This past weekend, something truly special happened inside Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery. Families gathered, children smiled from ear to ear, and the Easter Bunny made his way through the crowd alongside his assistant, greeting little ones, handing out small gifts, and posing for countless photos.
It was the kind of event many parents said you just do not see anymore.
The heart behind it all was vendor Raeann VanDorne, a retired firefighter and paramedic who recently relocated from Arizona. As a vendor at the mall, she wanted to create something that would bring the community in and showcase everything the space has to offer.
“I created this event to help bring in community members so they can experience the great mall we have and all the items we have to offer,” Raeann shared.
The idea came together as part of the mall’s tradition of hosting free events throughout the year, with Easter and Christmas being the largest. Raeann began planning back in January with a clear vision for everyone attending to have a good time while discovering just how much the mall offers, with new items arriving almost daily.
Once her plan was in place, she reached out to fellow vendors through a private Facebook group, and the response was immediate.
“It’s truly amazing,” she said about seeing so many vendors come together.
The event featured hands-on fun for families, including decorate-your-own cupcake stations, cookies, and Easter baskets that were generously donated by multiple vendors throughout the gallery. Raeann shared that these elements were part of her initial plan, and she invited vendors to contribute baskets and support the additional giveaways.
The Easter Bunny, scheduled by the mall, was a highlight of the day, especially as he walked around the space greeting children one-on-one.
The turnout definitely exceeded expectations.
“A lot of smiles and thank yous,” Raeann said. Her favorite moment was seeing the joy on children’s faces and hearing from parents how rare it is to experience events like this today.
For those who have never visited, Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery offers a welcoming, family and pet friendly shopping experience with over 200 small businesses under one roof. Visitors can explore a thoughtfully curated mix of vintage treasures, handcrafted goods, unique collectibles, and more, all in one vibrant destination.
When asked about challenges during planning, Raeann shared there were none, which speaks to the strong sense of community among vendors.
That sense of community is exactly what made the event so special.
Looking ahead, Raeann shared that the mall will continue its tradition of holiday events. While plans are still forming, she is hoping to include stocking giveaways during the Christmas event, not just for children but for adults as well.
At its core, the event was about bringing people together.
“This brings people together,” Raeann said.
And that is exactly what it did.
Be sure to follow Main St. Antiques & Design Gallery on social media to stay up to date on future events.
