June 25, 2006
 
Long Runway, Old Style Italian Architecture Enhances Bridal Show at Huntington Arcade
 
By Tony Rutherford
Huntington News Network Writer
 
Huntington, WV (HNN) -- “We’re proud of all our girls, they did a terrific job,” beamed Angell Stone, one of the founders of The Arcadia Group, which produced the first annual bridal show at Huntington’s Fourth Avenue Arcade.
 
Approximately 100-150 people attended the event, which included free lasagna from Rocco’s and wedding cake tasting.
 
Utilizing the rear steps as a stage for the initial appearance of models, the “brides” then came down the stairs and walked a blue runway which ran to the front stairway. The long runway gave everyone an opportunity to fully see the gowns.
 
Marsha Phipps, of Merle Norman Cosmetics at Pullman Square, was one of the vendors at the show. “The architecture gave it a look of old style Italy,” she said, adding that the productions came off “very nicely.”
 
Three bridal shops participated in the event. Lara’s Bridal and Formals and Cinderella’s provided their own models while the one’s for Bride Beautiful were “hand picked” by members of the Arcadia Group.
 

Angell Stone, an avid reader of HNN and one of the founders of The Arcadia Group, talks with Richard Mullins, another of the groups founders, outside the HNN office on the Second Floor of the Arcade.
Garrison’s Designs placed a setting that included large candles to the left of the back steps. The master of ceremonies also used that location to describe the gowns, tuxedos, and wedding dresses for the audience.
 
Julie Conner, a Marshall University senior majoring in art education and design, volunteered for the show. She smiles and exclaimed that it went “wonderfully” and that “I can not wait until the Masquerade Ball. I already want to go pick out a dress.”
 
Stone, who formerly taught English at Marshall and worked in publicity for Publisher’s Place, had not been inside the historic building until she started working at Publisher’s. “The Arcade will be terrific once it’s renovated,” she said, adding that Alex Vence, the new owner, has already started painting sections of the building in its original colors.
 
Like other members of Arcadia, she sees a synergy between the University and Downtown. As an example, Stone recalled that the shooting of “We Are Marshall” on the streets “brought people back to Marshall and back to [downtown] Huntington.” Although the traffic has now diminished, she believes the release of the film “will bring traffic back.”
 
Strategically located next to the historic Keith Albee, The Arcadia Group hopes to work in conjunction with the Marshall Artists Series. Last season, a successful pre-ballet buffet was held at the Arcade.
 
“We could actually have a wedding here,” Ms. Stone said, noting that gallery viewings, ballroom dance lessons and afternoon teas just some of the uses. “The possibilities [for The Arcade] are endless.”