Moms shop, wine and dine

Moms from Union and Essex County spent their Friday night schmoozing and getting to know one another at the “Moms Night Out Gala” held at in Scotch Plains. The event was held by NJMOMomsguide.com, an organization started four years ago by Kate Motz of Mountainside and Christina Castro of Union.

The event featured local businesses from downtown Westfield, Summit, Scotch Plains, and even some businesses run from people’s homes. While there was not an entrance fee, each person was asked to bring a coat for the and by the end of the night a total of 60 coats were donated.

“It’s a great way to get local businesses connected,” Motz said.

Motz and Castro said they held the event because it’s a unique opportunity for moms to unwind, meet new people and give back to the community at the same time. Each year the group holds three events, all of which have a charitable component to it. 

“We just want to make sure it’s about the charity,” Castro said.

The vendors at the event included: Bamboo Booboo, Swiss Just, Mom.com, Stella and Dot, Trish Mceroy, Dancer’s Pointe Studio, in your heart NY locket, Rawbundant, Comfy Cuisine, Dore Chocolates and many more.          

Mom.com, a daily deals website that launched in May, was represented by Michelle Siddons of Maplewood. Siddons said although they only advertise through local community events, it has been a success so far and 16,000 people subscribe to the site. The site itself is free, but as a subscriber, a person can get up to 50 percent or more off at a local salon or restaurant in Union County.

“We really want to spend our money on local organizations” Siddons said.

One of the few men in at the event was Kris Kopsaftis, founder and president of Bamboo Booboo. Kopsaftis, who has been a designer his entire life, wanted to make a line of men’s clothes that was unique, while at the same time organic, he said. So, after doing some research he found out bamboo is a renewable resource and it is extremely soft. He now makes men’s, women’s, children’s and even baby t-shirts out of his home.

“The only way to clothing is to have a niche,” he said.

Three moms from Cranford -- Christine Radlmann, Nutan Rubinson and Amy Imhof -- said the night was a blast. The women agreed the most intriguing vendor was KOGA, kickboxing with yoga and they all signed up for it  The women said it was nice not having to pay for the event,  but the charity aspect was important and they donated eight coats.

“It’s a good combo; shopping and a night out,” Radlmann said.