By Mary Owen
The Stayton/Sublimity Chamber of Commerce is replacing its trademark Santiam Marketplace event this month with its first Discover Local Business Expo.
“We wanted to retool the event to keep the focus on the local area businesses,” said Elaina Turpin, SSCOC’s assistant director. “Local shopping is becoming more of a trend as people place value on the economic vitality of the communities they live in. People are also searching for local treasures and product diversity that you would not find in a big-box store. This event gives the public a chance to see that we have a healthy, thriving, diverse business community with excellent products, services and prices.”
More than 100 vendors are expected at the expo, which takes place Friday, March 15, 1 to 7 p.m. on at Stayton Middle School. Admission is free with one can of food to benefit the Stayton Food Bank.
“After last year’s event, we sent out surveys and heard back that the day Marketplace had been on had several scheduling conflicts,” Turpin said. “The vendors wanted to keep their Saturdays free to spend time with their families. Also some of the larger businesses had trouble finding employees who would be willing to work on a Saturday.”
Kurt Hueller, a certified remodeler with Hueller Construction, will be sharing the company’s new website and talking to people about remodeling their home. “We have done this show for several years,” he said. “Clients and friends in the area look forward to seeing us there.”
Jason Burns said Focus Heating will be showcasing Dakin ductless mini-split technology. Of participating in the expo, he said, “We get a low-key interaction with people in our own community in a fun, no-stress atmosphere.”
“We plan to bring vegetable starts, seeds, berry plants and, of course, flowering annuals,” said Nancy Hendricks, co-owner of Fresh to You Produce & Garden Center in Stayton. “We will be bringing a sample of our specialty foods – oatmeal, salsa, salad dressing, pasta sauces, dried bean, flour.”
Hendricks hopes to introduce people to the store, emphasizing its “All Things Edible – Growing – Eating – Preserving” identity.
“We are really focusing our business this year on the fact that we are the edible gardening, cooking and preserving experts,” she said. “We also just started carrying Umpqua dairy products, so we will be promoting that as well.”
Hendricks will be signing up people for Fresh to You’s CSA weekly produce box program for a discounted price at the expo.
According to Turpin, MasterCraft furniture will have a sample sale; the Stayton Police Department will sell food throughout the day as a fundraiser for a K9 unit; Stayton Middle School students will host a book fair; and Stayton High School students will display their artwork. Additions to this year’s event include a treasure hunt, with businesses marked in gold on a map for visitors to get stamped for a chance to win cash prizes, Turpin said.
“All vendors will be providing a door prize, and we’ve had some great ones come in,” she said. “Lakeside Assisted Living will be giving away a flat screen TV, and KYKN has a half-price Salem shopping spree valued at $100.”
Turpin said door prizes will be drawn every half hour, and people don’t have to be present to win.
“You are sure to find some fun samples and goodies,” she said. “Our title sponsor, West Coast Bank, will be handing out bags to hold all your treasures.”
Turpin hopes those who attend the event will come away with a greater appreciation for everything the area has to offer. “They may be surprised that there is more available than they had ever thought of,” she said.
For information, visit www.staytonsublimitychamber.org or call 503-769-3464.
