By Anthony Stoeckert, Packet Media Group
Nine years ago, the people who run Palmer Square had the idea of hosting a “Girls Night Out” promotion, inviting women to come to the square to dine, shop and take advantage of sales and promotions hosted by various stores.
According to Anita Fresolone, Palmer Square’s marketing director, the first Girls Night Out drew 100 women. That means it’s grown 10 times as big, considering last year’s event brought nearly 1,000 women to Palmer Square. And it’s expected to be a big night again when Girls Night Out is held May 14, 4-9 p.m.
”We’ve created a fun atmosphere to shop and it’s a great opportunity for attendees to visit stores they may not usually go in,” Ms. Fresolone says in a press release. “Plus, if someone makes a purchase at three or more stores or restaurants and gets their “passport” signed, they will be entered to win a grand prize.”
Stores throughout Palmer Square will be offering discounts, special gifts, makeovers, raffles and more. Some of the stores that will be participating are The Farmhouse Store, kate spade new york, Bluemercury, Lace Silhouettes Lingerie, Kitchen Kapers, Dandelion, Ann Taylor, Mediterra, Carter & Cavero Olive Oil Company, Botari and the Princeton Corkscrew Wine Shop.
The Farmhouse Store (at 43 Hulfish St.) will be hosting a promotion by Company C, which sells colorful rugs, bedding, placemats, throws and more.
”They’ll be here and we’ll be offering 25 percent off everything Company C offers except for their new fall line,” says Kristin Menapace, co-owner of The Farmhouse Store. “They’re also going to be giving away two $250 gift certificates, no purchase necessary. We’ll have a raffle for Company C products as well.”
Food will be provided by Jammin’ Crepes, and the store will be offering wine. Also, an interior designer will be on hand to answer questions and talk about what the Farmhouse Store offers in terms of design.
Obviously, Lace Silhouettes Lingerie (33 Palmer Squarse West) is a natural for Girls Night Out, and it will be offering complimentary bra fittings during the big night.
”That’s a service that we do consistently offer, but we’ll have a team of extra fitters on board. It’s a really fun thing that women like to do with their girlfriends, get a group together, go out to get fitted,” says Heather Crawford, key buyer for Lace. “It’s a social thing and it becomes a shopping experience.”
She adds that there are lots of benefits for women who get a more accurate fit.
”We do a tremendous size range we go from a 30A up to a 44H,” Ms. Crawford says. “We do sizes at both ends of the spectrum that women didn’t even know existed. And nine times out of 10, women that come to us for fittings end up in a different size than they came in with. It’s a fun thing for women to do together at a big event like this.”
Lace also will offer special promotions, such as a free Hanky Panky brand thong (a $20 value) to the first 50 attendees who make a purchase of $50 or more.
”We’re also doing a free mystery gift card, with a mystery value on it,” Ms. Crawford says. “They have to come back during the month of June to determine the value of their gift card, and it will be between $5 and $50, and they receive that with every purchase.”
Women can participate in Girls Night Out through a free generation admission RSVP, which offers a full list of in-store sales, discounts and promotions. The RSVP also includes a visit to the Taste of the Square Tent for food samplings (which is open 4-7 p.m.) and complimentary parking at the Chambers Street or Hulfish Street garages.
Also available for purchase are $10 tickets to the “GNO Lounge,” at 19 Hulfish St., where there will be food from Mediterra, drinks, music, raffles and demos by Salon Pure. A percentage of sales to the lounge will benefit Dress for Success Mercer County. The lounge hours are 6-8:30 p.m., and attendees must be 21 or older. Space is limited for the lounge, early purchase is recommended.
At the lounge, Lace will offer a raffle for an event (also called Girls Night Out), where the winner can invite 14 friends for a private event at the store for wine, cheese, fittings and demonstrations.
Girls Night Out is a big night for Palmer Square, and one of the goals is to bring in people who might not have visited the square before, and show them why they should come back.
”It definitely draws a wider crowd from the wider area,” Ms. Crawford says, “the Hamilton-Trenton-Lawrenceville area that might not always think of Palmer Square as a shopping destination. They come for this event because there are so many other things and activities going on, and they discover great stores they might not have shopped at before.”
”We definitely see new faces, and the feedback is ‘I need to come back when I have more time,’” Ms. Menapace says. “And it’s such a great night. The women have a really nice time, and it’s nice and relaxing.”
And, there’s wine!
The rain date is May 15. For more information, to RSVP or purchase lounge tickets, go towww.palmersquare.com.
