Cazenovia Jewelry threw a little party in Fayetteville Thursday evening. Ralph Monforte was celebrating his fourth store opening and wanted everyone to know about. Asking Gail Boone to help him out, they sent out about 3,000 invitations.
Held in the Towne Center Commons, the reception featured sample foods from the area. The corporate hallway, which leads to offices for 300 employees upstairs, was bursting with guests including a musical duo for entertainment.
“Ralph asked me to help him throw a party,” said Boone. “I tried to get all of his new neighbors involved. We don’t know what the bill is yet.
This was not an ordinary catered event. Carrabba’s Italian Grill featured Chicken Marsala and Caesar Salad. Bonefish Grill served Scallop Rumaki with Chutney Dressing and different flavorings of salmon, shrimp and swordfish. McKinnon’s Liquor poured wine. King David featured Feta Balls, Spanikopita, Hummus and Pita and Skewered Chicken. Kimberly’s supplied ice cream and truffles. P&C made a cheese and cracker tray and Panera Bread served up coffee and desserts. There was also a table with sparkling water, sliced lemons and limes, cherries and chocolate strawberries.
“Ralph has always been a really good friend and mentor,” Kimberly Bukowski said.
The new Susan Machamer line takes up 12 feet of glass casing. She designs necklaces, earrings, bracelets and gadget jewelry.
“You can take this one apart and put it together differently,” Machamer said. “This one has a little ball in a maze. See, jewelry can be fun.”
Jimmy Golub and Kevin Dorsey provided the piano and bass music, performing many jazz classics.
“We can put the Cazenovia name prominently in several business centers,” said Monforte. “It’s the best thing we can do for advertising our town.”
Monforte intends to sit pat right now but doesn’t rule out expanding to Oneida or even Cooperstown. It would be more of a ride, but the food will be worth it.
