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Articles
B'ville: Tea parties on the river
Elizabeth Zagata 07/03/07
For every little girl that dreams of being a princess, Jacqueline Coe will make it a reality.
As owner of Sugar and Spice Party Planners, Coe has been coordinating themed children’s birthday parties with much success at her clients’ homes. However, as word spread and business grew, she received more and more inquiries from parents who did not want to have the celebration at their own home. So Coe decided that the time was right to open up her own shop where she could host the birthday parties as well as other special events.
After looking at several different locations, she found the perfect place at 3 Marble St., the former home of Il Bello Vino.
“I fell in love with the spot,” she said of the waterfront setting, which will have a Victorian English rose garden theme. “It really looks like you’re going to grandma’s for tea.”
Tea parties, princess parties and fairy parties will be the staple offerings for Coe’s younger clients. Geared towards ages 4 to 10 years old, they each allow the party-goers to dress-up, do a craft and have “tea” (often chocolate milk or lemonade) using real china and linens. Coe also teaches the girls manners and formal dining etiquette.
“I wanted to give something to the girls for a birthday party that didn’t concentrate on them being all grown up,” she said. “I wanted to give them something innocent, sweet, and fun and special.”
For those girls that are a bit older, Coe offers “tween” party themes including spa makeovers, where guests make their own facial treatments, yoga parties and diva parties, complete with a walk down the red carpet.
Besides hosting parties at the new location, Coe will continue to do parties in people’s homes including her popular cooking classes where children make their own pizza dough. She also does party themes popular with boys such as jungle parties, dinosaur parties and wizard parties for those Harry Potter fans.
Coe coordinates everything including set-up, gift opening, favors and clean-up.
“You’re really hiring your own personal party planner,” she said. “The people that have had a party with me absolutely adore it. You don’t have to go to the big box birthday store. You don’t have to do the same thing over and over. Our slogan is ‘If you can dream it up, we can make it happen.’”
In addition to birthday parties, the new location will also allow Coe to host other special events for children. A free toddler story time will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday July 24. A teddy bear tea is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday July 25 and a Mommy & Me tea will be held at 6 p.m. Tuesday July 31.
Future events include a make-your-own teddy bear tea, holiday-themed activities, “charm school” classes to teach formal etiquette and “princess powder hours,” which provide for exclusive use of the shop for a personal princess transformation.
“The sky’s the limit,” Coe said, whose Baldwinsville roots run deep. Her parents used to own the former Hannon’s Country Inn (now Kowalski’s) in Seneca Knolls and she herself has been in the restaurant business her whole life. Coe said having her own business in the Baldwinsville community is a dream come true.
“The response that I’ve had is overwhelming. The Baldwinsville community is amazing. It’s why I live here.”
An open house will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday (July 7) in conjunction with Seneca River Days. In addition to seeing the new shop, visitors can make a craft and receive information about upcoming events and party discounts. For more details, visit snsparties.com or call 720-6043.
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IT'S NEVER TOO LATE TO LEARN SOME MANNERS.(CNY)(Column)
- From:
- The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
- Date:
- March 31, 2008
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Byline: JEFF KRAMER CONTRIBUTING COLUMNIST
A bevy of formal engagements awaits me this season. I'll be "jester of ceremonies" Friday as the Everson Museum & Skateboard Park kicks off its annual Fine Art & Flowers gala.
My presence is also required April 27 at the Syracuse Area Live Theater (SALT) Awards, which honors anyone sober enough to totter onstage and extract a trophy from the bucket without falling in.
Then comes my annual appearance at the Skaneateles Country Club Mother's Day Brunch, a starchy gathering of Central New York's impeccably bred aristocracy that can be especially tough on the large, bald and ravenous. I'm usually good for at least one faux pas
B'ville's Sugar & Spice hosts anniversary party
Erin Smith 08/13/08
Jacqueline Coe measures her business’ first year success in people.
“I had a wonderful year and I made many new friends, the majority of whom are under four feet tall,” Coe said. “But seriously, I have families that I am watching grow now. It's great!”
Coe is the owner of Sugar & Spice Party Planners, a unique business specializing in children’s parties. Whether hosting a tea party or planning a bear stuffing event, Coe has certainly found her calling.
