West Milford Mayor Bettina Bieri cut the big red ribbon to open the Paradise Knoll TREP$ Marketplace March 4, and what a marketplace it was. Kids from grades five and six sold everything from dog pull toys to Magic 8 Balls to magnets to bookmarks. All types of jewelry were for sale, including the bottle cap variety. Food was plentiful, popcorn, slushies, chocolate-covered pretzels, smoothies, cupcakes in edible wrappers and even nut-free chocolates! There was something for everyone at the marketplace. TREP$ is a winner of the New Jersey PTA’s Champion for Children Award. It teaches kids the basics of business ownership through a series of workshops. Students are exposed to topics like product development, finance, marketing, advertising, and sales. They then sell their products at the marketplace, a truly memorable night when these children launch their very first business. Many products sold out. It was reported that Ariana’s stress balls, Jesse’s soda hats, Cameron’s Duct tape wallets, Matt’s rubber band guns, Caitlin’s caramel apples and Danielle’s slap bracelets were among them. Of course what marketplace would be complete without the delicious foods and treats? Cotton candy, snow cones, hot dogs, pizza, chocolate, popcorn, candy, cupcakes, and even doggie treats sold like crazy. And TREP$ is about more than just business. One young entrepreneur, Sayah from Sayah’s Smoothies, donated 50 percent of her profits to help fight breast cancer. Teachers, parents, bus drivers and other students along with community leaders cmae out to support the kids. Lakeland Bank, a sponsor for the program, was on hand to make change for the kids. For more information on TREP$, go to their Web site, www.trepsed.com. To see more photos from the event, go to www.westmilfordmessenger.com and click on photos.