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Chamber’s showcase highlights businesses
By Kalea Hall
BOARDMAN
Custom apparel, banking and food were just some of the industries represented by more than 60 businesses at the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber’s Business Showcase Thursday.
Businesses packed Mr. Anthony’s in Boardman to share what they offer with other businesses and consumers.
Jack Kravitz, president and chief executive officer of Kravitz Deli, used the showcase to introduce his catering business, Inspired Catering.
“We are rebranding our catering services,” Kravitz said. “We are trying to get the word out that we are multifaceted, not just corned beef.”
The business showcase has helped businesses network their services for about two decades.
“It is one of our signature events,” said Kim Calvert, the chamber’s vice president of marketing and business services.
Through the years, the chamber has changed up the event to grab attention from more businesses.
The showcase started Thursday morning with a networking brunch, followed by a business showcase, then a showcase after hours with a “For the Love of Bacon” contest and “Battle of Breweries.”
Local businesses kept the center stage interesting with a wine-tasting hosted by Cork & Cap Bottle Shop & Tasting Room, a painting demonstration by Wonderstruck Market Paint Party Demo and a fashion show by Trendy Trousseau and Chic Chateau.
Dana Marucci of Afterburner FX in Hubbard brought an embroidery machine to show businesses and consumers what Afterburner offers.
“We joined the chamber, and it seemed like a good opportunity,” Marucci said. “We figured it would be a good chance for our name to get out.”
Afterburner has been in business for more than 20 years and has wholesale and retail business locally and outside the area. It offers embroidery, screen printing, vehicle graphics, signs, banners and displays and other services.
“Our local business is as large as our national business,” Marucci said.
The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County was showcasing what the library offers businesses. Outside of books, there are e-books and a list of references to help businesses find specific information on demographics of the area and investing, for example.
“We want to help local businesses to keep them relevant,” said Stuart Gibbs, business librarian. “We are here to support our local economy.”
Any library has the resources to help local businesses, but the library’s Business and Investment Center is at the main library, 305 Wick Ave. in Youngstown.
Businesses “can get this free with a public library,” Gibbs said.