NORWICH – A gathering of area entrepreneurs and small businesses descended upon the loft at The Label Gallery much like the first delicate snowfall of the holiday season.

The second incarnation of “Ladies Day Out: All I Want for Christmas,” an event geared toward capturing the essence of shopping locally for the holiday season, was a “huge success” according to organizer and host Donna Purdy of Norwich.

“27 vendors and well over 200 guests attended the event, many of them stayed for much of the day which indicates to me that we managed to what we set out to do,” said Purdy.

Purdy, along with Norwich business owner Chris Ulatowski of The Label Gallery, ultimately conceived the idea of a larger gathering to serve as an outlet for home based businesses that do not have the benefit of a brick and mortar storefront.

“Originally some friends of mine were looking to host 'home parties' at my home, which due to size I couldn't accommodate,” said Purdy. “At some point Chris and I had a very long discussion which resulted in him offering up the lobby of his Norwich business – and from there it just took off,” she said.

And take off it did. Soon, Purdy would add nearly 30 vendors to the itinerary which in turn taxed the vast space within Ulatowski's business. The event would eventually be held in a 5,000 square foot renovated loft above The Label Gallery.