom continue to bake together at home.“The idea for my startup business is the result of a women’s study group organized by my twin sister, Echo (Louissaint),” said Azier. “It really empowered me.”Azier attended Clark University and left a full-time job as corporate recruiter (15 years) to become an entrepreneur. She first sold her homemade treats at pop-ups and farmers markets. The public market is the perfect fit for her permanent location, she said, and attracts a steady stream of customers, especially on weekends. She admits it was a huge decision, taking the leap to move her business into a retail spot. Azier looks to build a legacy for her family and give back to community.She uses a colorful purple interior to draw people to her retail booth and wears a purple company T-shirt when she greets and chats with customers. She said she loves the color purple, “a sign of royalty.” People also consider purple to be an inspirational color that sparks creativity. Note: At local WooTruck food truck festivals and events Azier sets up shop under a purple tent.A homemade, giant peanut butter cup makes up about 60% of Azier’s sales, with white chocolate Oreo ganache cheesecake running a close second.

You can buy individual slices of the cheesecake, or special-order a whole one. Bri’s Sweet Treats offers an assortment of artisan chocolate and confections that include chocolate-dipped berries, dipped apples and pretzels and cheesecake dunkers.

In support of local businesses Azier stocks fudge from Brookfield Orchards in North Brookfield, in addition to a few items produced by local crafters. She said Ten West Market in Paxton and Douglas Orchard & Farm in Douglas have sold her products.Bri’s Sweet Treats is open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Just remember the Worcester Public Market is closed Monday and Tuesday. Visit www.shopbrissweettreats.com for information about corporate gifting, events, special orders and the “Official Sweet List” to receive monthly discounts. Telephone: (774) 253-0472; connect on social media.Azier’s business is known for its full-color logo images on products. She works with companies of all sizes and brings chocolate and treats to corporate events. The family-friendly business has three employees and Azier’s husband, Cole, left his full-time job this month to work beside his wife. “I’m the CEO and Cole is company president,” said Azier, who joked about how the CEO gets the final word.The “CEO” already has big plans for specialty items for Easter (April 9) and Mother’s Day (May 14). Treats like “green-dipped Oreos topped with a shamrock design and individual slices of “green colored cheesecake” will be available for St. Patrick’s Day, March 17.Fans will be happy to learn that Azier will continue with pop-ups and WooTruck events throughout the 2023 season. “I love meeting customers,” said Azier. “Everyone has been so supportive. It’s amazing.”Ribbon cutting ceremonies for Bri’s Sweet Treats took place in February, with March festivities in full swing. Azier and her husband celebrated their ninth wedding anniversary at the beginning of the month. It’s Azier’s birthday this week.Sweet treats all around!Worcester Sweets now openThe new business Worcester Sweets Café, 649 Chandler St., Worcester, recently posted an opening for March 10.Diana Gallego is founder and Norman Gallego co-founder and certified barista of the business. The shop serves up a selection of cakes, pastries and other desserts, in addition to specialty coffee. Visit https://worcestersweets.com for more info.Stay tuned!CASA Project receives $10,000 from benefitThe nonprofit CASA Project Worcester County was recently presented with a $10,000 check from Tito’s Vodka after a successful fundraising event, Cocktails for CASA.During the fundraiser, more than 25 local restaurants and businesses participated in preparing handcrafted drinks using Tito’s vodka brand. Tito’s donated $1 from each brand’s signature cocktail purchased at the locations, up to $10,000.Nick Niman, Massachusetts sales representative for Tito’s, presented the check to CASA Project Executive Director Julie Bowditch at a Cocktails for CASA wrap-up event held at Altea’s Eatery in Worcester, attended by CASA Project volunteers and invited guests. Bowditch said the response from the public and restaurants was overwhelming. “Everyone was so supportive,” she said, adding that CASA volunteers and friends worked to help put the fundraiser over the top.To learn more about the nonprofit and volunteer opportunities, visit www.casaproject.org.If you have a tidbit for the column, call (508) 868-5282. Send email to bhoulefood@gmail.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Bri's Sweet Treats confectionery opens in Worcester Public Market