A Taste of Italy for the Holidays: Discover Russo Market at Tanger Outlets

The holidays have always been about more than what is on the table. They are about tradition, family, memories and the foods that connect generations.


At Russo Market at Tanger Outlets, we are proud to bring a taste of Italy to West Michigan with specialty holiday items that have been part of Italian celebrations for decades—and, in some cases, centuries.



Whether you are building a holiday dessert table, searching for the perfect hostess gift, creating an Italian-inspired gift basket or simply bringing home a favorite you remember from childhood, our market is filled with products that carry a story.


Panettone: The Italian Christmas Classic


Few foods say Italian Christmas quite like panettone.


This tall, beautifully wrapped sweet bread is traditionally shared with family during the Christmas season and has become a symbol of togetherness, heritage and generosity. Giving panettone to friends, neighbors and colleagues is also considered a gesture of warmth and goodwill during the holidays.


Vergani panettone is a traditional, artisan-style Italian holiday cake baked in Milan by Pasticceria Vergani, which has been making the iconic Christmas bread for over 75 years.


One of the special brands available at Russo Market is Vergani Panettone, an artisan-style panettone baked in Milan by Pasticceria Vergani, a company that has been making this beloved Christmas bread for more than 75 years. Vergani still uses a natural sourdough starter created by founder Angelo Vergani, refreshed three times daily, and each panettone takes approximately 72 hours to produce.


Vergani panettone is a traditional, artisan-style Italian holiday cake baked in Milan by Pasticceria Vergani, which has been making the iconic Christmas bread for over 75 years.


That patience is part of what makes panettone so special.


Serve it alongside espresso after Christmas dinner, toast a slice for breakfast, pair it with mascarpone, or simply unwrap it at the table and share it with the people you love.


Russo Market also carries Bauducco Panettone, another familiar holiday favorite. The company was founded in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1952 by Italian immigrant Carlo Bauducco and grew from a single pastry shop into one of the world’s largest baked-goods manufacturers.


Vergani panettone is a traditional, artisan-style Italian holiday cake baked in Milan by Pasticceria Vergani, which has been making the iconic Christmas bread for over 75 years.


Lavazza: An Italian Coffee Tradition Since 1895


And what goes better with Italian pastries than a great cup of coffee?


Lavazza began in Turin, Italy, in 1895 when Luigi Lavazza opened a small grocery store on Via San Tommaso. He became known for blending coffee beans from different origins to achieve balanced, consistent flavor—a practice that helped distinguish the company.


Vergani panettone is a traditional, artisan-style Italian holiday cake baked in Milan by Pasticceria Vergani, which has been making the iconic Christmas bread for over 75 years.


More than a century later, Lavazza remains synonymous with Italian coffee culture.


During the holidays, pair Lavazza coffee with panettone, biscotti or chocolates for an easy Italian-style after-dinner experience. A bag of Italian coffee also makes a wonderful addition to a holiday gift basket.


Matilde Vicenzi: Italian Pastries With More Than a Century of History


Beautiful tins of Italian cookies are practically made for the holidays.


Matilde Vicenzi pastries trace their history to 1905. Over the years, the brand has become recognized in Italy and internationally for traditional Italian confectionery and pastries.


Vergani panettone is a traditional, artisan-style Italian holiday cake baked in Milan by Pasticceria Vergani, which has been making the iconic Christmas bread for over 75 years.


These assortments are perfect for placing on the table when guests arrive, bringing to a family gathering or pairing with coffee after dinner.


And there is something wonderfully nostalgic about opening a decorative tin of Italian cookies at Christmastime. For many families, the package itself becomes part of the tradition.


Perugina and Baci: A Little Italian Love


Chocolate always has a place during the holidays.


Perugina was founded in Perugia, Italy, in 1907 and became internationally known for its chocolate-making tradition and the creation of Baci.


Vergani panettone is a traditional, artisan-style Italian holiday cake baked in Milan by Pasticceria Vergani, which has been making the iconic Christmas bread for over 75 years.


Baci—meaning “kisses” in Italian—have become an especially charming gift for someone you love.


Add them to a stocking, place them alongside a bottle of wine, include them in a gift basket or bring a box to a holiday dinner.


Sometimes the smallest gifts carry the sweetest traditions.


Torrone: A Holiday Tradition With Centuries of History


One of the most fascinating sweets in our holiday collection is torrone, the classic Italian honey-and-nut nougat.


The tradition traces back centuries. La Florentine Torrone connects its heritage to Renaissance Florence, where confectioners refined Mediterranean honey-and-nut sweets into softer nougat. One of Italy’s best-known torrone legends dates the confection to the October 25, 1441 wedding of Francesco Sforza and Bianca Maria Visconti in Cremona.


Vergani panettone is a traditional, artisan-style Italian holiday cake baked in Milan by Pasticceria Vergani, which has been making the iconic Christmas bread for over 75 years.


That means when you put torrone on your Christmas table, you are sharing a confection tied to hundreds of years of Italian culinary tradition.


Slice it into small pieces after dinner, serve it with espresso or include a box in a traditional Italian holiday gift.


Give the Gift of an Italian Christmas


One of our favorite things about Russo Market during the holiday season is helping families create gifts that feel personal.


Build your own Italian-inspired holiday collection with favorites such as:


  • Panettone
  • Torrone
  • Baci and Perugina chocolates
  • Matilde Vicenzi Italian cookies and pastries
  • Lavazza coffee
  • Italian pantry specialties and imported treats


Pair a few favorites together for a hostess gift, corporate gift, teacher gift or something special for the Italian-food lover on your list.


More Than Groceries—A Connection to Heritage


At Russo, these products mean more to us than simply filling shelves.


Italian food has always been about gathering people together. Recipes, traditions and favorite brands are passed from grandparents to parents to children. One taste can bring back memories of Christmas Eve dinners, crowded kitchens, coffee after Sunday dinner and relatives sitting around the table long after the meal has ended.


That is the spirit we want you to experience when you visit Russo Market at Tanger Outlets this holiday season.

Come explore our specialty holiday collection, discover the history behind some of Italy’s most beloved foods and bring a little piece of Italian tradition home for Christmas. Great taste, since 1902.

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