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Small business expo celebrates Austintown
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Poland resident George Gabriel traveled with his grandpa to Austintown's Small Business Expo on March 24, to enjoy fun like photos with the Easter Bunny.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Springfield Relay for Life group "Team Dian" were welcomed to the Small Business Expo on March 24 and sold raffle tickets to support their fundraising for the American Cancer Society. The team, which included Dar Emerson (left), Cindy Huffstetler, and Mickey Pitzer, said that the appreciated the chance to network with local businesses during the event.
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Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Business owner Marye Kay Erickson (center), a wedding specialist for Center of Attention centerpiece and floral designs, networked with area business owners and potential customers at the March 24 Small Business Expo in Austintown.
By SARAH FOOR
Austintown residents lent their support to the Main Street Chamber’s Small Business Expo at Austintown Middle School on March 24.
Joe Wrenn, president of the Mahoning Valley Main Street Chamber organization, said the event achieved its goal of offering networking opportunities while showcasing small businesses in the area.
“We sold out all of our spots and are welcoming over 100 vendors to the event today, and actually, already looking ahead to next year. We’ll definitely be growing and changing, but we plan on being a staple here in Austintown for many years to come,” Wrenn said.
The event featured vendors of bridal, craft, home and garden, and sportsman goods, as well as displays for many local community projects.
Austintown Middle School’s auditorium was designated as a children’s area of the event. There, kids could take photos with the Easter Bunny, as well as enjoy an Easter egg hunt and inflatable activity areas from Austintown Bounce.
Austintown resident Kim Shoman watched her granddaughter Gianna Shoman enjoy an inflatable bounce castle. Kim Shoman said she appreciated that the event was about supporting Austintown.
“It’s great to see so many local businesses at the event today. My husband and I have worked here for years, my kids live here and my grandchildren attend Austintown schools, so I think it’s really wonderful to support businesses that operate right here,” she said.
Relay for Life participants “Team Dian” from Springfield were offered space during the expo to help fundraise for this year’s American Cancer Society event.
Team leader Dar Emerson said his team hopes to raise $10,000 this year and that the Small Business Expo was a great opportunity to do so.
“These are the people we usually talk to independently as we look for funding to benefit the Relay, so we’ve loved networking with local businesses. It’s a wonderful opportunity to help raise money for cancer research,” Emerson said.