Vendors Support PTA at Boutique Night

Eighteen vendors lined the edges of the l gym Thursday night looking to sell their goods and help the school’s PTA. Vendor Boutique Shopping Night featured a variety of sellers, making each booth stop a new experience for customers. 

The event was organized by Shannon Straub, who is no stranger to both organizing and participating in boutiques. Last month, Straub spearheaded a to benefit Christopher’s Crew, a Lynbrook team in June's New York City Hemophilia Walk. 

Straub is the owner of BunnaBows, a company that makes and sells hand crafted hair bows and accessories. 

“I do one every year for West End [Elementary],” Straub said of the PTA boutique. “My son is now in sixth grade, so I approached the North PTA about doing one for them. It’s a great fundraiser. It gets the community involved. It’s good timing with Mother’s Day and communions coming up.”  

Vendors paid the PTA $30 for the opportunity to sell goods. Money raised is used to fund events such as the Welcome Back Barbecue, eighth grade graduation, and North/South Field Day. This year, the PTA purchased a sound system for North-TV, a creative way for students to participate in the morning announcements, according to North PTA president Terry Moran.     

The types of items on sale could not have been more different, an ideal situation for organizers. While hand made jewelry was present at multiple stands, the pieces sold by Christina Cirami carried a unique quality to them.

Cirami is the owner of Once Upon A Button, a business that designs jewelry out of antique buttons. Buttons are acquired from collectors that store unused buttons in books, similar to those made for coin collectors. Her jewelry featured buttons dating as far back as the 1930’s.

Active since 1984, Cirami does most of her business through the company’s website. She enjoys the fair setting because it gives her a different avenue to move her product.

The button jeweler also doesn’t mind taking a look at the other tables.

“Half the time I’m shopping at the other vendors,” Cirami said.

Marc Shapiro set up his booth two spots down from Cirami. His business, Side Arm Enterprises, offers a large selection of baseball cards, posters, and other novelty items. 

Although he sells stuffed toys, WWE action figures and toy cars, a certain group of items always seem to rise to the top, according to Shapiro.  

“The one thing that always does well is Mets, Yankees, Jets, or Giants stuff,” he said.

Other vendors at the boutique included Jewelry by Donna, Platinum Brush Airbrushing, , Telili Jewelry, and Jessy’s Pastries.

Did you buy anything at Vendor Boutique Night? Tell us in comments.