Business & Tech

'Taste of Ardmore' Returns on Thursday

The annual Ardmore Initiative fundraiser features food from local restaurants and a fashion show featuring some well-known Ardmore faces.

Another night of food and fashion from local businesses is planned for Ardmore Initiative’s annual Taste of Ardmore fundraiser this Thursday.

The event, to be held at Ardmore Toyota, is Ardmore Initiative's only fundraising event of the year. The business district authority, created in 1993, advocates for the business community in Ardmore and has worked to bring events like Clover Market and Oktoberfest to Ardmore, in addition to recruiting downtown businesses.

The money raised from ticket sales goes toward continuing to support the work of the Ardmore Initiative, which also includes cleaning up Ardmore, fixing its facades, planting trees and other projects, said Ardmore Initiative’s John Durso.

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For a $40 ticket (or $60, after the early bird special ends), attendees get a chance to sample food from local restaurants, enjoy spirits from local pubs, watch some “local celebrities” strut their stuff on the runway, and enter to win a host of prizes donated by local businesses. Bill Henley from NBC10 will serve as emcee for the evening.

Wondering what you’ll get to taste? Ardmore Station Café, Barbacoa, Bistro 30, Di Bruno Bros, Firinji, Gillane’s Tavern, Golden Bowl, Jack McShea’s, Kotatsu, MilkBoy Coffee, Plate Restaurant, Primavera Pizza Kitchen, Sweet Stuff and A Taste of Olive are all participating, according to an event flier.

Main Line Wine Events, McCloskey’s Tavern and Tired Hands will all be serving drinks as well.

“You’re not going to be able to go anywhere get the drinks and food, and the variety of food, that you’ll get here for the price,” Durso said. “Plus, you get to see a really fun fashion show with lots of people you know participating.”

The annual fashion show, which features local celebrities dressed in clothing and accessories from local businesses, is one of the most-loved parts of the event. This year’s models include Commissioner Liz Rogan, Lower Merion Township Secretary Eileen Trainer, former township spokeswoman Brenda Viola, and other faces that are well-known around town.

Last year’s event raised between $20,000 and $25,000 for Ardmore Initiative, executive director Christine Vilardo said. The fashion show included Harry Althouse of Harry’s Treasures, Clover Market entrepreneur Janet Long and Merion Fire Co. of Ardmore Chief Tom Hayden. View photos from last year’s Taste of Ardmore here. 

This year’s party begins at 5:30 p.m. and runs through 8 p.m. on Thursday night, with the fashion show beginning around 6:15 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased for $40 in advance; they are $60 at the door. Buy tickets here.

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Editor's note (7:30 p.m. on 11/5/12): A paragraph has to further explain the Ardmore Initiative's purpose.


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