AHS athletes walk in the ‘Winter Wonderland’ fashion show

Madeleine Eades, owner of Coco+Oak, is president of the Alton Athletic Association. About a dozen Alton High School athletes will walk the runway. The Eades’ daughter, Scarlett Eades, is a sophomore at AHS and a three-sport athlete in tennis, soccer and basketball.

“I thought it would be fun to include the athletes,” Eades said.

Proceeds from the fashion show and a portion of the profits from the shopping event will go to the Alton Crisis Food Center.

Tickets for Winter Wonderland are $25 per person. There will be a cash bar and food available for purchase.

Coco+Oak is currently available online at www.cocoandoak.com or on its Facebook page. Eades plans to host a Coco+Oak brick-and-mortar store in the Three Charm Chicks building at 219 William St. in the spring, Eades said, with Three Charm Chicks moving next door.

Dorsey Eades is a good friend of Lovejoy’s husband, Russ Smith. She said she was encouraged by Smith to open a brick-and-mortar boutique in downtown Alton.

“He said I should be downtown,” she recalls. “I love Alton and the historic buildings. Then he gave me a place to do this fashion show.

“I thought it would be a great way to showcase Coco+Oak coming downtown, show off what I have, and raise money and donate to the Alton Crisis Food Center.”

Coco+Oak Jr. carries women’s fashion, and occasionally men’s or children’s items.

“When I open a brick-and-mortar, I hope to have a variety of items,” Eades said.

Before the outbreak, Eades worked in sales and marketing for Ashley Furniture. Once Covid-19 hit, she started her own business, Coco+Ok, three years ago.

“I took $1,000 and bought a shelf to see what would happen,” she recalls. “It’s been growing, and I’m seeing a lot of growth. I run the Grafton Flea Market and pop-up shops, so that inspired me to open a brick and mortar store.

For more information visit www.cocoandoak.com.