A Night in Bloom: The Sausalito Guide Launch Party
- Jon Hite
- Feb 3
- 5 min read
Spring arrived in Sausalito not with fanfare, but with fragrance.
On a luminous evening overlooking the harbor, where sail masts traced quiet lines against the sky and the hills softened into dusk, HAUS of HITE welcomed the community to celebrate the launch of The Sausalito Guide. Hosted in the Junto Room at Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, the gathering unfolded like a carefully composed symphony of light, texture, sound, and story.
From the first step inside, guests were met with an atmosphere that felt both intimate and expansive. Sunlight spilled through glass walls, glancing off polished wood ceilings and floating lanterns, while white-draped cocktail tables stood like sculptural punctuation marks across the room. Beyond them, the bay stretched outward, infinite and inviting.
Outside, boats rested in their slips. Inside, a new chapter was beginning.
The Scent of Spring
The sensory journey began with scent.
Soft notes of eucalyptus mingled with bright citrus, drifting through the room like a whisper of renewal. Lemons, tucked into arrangements and echoed in cocktails, symbolized clarity and energy. Eucalyptus offered grounding and calm. Together, they formed the aromatic backbone of the evening, an intentional nod to spring’s promise of growth, rebirth, and possibility.
These elements were thoughtfully curated by Arielle Madilian, owner of The Marin Merchant and stylist for the evening. With her signature balance of restraint and romance, Arielle transformed the space into something quietly transportive. Nothing shouted. Everything resonated.
Glass vessels held modest floral compositions. Greenery softened clean lines. Citrus glowed against linen. Each detail felt placed with purpose, inviting guests to slow down, breathe in, and be fully present.
A Toast to Place: The Sausalito Buzz
As daylight softened into gold, Deborah unveiled the evening’s signature creation:
The Sausalito Buzz.
Served in elegant coupe glasses, the cocktail shimmered in soft shades of violet and rose. A delicate sugared rim, flecked with herbs, framed the drink. Floating citrus slices caught the light. A sprig of lavender leaned gently across the surface.
The ingredients read like poetry:
Vodka.
Limoncello.
Elderflower and butterfly syrup.
Fresh lemon juice.
A Prosecco Float.
Crisp. Floral. Bright. Effervescent.
Each sip mirrored the evening itself: refreshing yet layered, rooted in place yet forward-looking. It was not simply a drink. It was an edible narrative, crafted to celebrate Sausalito’s coastal spirit and creative pulse.
A Gathering of Voices
As the sky began its evening performance, the guest list formed its own constellation.
Business owners, artists, restaurateurs, historians, and innovators mingled effortlessly, bridging generations and disciplines. Longtime pillars of the community stood beside new entrepreneurs, united by shared pride in the city they call home.
Among those in attendance were representatives from Hook House, Gallery Sausalito, Poggio & Copita, Inn Above Tide, Seaplane & Aero Adventures, Tivoli Decor, Dynamic Energy Crystals, Sea Trek, Tile Fever, Waterfront Wonders, Captain Kirk Sailing, Karl the Store, Slice of Sausalito, the Sausalito Historical Society, Gene Hiller Menswear, and many more.
Civic and cultural leaders joined the celebration, alongside artists, storytellers, and advocates for the town’s future. It was a guest list that reflected the guide itself: layered, thoughtful, and deeply rooted in community.
Conversations flowed easily. Laughter rose and softened. Glasses chimed gently in passing. A curated playlist drifted through the room, anchoring the evening in mood and movement.
Together, the sounds formed a living soundtrack of connection.
Taste, Texture, and Tradition
Along the walls, an elegant spread awaited.
Locally sourced cheeses and cured meats rested beside vibrant fruit, arranged with equal attention to flavor and form. Citrus segments glowed like small suns. Kiwi, melon, grapes, and figs added color and sweetness. Each bite balanced richness with freshness.
Provided by Venice Delicatessen, the offerings honored tradition while embracing modern presentation. Guests grazed thoughtfully, pairing textures and tastes, lingering over conversation as much as cuisine.
Food, here, was not filler. It was another chapter in the story.
When Night Takes the Stage
As the sun slipped behind the Sausalito hills, the atmosphere shifted.
Across the water, Tiburon, Angel Island, Alcatraz, and San Francisco began to glow. Lights flickered on, one by one, until the bay resembled a living constellation. Inside, warm illumination deepened. Shadows softened. The room felt suspended between earth and sky.
Salt air drifted in through open doors. Lemon and eucalyptus lingered. The hum of conversation grew richer, more animated.
The party had found its rhythm.
Art, Anticipation, and Applause
At the heart of the evening was a shared moment of anticipation.
Guests were invited to enter a raffle for the grand prize: an original artwork created in collaboration between HAUS of HITE and artist Skye Schuchman. The piece, inspired by the map featured within the guide, was framed in a sleek black frame with a recessed matte, equal parts contemporary and timeless.
When Jon Hite, Founder and Creative Director of HAUS of HITE, took the floor, the room quieted.
He spoke of gratitude. Of community. Of storytelling. Of why this guide mattered.
Then came the draw.
With Skye pulling the ticket and Bridget Hook reading the number, the winning entry was announced: Michael Rose, partner of Wayne Kaleck of Gene Hiller Menswear. The artwork would soon find its home in the front window at 729 Bridgeway, where it would continue the story for passersby.
Applause followed. Smiles lingered. A shared sense of celebration rippled outward.
For those inspired, additional limited works are available at SkyeSchuchman.com and at Karl the Store.
The Story Behind the Story
Every guide has an origin.
This one began a year earlier, in May of 2024, with a chance encounter in Bridget Hook’s shop. A conversation. An exchange of Instagram handles. Messages sent from a tent along the Pacific Crest Trail. A reunion brunch at Suzette. A friendship formed across miles and seasons.
From that thread grew a vision.
A publication built not simply on listings, but on human stories. On heritage and innovation. On memory and momentum. On the belief that a town is defined not by its buildings, but by the people who breathe life into them.
The Sausalito Guide was born from that belief.
Gratitude and Looking Forward
As the evening drew to a close, thanks were extended to those who made it possible.
To The Marin Merchant, for styling a space that felt like a living mood board of spring.
To Casa Madrona Hotel & Spa, for hosting in the extraordinary Junto Room.
To Poggio and Deborah Wiegmann, for staffing and crafting a cocktail that captured the spirit of the night.
To the Sausalito Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Sausalito Association, their leadership and contributions to this monumental project.
To Kass Green, Amy Svendberg, Daryl Niemerow, Sue Averell, Aaron Singer, and countless contributors.
And especially to Bridget Hook, whose connection helped bring this vision full circle.
It was a collective effort. A shared achievement.
A Night That Lingers
Long after the final glass was set down and the last guest departed, the evening remained.
In memory.
In scent.
In sound.
In story.
The Sausalito Launch Party was more than a celebration. It was a declaration.
Of community.
Of creativity.
Of continuity.
Of courage.
It honored the past, illuminated the present, and pointed confidently toward the future.
And as HAUS of HITE continues to connect with the people and places that shape this extraordinary town, one truth remains clear:
Sausalito’s story is still unfolding.
And it has never looked brighter.
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