By Patti Parish-Kaminski, Publisher
Super models hitting the runway for Lunches of Love at Sparkle & Sip Boutique and Legend Lounge: Camryn and Lisa Gonzales, Saige Sowa, 2024 Fort Bend County Fair Queen, Patti Parish-Kaminski and Judge Kelly Crow, Fort Bend Justice of the Peace, Pct 1, Place 1.
Just the other day I was at a function visiting with the sweetest lady, and as she admired my dress, she queried, “Do you shop local?”
“Absolutely!” was my enthusiastic reply. I immediately shared with her the store and location of where I had purchased my dress. After all, supporting and marketing local businesses has always been the primary mission of my community magazines. I’m all about supporting both local and small businesses, as I’ve had one myself for years. Helping each other matters, and it matters big both for the business and our community, because when we’re in need, where do we go? Big box retailers? Nope. It’s our locally owned businesses who are the backbone of our community, and they need our support to stand tall. They need to be our go-tos – like a really great Porch Pal – a friend that shares a meaningful and enjoyable partnership that is mutually beneficial and as a bonus, helps our community.
This message resonated with me yet again this past Saturday when I participated in a fashion show supporting Lunches of Love. If you’re not familiar with Lunches of Love, you should be. This non-profit organization is committed to ending childhood hunger in Fort Bend by providing free nutritious sack lunches during extended school holidays and weekends. Why? Because kids in need eat at school for free. So, what happens on the weekends and holidays if their families are food insecure? That’s where Lunches of Love steps in. Lunches of Love is a Porch Pal.
The scene of the fashion show was another Porch Pal – Sparkle & Sip Boutique and Legend Lounge in Richmond. Adorable, affordable clothes, a bubble bar and a speakeasy lounge. I love everything about that! The latest investment in our community by the Ostera family, who own two other successful local businesses and are amazing community partners, Sparkle & Sip is indeed a Porch Pal.
The dress that I was sporting when asked the “shop local” question is from another Porch Pal. Roots & Relics Antiques and Garden in Rosenberg is an absolute fav, and they have everything from furniture to clothing to accessories to amazing yard décor. Mr. Kaminski has had to stop by Roots & Relics on more than one occasion to collect the larger items from one of my shopping sprees. It’s fine; he needs purpose.
We’re fortunate to have some amazing Porch Pals in the culinary arena. Great for us culinarily challenged individuals. A few of my favs? Brandani’s Restaurant and Wine Bar. Ron and Claire Brandani are the best when it comes to community, and thank goodness for them, because they keep my family fed! Even my babies know that family dinner means we’re going to Brandani’s!
Alex’s Kitchen, also in Missouri City, is the best. Amazing food, great bar, family run and the service is top notch. Richmond’s Pier 36 Seafood & Oyster Bar run by the community’s BFF Jimmy Cantu is a great Porch Pal – fabulous food, fabulous friend! And then there’s Rosenberg’s Ol’ RailRoad Café. Chef Dillon Kao and his team are amazing entrepreneurs serving up delicious favs and great Porch Pals!
We have so many amazing locally owned businesses in Fort Bend, so please Porch Sitters, spend your dollars locally. It makes a difference for us all. I’ve got to run. It’s dinner time, and I’ve got to alert Mr. Kaminski to the locale of tonight’s menu. See y’all next week – on the porch!
Patti Parish-Kaminski
Follow Patti Parish-Kaminski on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OnThePorchWithPatti/ and on Instagram at instagram.com/ontheporchwithpatti/.
