AVE Provides Holiday Shopping Experience at Home

Dec. 13, 2013 – AVE residents didn’t have to shop online this holiday season to avoid overcrowded malls and frenzied shoppers. “At AVE, we know traveling for business and being away from friends and family for extended periods can be stressful, especially around the holidays,” says Lea Anne Welsh, president of AVE.

Every month, AVE communities host Resident Receptions to give residents an opportunity to relax and socialize with their neighbors, while being introduced to local cuisine and businesses in their community.

During the holidays, many AVE communities invite boutiques to set up shops at its communities so that residents can buy for loved ones right at home, while indulging in local cuisine, festive sweets, live entertainment and mini beauty sessions. “Everything we do at AVE is to ensure our residents have a carefree and seamless lifestyle while they are away from home,” Welsh says.

In late November, the Downingtown team invited LuxeGiving, an event-planning company that organizes luxury, charity-based community events, to host a pop-up mall at the community. Residents shopped fashion, jewelry, accessories, and artisanal goods – proceeds supporting The Linda Creed Breast Cancer Foundation.

Dulles residents recently shopped a variety of local vendors, including women’s fashion, jewelry, handbags, candles and original artwork. The team also hosted a wine-and-cheese wrapping party this week, so residents could indulge and socialize while checking off a holiday chore.

Last evening, Clifton and Union each hosted shopping events to 100-200 residents. AVE Clifton had pop-up shops from Femmebot Clothing, Lisa Jewelry, J. Hilburn, Village Vogue Clothing and Once Upon a Skirt, along with sweet treats from Mr. Cupcakes, a beauty bar by Bangz Salon & Wellness Spa and a mini chair massage from its resident masseuse, Christine. Dinner was catered by Al Cavaliere Ristorante, and there were live entertainment and ticket raffles from New Jersey Performing Arts Center and Starbucks.

AVE Union had pop-up shops from Femmebot Clothing, Designer Fragrances & Cosmetic Company, Bath Junkie, You & I and Scentsy Fragrance. Dinner was catered by Basilico, drinks were provided by Dragonfly Restaurant & Bar, and sweet treats were created by Splurge Bakery. Dale Toth performed live, with a special performance by Union’s own Randee Masol, and there was a ticket raffle from Papermill Playhouse.

Both events had a photo booth on site to preserve AVE memories – sponsored by WallyPark, which provides valet parking services for Newark Liberty International Airport.