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Photograph by Chad Pilster
La Villa Deli will be bringing its goodies out of the cooler and into the street to fuel Avenue dancers.
Restaurants from around the Glen prepare so dancers can enjoy eating on the Avenue
Local eateries will be bringing their finest out to the street for Willow Glen's annual summer kick-off party
By Jessica Lyons
Glenites who enjoy the finer things in life--including food, drink and musical merriment--are putting on their dancing shoes as they prepare to eat, drink and dance their way through the fifth annual Willow Glen street dance on June 19.
Sponsored by the Willow Glen Business and Professional Association, Dancing on the Avenue is expected to draw a crowd of 25,000 to downtown Lincoln Avenue. Local restaurateurs say they'll be ready for the hungry masses.
Dave Bertucelli, owner of La Villa Deli, is planning to set up a booth for selling ravioli plates and desserts. La Villa participates in the event every year, Bertucelli says.
"It's a lot of fun," he says. "We're really busy, but it's also fun because of the music and people are in good moods when they come to the booth. It's work, but it's also a party."
More Lincoln Avenue restaurants should set up booths, Bertucelli adds.
"The ones that aren't participating are really missing out," he says. "They're out to lunch."
Some Willow Glen restaurants that aren't missing out on the action include Taiwan restaurant, Round Table Pizza and China Palace. All three plan to set up food booths for the street dance.
Photograph by Chad Pilster
China Palace will be among dozens of local restaurants participating in Dancing on the Avenue.
China Palace's booth will feature all kinds of favorites including fried rice, chow mein, sweet and sour pork, kung pao chicken and broccoli beef, owner Bill Yu says.
"New customers who want to know about my restaurant can come over and try the food," Yu says.
Round Table Pizza donates cheese and pepperoni pizza to the booth, and sales will benefit charity. Members of the Optimist Club man the annual pizza booth.
"We like to participate," says Round Table owner Ron DePape. "We're one of the businesses on the street and it's for a good cause."
Even businesses which don't plan to host a booth expect to see a boost in business the day of the street dance.
"It's a very popular event," Aqui owner Dave O'Mara says. "It allows Willow Glen to put its best foot forward, and the Willow Glen business association does a wonderful job coordinating it. It brings new customers to downtown restaurants, and it brings more people to the Willow Glen community and shows off what a lovely residential area Willow Glen has to offer."
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
