It was a morning of mimosas and a marching band at the much-anticipated grand opening of River Oaks shopping gem, Events. Armed with $50-off coupons, hundreds of shoppers and supporters gathered for the unveiling of the new store, which is now located on 2439 Westheimer Rd., in what was formerly The Empty Vase.
As guests walked the red carpet, owner Regina Garcia, who shuttered the original location in the River Oaks Shopping Center in December, cut a red ribbon to re-open her beloved shop, flanked by her friends Philamena Baird and Terry Hogan.
“Philamena and Terry have been with me every day since this started,” says Garcia, who adds she has been “working non-stop” since the closure of the original location. “If you Google how long it takes to close a location, and build out a new one, it says it takes nine months,” she notes. “We did it in 43 days. My design contacts in New York said there was no way that could happen.”
But happen, it did. The new location, while smaller than the original, is an open-flow showroom. “Everyone here thinks the space is bigger, though it’s not,” says Garcia. With its gold and white color palette, the new space is inspired by a French chateau, and mixes traditional and modern design. “People are asking me who did the design — I tell them, me, Philamena and Terry,” says Garcia with a laugh.
The showy grand opening was apropos for an ornate mecca of over-the-top gifts, says Garcia, who promises the “same passion for customers, and the design piece of my business” as in her old location. Garcia is also planning more happenings at Events — including a function for UT Health on February 21 — but for now, it’s time to travel, and shop for the store.
“Once I start traveling, the store will be even more global,” Garcia says. “Events will be the center of the universe for gifts.”
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Events (2439 Westheimer Rd.) is now open from 10 am – 6 pm, Monday through Saturday, and noon – 6 pm Sunday.
Events owner Regina Garcia and Philamena Baird at the Events grand opening,
