A New Kind of Ladies' Night in Fredericksburg

Ladies, save the date.  The Real Housewives of Fredericksburg are hosting a Red Carpet Grand Debut Party on Thursday, and you're invited. 

The party begins at 7 p.m. at Ladyburg, 807 Caroline St. 

There is no dress code, but it's the perfect opportunity to dress-up.  "Now's the time for those sparkly shoes and fancy outfits we so rarely get to wear," Crystal Wellman, owner of Ladyburg, said.  Think red carpet and paparazzi.

"I've always wanted to do a ladies night out, but everyone I've talked to says it just doesn't work," Wellman said.  "I think it's because those who do them usually focus only on their business.  We're doing it totally different.  We're really focusing on the ladies.  We're bringing together the businesses and the women of the Fredericksburg region."

"Everyone who comes is going to get something.  There are not going to be vendor tables or anything like that.  There will be entertainment, free gift bags for all guests, beverages, prizes and even some pampering."  High Maintenance Image & Fashion Consulting, for example, will be offering onsite styling, fashion tips and accessorizing advice.  

"It's going to be a place for ladies to come and have fun.  Bring a girlfriend and maybe go out to dinner afterwards."

"Many local businesses have donated tangible itmems to the swag bags; not just coupons, but really good stuff," Wellman said.  "You'll be saying, 'oh my gosh I can't believe it!'"

The event is for all women and its aim is to promote all downtown Fredericksburg businesses.  "'Housewife is any woman in the region looking to break from boring and hit the town," Wellman said.

"Part of what I've discovered as a downtown merchant is that many people don't know we're here because they don't come to downtown Fredericksburg," Wellman said.  "I can't tell you how many times I've heard, 'I never come downtown.'"

"We figured out that even though this is such a great downtown, a lot of people don't come here becasue they don't know how great it is.  We believe a large part of our business has to be to sell downtown Fredericksburg.  We need to educate people that there are really cool stores, really cool people and great restaurants."

"It's befuddling to my husband and me because we've been coming downtown since the day we moved here," Wellman said.  The couple lives in Stafford but considers Fredericksburg their home.

"We really believe this is an opportunity to show off the businesses that are down here.  We believe strongly that rising water raises all ships -- if we do well here that helps other businesses prosper, too."

Wellman, Jewelry Diva FaithAnn King and Didi Russell of the Virginia Wedding and Event Network, based in Fredericksburg, are hosting the event.

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