Artisanal glass producer Gilmor Glass, founded in Pine Plains in 1977, is a retail pioneer in Millerton, NY where they have been designing, manufacturing and selling hand-blown glassware and art in their spacious Hudson Valley gallery/studio for the last 15 years. Considered one of America’s “coolest little towns” by travel writers, Millerton has evolved into a retail destination in its own right. Gilmor Glass creates exquisite hand-blown glass that draws acclaim and a following, and with heightened traffic to the Village, came the challenge of maintaining their profile during the busy holiday season.
Hand-blown glass pumpkins at Gilmor Glass
This past fall BCPR arranged and promoted a series of events leading up the holidays to draw attention and sales: “Design Your Own Pumpkin”, inviting fall foliage peepers over the busy Columbus Day weekend to participate in the creation of their own holiday gift or keepsake; followed by “Design Your Own Ornament” on Black Friday weekend; and finally the “Early Bird/Night Owl” sale benefitting two local charities set during a busy shopping Saturday leading up to the holidays.
Creating news on behalf of Gilmor Glass enabled extensive coverage of these creative promotions in the local media, highlighting both the challenges small businesses are still facing in the tough economy and how they are luring old and new customers alike, as well as the charitable angle.
Bang + Collins PR helped client Stissing House restaurant in Pine Plains, NY, to showcase their special events capabilities while supporting the local community during the busy December holiday season.
 DK Farnum Estate jewelry |
 Gina Dambra's embroidered pillows next to jewelry by Gabriella Kiss and Caitlin Lightfoot |
 Shopping at the Stissing House's Holiday Market |
BCPR helped choose and organize over 16 area vendors for Le Shopping: Holiday Market in the Stissing House’s historical event space to support these local small businesses without a retail presence.
Over 75 people attended the Holiday Market Cocktail Preview Party on Friday night with all admission proceeds donated to Adopt-A-Family. Based in Millerton, NY, the charity, which is a member of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, provides new warm clothing and toys for over 120 area families (325+ children) in need over the holiday season. Patricia Jean, proprietor of the Stissing House, presented Adopt-A-Family with a check for $2,000 which was raised at the benefit.
The Preview Party gave guests the first chance to shop from a variety of carefully curated items – ranging from personal and home accessories, paintings, ceramics, jewelry, clothing, and other gifts – with complimentary glasses of Prosecco and homemade cheese puffs as an added incentive. The festively decorated upstairs event space offered the perfect backdrop for Le Shopping: Holiday Market, open to the public for no charge throughout the weekend.
BCPR and the Stissing House thank all who came out to support Adopt-A-Family and invited vendors and make the Le Shopping: Holiday Market weekend a success.
To showcase jewelry designer client Sierra Bailey’s funky and dramatic jewelry to new prospects in the Hudson Valley area, Bang + Collins PR organized a trunk show over Columbus Day weekend at Tamarack Preserve in Millbrook, NY. Tamarack members, devoted Manic Trout followers and guests were invited to shop while sampling specialty cocktails from the area’s hottest new spirits producer, Berkshire Mountain Distillers.
"Bling rings" from Manic Trout
The eclectic, edgy jewelry – with a vintage touch – was displayed among Tamarack’s animal décor. There were Zsa Zsa Bling Rings of every size and color, and Critter necklaces from every walk of the animal kingdom. Manic Trout’s new Mermaid Parade necklaces also made their debut…modern elegance meets classic chic!
Bang + Collins PR invited Berkshire Mountain Distillers to be part of the Hudson Valley tasting and offer their handcrafted spirits for guests to sample.
Spirits from Berkshire Mountain Distillers
Specialty cocktails from their award-winning classics — Ragged Mountain Rum, Ethereal & Graylock Gins and Ice Glen Vodka — were poured alongside their brand-new New England Corn Whiskey. Tamarack Preserve generously provided hors d’œuvre platters featuring local smoked game and mini quiches made with locally sourced vegetables.
Friends were made and sales were brisk, with many new Manic Trout clients added to the fold!
