LoRo retailers set to party June 17

[attach]4328[/attach]A group of independent business owners on lower Roncesvalles Avenue are gearing up to have a block party shopping night.

The Ladies of LoRo, so they have called themselves in the past, are four business owners who between them own five retails shops on a one-block stretch between Pearson and Galley avenues: Hawk Eyes (103 Roncesvalles); Frock and Imelda (97 and 123 Roncesvalles); My Dog’s Daycare (111 Roncesvalles); and Mrs. Huizenga (121 Roncesvalles).

On the evening of Friday, June 17 they’ll be hosting LoRo Ladies’ Night in their respective stores, a combination shopping night with prizes, refreshments and entertainment.

A similar event late last year after shop hours was successful, attracting several hundred people, says Mrs. Huizenga owner Catherine Huizenga.

“We had a fantastic turnout.”

The idea was to have a block party, she says, simple as that.

“We were looking at having a little fun.”

Though they haven’t yet confirmed the times for this year’s event, Huizenga says they’ll duplicate the format from the Nov. 2010 event, meaning participating shops will be open late.

Huizenga, also a board member of the Roncesvalles BIA, says there are lots of BIA-run events but this is not one of them.

She says there’s an intimacy in keeping it small. Plus the shops complement each other and share the same clientele.

At the moment, it’s just the five stores participating, but Huizenga says there’s still time to involve other retailers.

“I’d like to take it another block south.”