Named after Cuban-born, Miami-reared Eddie Rodriguez, the Eddie Rodriguez retail store brought an energetic and refreshing new shopping experience to Dadeland Mall in Kendall. The Cuban-inspired lifestyle store—featuring clothing, accessories and home furnishings—closed its doors to the general mall-walking crowd and welcomed a select group of invitees behind the velvet ropes to shop, dine and dance beyond the store's regular closing time for its grand opening celebration. Planned and promoted by Christy Cal from the Agency Public Relations & Event Specialists, the celebration was more like an impassioned group of amistades and amigos gathering for a good ol' fiesta.
Aside from giving the crowd an incentive to shop by receiving 25 percent off all merchandise—with a percentage of sales to benefit the Amigos for Kids charity—moving and motivating them were undoubtedly the Bacardi-infused mojitos, cafésitos by Pilón Expresso and the salsa and ritmo Latino permeating from the back of the boutique. There, fueling the Cuban exposition was the all-male band Latin Fever Productions providing the rhythm, while Ortanique on the Mile provided plenty more than salsa with empanadas and pulled pork tapas.
Beyond the store's main entrance—where Don Andres Cigars stationed his hand-rolled cigar booth—Sound Resources & Technologies production company constructed a performance platform complete with piping and draping, stage lighting and massive sound speakers. Guarded by mall security and uniformed Miami police officers, the stage setup was the setting where Latina diva Albita was to perform. Moving the crowd out of the store for the mini-concert was no small feat, but once the music started blaring the mob inside knew exactly what to do. Form a conga line, shake your bon-bon and shimmy to the next area to continue the party.
—Jose Gomez
Aside from giving the crowd an incentive to shop by receiving 25 percent off all merchandise—with a percentage of sales to benefit the Amigos for Kids charity—moving and motivating them were undoubtedly the Bacardi-infused mojitos, cafésitos by Pilón Expresso and the salsa and ritmo Latino permeating from the back of the boutique. There, fueling the Cuban exposition was the all-male band Latin Fever Productions providing the rhythm, while Ortanique on the Mile provided plenty more than salsa with empanadas and pulled pork tapas.
Beyond the store's main entrance—where Don Andres Cigars stationed his hand-rolled cigar booth—Sound Resources & Technologies production company constructed a performance platform complete with piping and draping, stage lighting and massive sound speakers. Guarded by mall security and uniformed Miami police officers, the stage setup was the setting where Latina diva Albita was to perform. Moving the crowd out of the store for the mini-concert was no small feat, but once the music started blaring the mob inside knew exactly what to do. Form a conga line, shake your bon-bon and shimmy to the next area to continue the party.
—Jose Gomez