History

Boutique at the Rink origins

Even before the advent of the Boutique at the Rink, the Lehigh Valley had a history of fundraising for cancer relief. For years, card parties were held in local homes, with each player donating $2. During that time, Mrs. Stanley Frantz (Pearl) was director of the Northampton County Unit of the American Cancer Society, and Mrs. Stewart Cort (Liza) was local cancer chairman.

Mrs. Lewis Foy (Marge), a member of the local cancer committee, hoped to offer fundraisers in which more people could participate. Eventually, she came up with “Do Your Own Thing – But Do Something For Cancer!” These projects included swimming meets, gourmet cooking classes, Christmas card sales, bus trips, house and garden tours, and dessert parties – like the one held in 1974 at the home of gourmet cook Susan Hillman. It was the vision of Mrs. Frank Griswold (Cleone) which suggested a sale of nearly new, designer-type clothing in 1974, which became the Boutique at the rink.

Boutique At The Rink Milestones:

[1988]

Willard Scott, NBC Today Show TV weatherman, promoted the Boutique on-air, wearing the apron designed and donated for sale by Dan Wells of Stiegler, Wells and Brunswick ad agency.

[1989]

The first-day crowd was the largest in the Boutique’s history to date.

[1991]

Unsellable and salvaged scraps of wool were used to create and then raffle a 5 x 7-foot rug made by the Bethlehem Rug Braiders.

Benefit News – American Cancer Society used Boutique donations to fund the 9-cents-a-mile stipend given to parents who needed to transport their children to the Children’s Hospital of Pennsylvania (CHOP).

[1994]

Boutique at the Rink reached the $1 million+ milestone in just 20 years, and the number of volunteers increased to 200.

[1995]

A pre-sale Celebrity Fashion Show was held prior to the Boutique opening. Celebrity models included State Rep Lisa Boscola, former state representative Kathy McHale, Pam Semmel of Oldies 99, Diane Grey and Kristin Curtis of WLEV and WEST, and Heather McCarthy of B104. Nancy Werteen served as emcee.

[2008]

Boutique at the Rink was enhanced with the help of St. Luke’s Development Office and generosity of honorary chair Linny Fowler.

[2010]

A raffle was formed and enabled profits of $7,500.

Boutique Bucks were created to provide several local agencies the chance to show at the Boutique. This was made possible through the generosity of Linny Fowler.

[2012]

Pink Light Specials were born, offering additional discounts for 1 hour on Half-Price Day.