CHESTER COUNTY PRESS: Marche And Bentley Homes

Marche And Bentley Homes Host Benefit For The Garage Community & Youth Center

By Richard L. Gaw

During the late afternoon and early evening hours of May 3, art, chocolate, bourbon and fine residential design converged under one roof to help a local organization.

The “Art, Bourbon and Chocolate” event, held at Stonehouse, a newly constructed Bentley Homes carriage home community on South Union Street in Kennett Square, raised funds for the Garage Community & Youth Center in the borough.

The event invited “Whiskey Whisperer” Mike Jasinski, chocolate sommelier Estelle Tracy and local clothing designer David Ferron to showcase their skills, and featured artwork by local artists Ellen Catanzaro and Katee Boyle.

Deanna Johnson of Marche teamed up with Tom Bentley of Bentley Homes to design the Annapolis model, and sales professionals from Bentley Homes gave tours to the more than 100 guests who attended the event. Johnson tailored her designs to second-home buyers, and filled the homes with original art, comfortable furniture, and family heirlooms.

Special guests contributed their fees to the Garage, who also received donations from guests and 10 to 20 percent of all artwork and merchandise sales.

“Vendors like this help give us a community vibe that says that the Garage is not an independent entity, but a partner who works with businesses and other organizations,” said Aaron Smith of the Garage. “We just had our youth give back day, which partners our students with organizations in the community.”

To contact Staff Writer Richard L. Gaw, email rgaw@chestercounty.com.