Farmville business owners are organizing a fashion show for this weekend
Published 6:45 am Friday, April 14, 2023
FARMVILLE – Working women and busy mothers know how difficult it can be to shop for themselves – many times abandoning the task by subscribing to services such as StitchFix, Wantable and others. Some of the business owners in Farmville and Prince Edward County saw a need, and decided to bring clothes, jewelry, accessories and more to local residents with the Runway to Rice Fashion Show.
The event will take place on Sunday, April 16 from 4pm to 6pm at the Sandy River Distillery in Rice. Doors open at 3, and early arrival is encouraged. Admission is free, and women throughout the community are encouraged to attend – if nothing else, to get to know each other, check out the latest trends, and support local businesses by shopping their favorite view of the pop up vendors that can be seen throughout the show . A portion of all proceeds will go to benefit the Rice Volunteer Fire Department. Everyone involved in the project donated their time as volunteers.
“(The) The idea for the event came about because as a busy working mom finding time to shop for yourself is always a challenge,” said Candice Smith. She and her husband own Sandy River Distillery. “I am in awe of all the women and businesses that have come up on Main Street in Farmville, and I feel that a collaboration with this fashion show will give everyone a chance to get to know each other, support each other, and have fun. !”
Smith said he was humbled to see how hard everyone worked on this and appreciated their energy.
“The detailed planning started just a few weeks ago, but we all worked hard and fast as a team,” Smith said. “We have decided that the proceeds from a nice big raffle gift basket will go to our local Rice fire department, for their quick response to the distillery explosion last year! We will continue to work on new ideas for hosting a fashion show next year.
‘A perfect opportunity’ in Farmville
As Lisa Tharpe, owner of Wellness on Main, points out, it was put together and planned in almost record time.
“Working with this great group of women business owners has been inspiring and rewarding,” said Tharpe. “Our incredible collaboration of 18 local businesses coming together to create a fun and unique fashion show in Sandy River is nothing short of amazing.”
Now there is no charge for admission, which is important to the group so they can make it open to everyone.
“The beautiful clothes and jewelry you’ll see at the show will be available through Pop Up Shop-style booths the day of the event, and of course also in the women’s stores on Main Street,” Tharpe said. “This group is excited to bring the Runway to Rice on Sunday and hope many will enjoy the afternoon with us.”
Sundari Morgan owns the store Lex on Main in downtown Farmville. She said it seemed like a good time for the show after four new and different women-owned women’s clothing stores opened on Main Street last year.
“It felt like the perfect opportunity to join together to present our respective brands at the runway show,” said Morgan. “Although this is the first major event of this kind since 2020 (in the region), it is best to believe that it will not be the last. All the businesses involved are excited to be active participants in the community of Farmville, and ready to serve the local crowd in the best ways we can.