South Florida Sun-Sentinel Palm Beach (Sunday)
Pop-up sale brings in $34,000 for Dress for Success Palm Beaches
A fashion wonderland awaited bargain shoppers with designer tastes during a recent pop-up sale at the Palm Beach Outlets in West Palm Beach.
For four days, Dress for Success Palm Beaches rolled out racks of gently used clothing, accessories and jewelry for its fifth annual Shop for Success fundraiser.
According to organizers, the sale raised $34,000 for the nonprofit organization’s efforts to “empower women to achieve economic independence by providing not only head-to-toe workplace wardrobing, but also courses and coaching to build
self-esteem and job readiness.”
During an exclusive, ticketed VIP Preview Reception the night before the flash sale’s public opening, supporters scooped up designer labels such as St. John, Eileen Fisher, Brooks Brothers, Chico’s, Ann Taylor, Tory Burch and Lilly Pulitzer for a fraction of their retail price.
The temporary space in an empty storefront, which is provided by the Palm Beach Outlets as an in-kind donation, is divided into zones, including a Couture Corner. Prices are based on categories, such as $10 for shoes and $12 for dresses.
The inventory comes from items donated to Dress for Success that the organization is unable to use for its clothing closet that helps to outfit clients looking for jobs.
Over 100 volunteers played the roles of sales associates, dressing room attendants and cashiers.
Shoppers perused the offerings while sipping Champagne, sampling hors d’oeuvres and decadent desserts and listening to tunes pumped out by a DJ.
Board members Lori Everett, director of human resources for Queen of Pawns, and Karen Velez, principal of The Velez Law Firm, P.A., served as event co-chairwomen for the first time. Schumacher Automotive Group and Zimmer Biomet were sponsors.
“For the first time in the five years DFSPB has been staging the sale, it reserved the final two hours on Sunday, 5-7 p.m., for current and past clients to come in and fill shopping bags with merchandise for themselves in exchange for helping to breakdown and close up the shop,” said Executive Director Mary Hart. “Nearly two dozen women took advantage of this offer, and it was one more success for the group.”
Good Greek Moving and Storage donated its transportation services to move the merchandise for Dress for Success.
The organization recently opened it new headquarters at 2459 S. Congress Ave., Suite 204 in Palm Springs.
Visit palmbeaches.dressforsuccess.org/.