Top It Off Wins Boston Main Streets Window Contest

Top It Off co-owner Elizabeth Hoenscheid put a shawl on Boston Mayor Thomas Menino. The Mayor smiled and let it be known that he's not the kind of guy who wears red shawls. 

Minutes before, Menino awarded first place to for winning the Deck the Windows of Boston Main Streets contest. The contest took place in Boston's 18 Main Streets districts, with more than 350 small businesses decorating their windows, with the winner being chosen .

In a quick ceremony emceed by Janet Wu, Top It Off was crowned the champion of the contest. Hoenscheid received a plaque for the storefront display. She spoke about the window before the ceremony.

"The inspiration was this dress," said Hoenscheid, pointing to a red dress designed by Top It Off employee Ashley Boiardi, which one an award itself in the Project Beethoven fashion contest. The window was designed by Top It Off employees Amanda Andre and Brittany Peavey, said Hoenscheid.

"The idea is that we are all about perfect gifts," she added, like the wraps, bags, and jewelry sold at the store at 162 Spring St.

Peavey said that since they decorated the window more people have been coming in after driving by and seeing the lit-up storefront. Peavey is the wholesale manager for Top It Off, which started in Hoenscheid's West Roxbury home in 2003, by making ribbon bells on her dining room table.

And only earlier this year and now they've won a Boston wide contest. "We are excited and thrilled to be in West Roxbury and amongst such a great group of windows sparkling up the city," said Hoenscheid.