MIDDLEBURY, Ind. (Oct. 15, 2025) – Three days of fashion, food, and fun are beginning at Essenhaus.
The village shops today are hosting the first of three holiday Home and Fashion Shows, continuing a 25-year-old tradition that has spread from Middlebury to Sugarcreek, Bellville, Plain City, and Sarasota.
“It actually started with Sue Miller and Gail Levengood at the Essenhaus, and it did so well there that we brought it over to Ohio and then Florida,” explained Erin Doudna, director of retail operations for Dutchman Hospitality Group.
Fashion shows at Essenhaus continue through Thursday. Tickets remain available and can be purchased from the Village Shops, by phone at 800-455-9471, and online at Essenhaus.com.
Other DHG fashion show dates and locations are:
- Oct. 20-21: Carlisle Gifts Plain City Fall Gathering – 445 Jefferson Ave., Plain City, OH 43064, Ph: 614-873-1332, carlislegiftsplaincity.com
- Oct. 28: Carlisle Gifts Bellville Fall Gathering – 720 OH-97, Bellville, OH 44813, Ph: 419-886-7080
- Nov. 5-6: Carlisle Gifts Sarasota presents A Very Cardinal Christmas – 3713 Bahia Vista St, Sarasota, FL 34232, Ph: 941-955-4009, dhgroup.com/shops/carlisle-gifts-sarasota/
- Nov. 18: Dutch Valley Gifts Fall Gathering – 1367 Old Route 39 NE, Sugarcreek, OH 44681, Ph: 330-852-4926, dutchvalleygifts.com
Each event will feature stylish outfits on the runway, home decorating tips, and a catered lunch of Amish Kitchen Cooking favorites.
“What I love about the runway shows is these aren’t New York super models being fierce and stompin’ it out,” said Doudna. “These are everyday women. Some are guests who have come to our shows and expressed interest in being models. A lot of them are employees and employees’ friends, granddaughters, grandmas, siblings, mom and daughters.”
There are also giveaways and exclusive deals for attendees, who will receive a gift and a coupon to use that day.
“At the end of the day the thing that makes the show come together the most is the fellowship that we have together. We pray together. We eat together. We laugh together. Sometimes, moments get emotional, and we cry together.”