Feature Photos: Cranbrook 2nd Grader Wins Schakolad Costume Contest

Schakolad Birmingham Chocolate got all dressed up for Halloween this year, as did dozens of local trick-or-treaters during a neighborhood Halloween party on Wednesday.

Schakolad spearheaded the community-wide Halloween party, working together with neighboring businesses such as Mills Pharmacy, Level One Bank, Comerica Bank, Douglas Cleaners as well as the Chesterfield Fire Station to hand out candy to trick-or-treaters from Birmingham's west side.

“We love being located in a vibrant neighborhood and welcoming families into our shop,” said Douglas Cale, owner of Schakolad Birmingham Chocolate. “Our handmade chocolates are treats all year-round, but Halloween is a fun time to get creative with candy and treats and come together as a community.”

“Our first Halloween party and costume contest at Birmingham's neighborhood chocolateria was a resounding success — the ghosts were screaming and the winds were howling all night about the cupcakes for parents and chocolates for kids,” Cale added.

During the event, Birmingham Mayor Mark Nickita and City Commissioner Rackeline Hoff named Isabella Hernandez, 8 — a Birmingham resident and Brookside Lower School second grader at Cranbrook — the winner of Schakolad's first annual costume contest.

"I'm so, so happy!," said Hernandez, dressed as a colorful peacock. As a prize, Hernandez received a handmade chocolate haunted house.

Dozens of other trick-or-treaters and their parents enjoyed plenty of chocolate, coffee and cupcakes at the event. Costume contest runners up include Augustin and Ellory Villajuan; Gabe Hernandez; Mathew Kasle and his daughter Emery (who dressed up as daddy-daughter skeletons); Mary, Owen and Joseph Gibson, Jack and Peter Ortwein; Asher, Eliana and Shaya Schreiber; and Paige Nickita.