Through the inaugural Boerne Retailers and Style Show, small businesses are partnering up to build awareness about shopping locally while raising money for a special charity.
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Story and photograph by Pamela Price
For one group of enterprising Hill Country business women, the opportunity to reach beyond their Main Street storefronts— and into the community—is not to be missed.
That’s a big reason why they’re collaborating on a new event this fall. At the same time, they’re hoping to raise greater awareness about the importance of shopping locally while helping out a homegrown charity in need of greater financial support. Thus, on Saturday, September 21, 2019, several Boerne retailers will host the inaugural Boerne Retailers Style Show & Shopping Event at The Bevy Hotel benefitting the Kendall County Women’s Shelter.
Expect cocktails and pop-up style shopping followed by fall style show featuring clothes available at area merchants modeled by local residents.
Most of the participating businesses line the town’s historic Main Street, a popular retail district known as the Hill Country Mile.
“We’ve all been involved individually in various projects to help with different organizations,” said Emily Carvalho, owner of The Christmas Shoppe. “At my store, I probably get at least one invitation a week to help a group or charity out in some form or fashion. This is all of us coming together to help address a couple of particular needs, however, which is really special.”
The idea first popped up in early 2019, through an informal alliance of retailers that meets monthly and interacts constantly in a private Facebook group.
“We want to give back through support of the shelter,” said Ashley Ermis, Joli Boutique’s manager, “and we also want to raise visibility about downtown stores while encouraging people to shop locally.”
The concept also came about in part through the retailers’ participation in community events like the popular Diva Night—and on the heels of watching another downtown store close. Seeing as all the participating retailers own visible, brick-and-mortar businesses in an economically robust community, one might think they’d have no shortage of committed local shoppers.
Unfortunately, that isn’t the case.
Like most small businesses, Boerne shopkeepers are constantly competing with big box retailers and online companies for every dime local families spend on home decor, clothing, accessories and gifts. At times that work can be an uphill push, especially as we head into the upcoming holiday season with a recession looming. Also, with the public’s rising interest in authentic goods and personalized shopping experiences, the Boerne Retailers in particular have to work hard to stay visible in the Greater San Antonio region.
“The more I do, the more I get out in the area at shows and shopping events around San Antonio, the more I want people to come here, to my downtown,” said Amy Bierstedt, owner of From Scratch Farm. “We want people to know who we are, what we have to offer.”
“When we first bought The Christmas Shoppe, we were told that the Kendall County population boom would help us. But if only out-of-towners and guests come to shop with us, then the area’s growth doesn’t impact us,” said Carvalho.
“With this event, we’re shouting from the rooftops that we’re here year round,” added Ermis. “Small businesses are crucial to the local economy, and we’re hoping to better connect the dots now between what we do every day to a local organization in real need.”
The local population boom coupled with rising economic disparity have placed greater demands on the Kendall County Women’s Shelter.
“They’re functioning at capacity and are in need of cash, volunteers, donations—you name it,” said Ermis. “They need help, and this event lets us raise visibility around that issue, too.”
Working together to help maximize funds available to produce the show while raising as much money as possible for the shelter, organizers have secured sponsorships from Christofilis Custom Homes, Garner Homes, Texas Star Nut & Food Company, Nature’s Eats, Audi Dominion, Designs by Celestina, Soda Pops – Patio Grill & Bar, Laurie Saunders, The Flower Shop, and Time Out Sitters.
The fall 2019 Boerne Retailers’ Style Show and Shopping Event will take place on Saturday, September 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets for the event are limited, cost $50 each, and can be purchased via EventBrite.com. At press time, the retailers anticipated making on-site babysitting services available. You can also follow the event, receive updates and reach out to organizers via the event’s official Facebook page.
