Shoppers Turn Out for District Sample Sale

Six Georgetown boutiques and two restaurants from Georgetown joined the 10th semi-annual District Sample Sale (DSS) Tuesday, which raised money for the E.L. Haynes Public Charter School.

The event sold out both VIP and General admissions tickets to some 800 shoppers. The women, and a few brave men, had access to Georgetown's , Simply Soles, , , Charm and along with a few dozen other boutiques from the D.C. area. 

Allison Steele from Charm said the boutique had tried to be a vendor at the fall event, but there was not enough space. When they got the call to join in this time, they snapped at it. Steele said the boutique hoped to reach a new audience and let shoppers "see what we have" to offer.

Sarah Cannova owns Sassanova shoe store and has been participating in the DSS since it started. Cannova said she enjoys being a part of the event because it benefits a good cause, brings in new customers and to "get rid of" some off-season inventory looking for a happy home. Sassanova brought some 300 pairs of shoes to the sale and had five staff member to help manage the crowd of eager shoppers.

The first of those shoppers in the VIP line were Lois Willcox, of Great Falls, VA, and Carolyn Montrose, of Bethesda, MD. The two said Tuesday's sale was their 5th District Sample Sale together.

Their strategy included arriving early to get in line first and wearing clothes easy to try other items on with: tights, slip off shoes and tank tops. Willcox said the other essential element is a good friend, "you need to be honest with each other" about how something looks. Often there are not a lot of mirrors or dressing space available.

Barbara Martin, one of the five co-founders of the DSS, said she hoped to pass the $250,000 mark in total charitable fundraising after the event Tuesday.