Cash mob planned Saturday for local boutique

An interactive fashion show, shopping, drinks, and free parking all the while helping a local entrepreneur from having to close her doors — what more could a girl ask for? (Other than learning “Where, when, and how?”) These answers will be revealed Saturday, March 24, at the Cash Mob event for Glamarita Clothing and Accessories. Bring some of your green to 901 West Garland Avenue between 3 and 6 p.m., and you’ll not only have a good time with other participants, but you’ll feel good by buying local and keeping local fashion designer and Glamarita owner Ronnie Ryno in business. The one-of-a-kind boutique which features 100 percent locally-handmade items “is set to close its doors in just four weeks time unless Spokane puts its high heels forward and reaches into their pockets to help,” said Mary Tafuri, a local jewelry designer, friend to Ryno and organizer of the Cash Mob event. “Our goal is to get 160 people through the doors, spending at least $25 in cash to help save Glamarita from having to close,” she said. “There will be gorgeous models wearing silent auction pieces donated by favorite local designers, as well as paparazzi, music and fun, and Ronnie will have plenty of awesome goods to sell, including gift certificates for custom design work.” Following the 3-6 p.m. event, The Garland Drinkery will be hosting a “Mob Party,” offering drink specials to anyone coming in with a Glamarita receipt. In 2011, Ryno, a special education teacher, opened Glamarita as a way to take her passion of up-cycling discarded material, clothing and accessories to higher levels. For four years, she had been teaching during the day and working nights in her basement studio to create original and stylish handmade recycled designs. “Even though I’m not a professional seamstress, I have a good eye for color and design and a quirky sense of style and absolutely hate to blend in with the crowd,” said Ryno. In August 2007, she created the all-local, catwalk-style runway show, Runway Renegades — now in its fifth year — which gives local fashion designers a forum to show their work. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the local breast-cancer awareness organization, Hug Love Save. In 2011, Ryno decided to quit teaching and then moved her studio from her basement to 901 West Garland Avenue, where she could also carry the creations of other local artisans and designers. However, the first winter proved to be a challenge for the fledgling business, fueling the tough decision that if sales didn’t get a boost, the business’ doors would close for good. “Friends of Glamarita have really shown their support by rallying the public for this exciting event. Spokane is such a supportive community and I’m really looking forward to it,” she said. Local designers planning to be part of the event will include Totally Trashed Fashion, Tafuri Jewelry, Assassin Apparel, Veda Lux, and Jen X Perspective, among others. Participants/supporters are asked to bring at least $25 in cash. Free parking is available at The Garland Theater.