Mary and Angelo Vayas are pillars of the Maplewood Village retail community — and beyond — as owners of the Village Trattoria restaurants and No. 165. When Angelo was diagnosed with a brain tumor in August 2013, many were concerned and wanted to rally around the Vayases.
On Thursday, the community showed great support and affection for the Vayas family with a huge turnout for a Hobo trunk show and storewide sale to raise funds for brain tumor awareness and research at No. 165.
A constant flow of friends and customers — including one who told Mary Vayas that she was a brain cancer survivor and another whose father had recently succumbed to brain cancer — came to participate and contribute as 20% of all sales went to the American Brain Tumor Association. Other retailers contributed to the event as well: Julie Pauly of The Able Baker donated cookies and Sid Patel of Village Wine Shop supplied wine.
Many visitors were attracted to the Hobo “Zacasha Beads” which are meant to bring good luck and to keep you safe.
If you missed the event tonight, look for the Vayases on an upcoming episode of Dr. Oz where the doctor will reportedly start a challenge similar to the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge in support of Brain Cancer Awareness.
Meanwhile, enjoy a gallery of images from the event. Click on any photo to start the slideshow:
