MANCHESTER — In a whirlwind tour armed with scissors and red ribbon, city officials visited four new businesses downtown Thursday, including a wine shop, a chocolate shop, a fresh food market and a restaurant.

“They see the excitement that’s in the city. They realize that there are an awful lot of people walking around on Elm Street again, which is a good thing, and for retail businesses to come to Manchester, it’s an exciting thing,” Mayor Ted Gatsas said.

The mayor, accompanied by members of Intown Manchester, the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and the city’s Economic Development office, held ribbon cuttings at each of the four locations: 36 Delux restaurant, 36 Lowell St.; Mill Town Market, 1053 Elm St.; Vino Aromas, 997 Elm St.; and Dancing Lion Chocolate, 917 Elm St.

Recently opened shops not on the official visit list, including Appcessories, geared toward smart phones and tablet computers, at 941 Elm St., and Dos Amigos Burritos, 931 Elm St. also found their way into the noontime madhouse mix.

The downtown shop tour was a bit like speed-dating as visitors quickly moved from one spot to another, but there was time for well wishes, photos, and free samples.

Vino Aromas owner Dan Villafranca even popped the cork on a bottle of champagne. “The Mayor is watching,” Gatsas cautioned city workers about sampling that one.

At Mill Town Market, vendor Larry Benz of Hooksett was offering samples of his Benny’s Best Olive Spread. Owner Jane Beaulieu had put together a collection of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs, with a counter from the Mill Fudge Factory, a wrought iron candle holder and handmade brooms from Charlie Martel as well as other locally grown or made items.

“I’ve been eyeing this place for 15 years,” Beaulieu said. “Over the summer I would walk by and it was vacant, I talked to the landlord and the space is just perfect. It’s 650 square feet.” The business is a partnership with her nephew, Tim Beaulieu.

At Dancing Lion Chocolate, now in the same space as the former Lee’s Book Spot, owner Richard Tango-Lowy, who founded his business in 2007, said he was previously in the former Franco-American Centre building off Concord Street.

Croissants, baguettes and brioches will be added to the menu, he said. “All the chocolates are made in-house and we work with small plantations and small chocolate makers to source what we work with.”

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