“I was in the catering and restaurant business for many years,” she said. “At the conclusion of these events and my own children's birthday parties, everyone said I should do it for a living. For a long time I said no because I didn't want to be a caterer. Then I found my niche.”
In her shop, Coe provides a warm, inviting environment. Her bubbly personality and warm smile set visitors of all ages at ease. Sugar & Spice events range from princess parties, in which children dress up in a variety of fancy clothing and jewelry offered at her shop in Baldwinsville, to etiquette parties where grandmothers, mothers and daughters enjoy a multi-course meal while children and teens simultaneously learn proper manners.
“I get to teach by my rules,” Coe said. “I love to instruct, but I like to do it in a way that is fun. I want to be able to play while teaching as much as possible. I am a kid at heart – I still love all of the crafts and stories.”
‘Playing’ nice with others
Coe saw a future for Sugar & Spice in Baldwinsville, where she resides.
“My house is here and my children go to school here,” she said. “[Baldwinsville] is a progressive small town with many unique businesses and I knew I would be proud to be one of them.”
As director of the Greater Baldwinsville Chamber of Commerce, Coe knows the importance of collaborating with other local businesses and organizations that compliment Sugar & Spice to provide customers with an enhanced experience. For example, she frequently teams up with the Restaurant at Mohegan Manor to offer formal teas and etiquette parties in a restaurant setting.
Coe also works with the Lysander parks and recreation department, the Girl Scout Council and Horse Cents Photography. She is currently working with both the Red Mill Inn and the WinGate Inn for two spa-like events for mothers and their teen daughters. Coe said the Wingate event would feature nail, facial, massage, hair and more services at various stations throughout the hotel. Participants would then enjoy a picnic on blankets with a movie and continental breakfast the next morning.
The Red Mill Inn event would incorporate spa treatments, bear stuffing and wine bottling at Sugar & Spice with an overnight at the Red Mill Inn.
“They are the same concept, but very different events,” Coe said.
One year anniversary
Coe will host an anniversary party this Monday for parents and children alike.
“It is a major milestone these days to be here a year after you opened, and I happen to love birthdays,” Coe said. “I really wanted to thank all of those families that visit me week after week and have let me have the pleasure of hosting their birthday parties. This is truly an honor for me. I also wanted to give people who haven't been in a chance to come on their own terms and see what we have to offer.”
From 6 to 8 p.m. Aug. 18, everyone is invited to a sampling of Sugar & Spice events that regularly take place at the shop including craft stations with visor decorating, fairy dust, sand art and marble painting. Tasty goodies will also be available as guests decorate cupcakes, enjoy treat making and teddy bear picnics. Dress up stations and a character visit will top off the event, which is free to the public.
“We have something for everyone, all ages, boys and girls,” Coe said. “Check out the shop, enjoy crafts, pirate ships . . . play traditional carnival games, get a great deal. Also, all of our Stuff Itz and clothing will be $10 that night. Come enjoy some free summer fun.”
To RSVP (or for more information about Sugar & Spice Party Planners), visit snsparties.com, e-mail Coe at jcoe9@twcny.rr.com or call her at 720-6043. Sugar & Spice is located at 3 Marble St., which is across the street from the Red Mill Inn in the village.
Coe’s three men
Speaking of anniversary celebrations, Coe and her husband Karl just celebrated their 12th anniversary.
The couple has two children. Their oldest is 11-year-old Sean, who graduated from Elden Elementary and will be attending Ray this fall.
“[Sean] is my best marketer,” Coe said. “He talks about his mom's business whenever he gets the chance.”
Patrick, 8, is their youngest son and, according to mom, is the man in charge of pulling the weeds.
“My entire family and all of my friends have been instrumental in my success,” Coe said. “They are always there when I need them.”
While it is only her first year, it has been a successful one for Coe with Sugar & Spice expanding to offer manners classes for children, formal teas for ladies groups and bridal and baby showers. Sugar & Spice also offers a small retail section with animal stuffing kits, clothing and accessories in the store and online.
“I truly love what I do,” Coe said. “When I hear a voice call Miss Jacki I instantly smile and look for the little one who said it.”
CATEGORY: Small Business
EDITION: Baldwinsville Messenger
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