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UPDATE 01/25/2021:

A check for more than $29,000 was presented to the Boys and Girls Club of Kingsville on Monday, thanks to the proceeds raised during the Kingsville Wine Walk Holiday Sip and Shop.

Kingsville Tourism Director Janine Reyes, along with a representative from Big House Burgers and Brad Womack, CEO from Kleberg Bank, presented the check to Director of Operations Jill Seals, from the BGCK.

Reyes thanked all those who participated in the three-weekend event, including the downtown stores, restaurants and vendors, before she delivered the check.

The total funds raised from the event sales was $29,192.81, and will all directly impact operations at the BGCK.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Although the Christmas season has come and gone, Historic Downtown Kingsville was lit up in more than Christmas lights over the month of December, as the Wine Walk Holiday Sip and Shop welcomed visitors near and far to the area.

The event - which took place on Dec. 5th, 12th, and 19th – was an opportunity for visitors to shop in downtown Kingsville while tasting a variety of wines, beer, rum, and some non-alcoholic beverages.

The wine walk also served as a fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club of Kingsville, as all the net proceeds from passport purchases went directly to the club.

City of Kingsville Director of Tourism Janine Reyes said the three-weekend event was “absolutely” a success.

“Our goal was about 300 (participants) each weekend,” she said. “We made about 300 the first weekend, we went just a little bit over the second weekend – although some of (the participants) may not have been here actually in attendance, but as far as sales went, we hit the mark. And then the third weekend was a little bit lower, however there is still plenty of people here.

“It’s going to end up being a pretty good fundraiser for the Boys and Girls Club,” she added.

BGCK Chief Executive Officer John Perez said before the event, the goal for the fundraiser was to eclipse $25,000.

“(We) might be pretty close, it’s safe to say,” Perez said.  

A total amount of raised money is unlikely to be counted by the turn of the new year, Reyes said.

She added that revenue made by local businesses located downtown who participated in the event will also not be available until after the new year.

Despite the total numbers still being accounted for, a few of the businesses who participated in the event were excited about the turnout they received from the wine walk.

Paige Clement, owner of “Fleur to Door” pop up flower shop, said she was thankful to be included in the wine walk to help her gain exposure in her hometown.

Her arrangements are made of real flowers that are preserved to last up to a year or more and everything is custom made based on the customers preferences.

Clement opened her business in June of 2020 to “provide a little color and cheer during these difficult times.”

“I also loved sharing my space with my sister and brother-in-law Tristin and Allen Hibler of Hibler Bronze Company(…) It was a fun event,” Clement said. “We would love to partake in any other events that benefit the community. I believe it was a great event for Kingsville and South Texas.”

The Novel Blend Book Store owner Tom DiFrancesca said the event seemed to be “an absolute success,” despite feeling iffy about the turnout of the event.

“I compared our sales to the ranch hand breakfast last year, because that's about the only thing I had to reference it to and we did as well (as last year),” he said.

DiFrancesca then compared the sales from second week and compared it to the Christmas parade and said the sales numbers were also about the same. On the final night of the event however, the business did better than both other nights. Collectively, he said it was the best month they had all year.

“We had days where five dollars is what we made all day and so we were disappointed when they announced the cancellation of the parade and the ranch hand because we were counting on that money to get us through the rest of the year,” DiFrancesca said. “And so we were really worried that we weren't going to make it. And then when they announced that they were going to do (the wine walk), and I thought ‘well, there's some hope.’ And this will keep us open for another couple of months. So, we're thankful and we appreciate everyone at the city that helped and set this up.”

Reyes said because of the turnout, and the interest from out-of-town visitors, there is a possibility the event can take place again in the future.

“I will tell you, when we built this, initially, we said this is going to be a one and done,” Reyes said. “It's a lot of work. But that being said, we've kind of got a system built now. So, there is thought to doing this in conjunction with ranch hand weekend, maybe the Friday of the tree lighting, perhaps also for La Posada. And we had some very initial discussions to possibly do something monthly, and we’d be happy to help.”