Erika Spence: Business in the Park

Fashion Week struts on

While it seems like only yesterday, it has been nearly two weeks since the conclusion of Harriett’s Park Avenue Fashion Week. The seven-day celebration of fashion and design held more than 65 in-store events, showcased 20 local boutiques and celebrated the Women of Hope, an auxiliary group for Community Food and Outreach Center. The event is truly a passion for the volunteer organizing committee, led this year by Sarah Grafton, financial advisor at Grafton Wealth Management at Merrill Lynch. Sarah’s passion for Park Avenue was honed as a past-president of the Park Avenue Merchants Association and her leadership truly catapulted the event to new heights in 2013.

Three recent additions to Park Avenue were featured on the runway including Forema Boutique, which moved into the former Earth Inspired Living spot on North Park Avenue. This is the second location for owner Sarah Katsandris, who has a boutique in Fort Myers as well.

Also featured on the runway was nearby Wearable Art, which while not new to Park Avenue, has a new owner and is introducing new art-inspired pieces to its collection. Be sure to stop by and meet Esa Everroad, who is relocating from Wisconsin to be close to the store’s operations.

Finally, Red Carpet Couture showcased beautiful designer dresses and accessories on the runway. Look for the store to open soon on Morse Boulevard in the former Things and Fashion space, as it is currently closed for renovations.

Under the tent

Each year the West Meadow is host to a variety of events in and around what begins as the Fashion Week tent. Last weekend the tent was home to the third annual Cows & Cabs event, a charity fundraiser dreamt up by John Rivers, chef and owner at 4 Rivers Smokehouse and David and Tina Larue of ABC Fine Wine & Spirits. The evening helped raise much needed awareness and support for Evolve Orlando and Community Food and Outreach Center during a food-and-wine walk around.

Next up, look for the tent to get a little smaller – and cooler – as the city welcomes Winter in the Park, the annual holiday ice skating rink on Nov. 15. The opening of the rink coincides with the launch of The Observer’s new holiday guide (look for that in your paper soon) and the online voting for The Ovations, the ‘best of’ guide to our community, as voted by you, the readers. There’ll be more on that soon.

Lastly, look for the return of the beloved Winter Park Harvest Festival on Nov. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The fourth annual event will showcase the best of Central Florida’s local farmers and artisans in a producer-only market featuring everything needed to create a locally sourced Thanksgiving dinner. For details on workshops and more information, visit winterparkharvestfestival.com

Happy Hour for Hunger

Thinking about making that Thanksgiving dinner made my tummy growl for a second, which also reminded me about Feed the Need, our community’s one of a kind effort to support Second Harvest Food Bank this season. The fundraising effort begins Nov. 1 and continues through Nov. 22 with a variety of ways for businesses, schools, churches and residents to get involved. Look for information at feedtheneedwp.org. The Winter Park Chamber of Commerce is participating in the fundraising campaign, but also hosting a special fall-themed happy hour event with all ticket proceeds going to help Feed the Need. Join us on Nov. 14 at Winter Park Village for drinks, appetizers and live music all for a great cause. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at winterpark.org or at the Winter Park Welcome Center in advance.

Erika Spence is the senior director of marketing and communications at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce.