(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

To Union Square, Fluff isn’t just a treat. It’s a symbol of innovation.

In 1917, Union Square resident Archibald Query created the candy-like confection in his home kitchen and traveled door-to-door selling pints to his neighbors.  The invention was scooped up by two investors, who soon needed to scale up to meet the demand for the perfect complement to peanut butter.

As a site of strategic importance during the American Revolution, Union Square’s independent spirit certainly didn’t start with Fluff.  Given the immense entrepreneurial spirit of our residents and local businesses, it won’t end there, either.  Union Square’s annual celebration of Fluff is a showcase of our independent, innovative, creative and some would say quirky spirit.

Union Square has much to offer and has made companies like ours better as a result of our becoming part of this community. The What the Fluff Fest is a terrific way to celebrate all that is Union Square.  It was wonderful to see neighbors unabashedly taking pride in their community and its history, and it is a joy to feel a part of a larger vibe that underlies the success of Union Square.

We have been challenged to meet and exceed the standards that residents have set for Union Square and we hope that we can take the energy, spirit and lightheartedness that was on display this weekend to foster the next generation of Union Square’s development.  By harnessing the creativity and innovative nature of the areas residents, restaurateurs, business owners, researchers and developers, we hope to strike the right balance of character and growth to enable Union Square to bolster its image as an unmatched destination for our region.

To the organizers of Fluff, thank you for all that you do for Somerville and thank you for welcoming us into your community and allowing us to be a part of the fun.

Bill Jacobson
Founder & CEO, WorkBar

Greg Karczewski
President, Union Square Associates (US2)