The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Great Lakes Mall hosts annual Home and Lifestyle Expo
Vendors and business owners from all over Lake County lined the corridors at Great Lakes Mall in Mentor, March 4 for the 17th annual Lake County Chambers of Commerce Home and Life Expo.
Over 60 businesses participated in this year’s expo.
“We have 11 new vendors, 11 new chamber
members to join us, that’s exciting,” said Karen Tercek, President and CEO of the Western Lake County Chamber of Commerce.
Tercek stated that this year the vendors appear to be more optimistic.
The expo, according to a ProMark Enterprise media statement is to help with vendors choices as warmer weather approaches and home updates move to the top of to-do list for homeowners.
Linda Reed, director for Eastern Lake County Chamber of Commerce feels this a great event that is beneficial to chamber members.
“We work really hard in planning this event for our members,” Reed stated. “We feel it is important for venders to get outside their businesses for some face time with people and this (Great Lakes Mall) is a great venue for them to that.”
Al DiFranco, President and CEO of Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce sees the event as a great collaboration that is beneficial to the mall, the vendors and the public.
“It provides mutual benefits as it brings traffic to the mall and in turn brings traffic to the vendors,” DiFranco said.
Business owners from a variety of business were set to speak with potential customers and provide suggestions for home improvements.
Attendees at the event were able to speak with experts such as contractors, remodelers, designers, real estate agents and more to find solutions or ideas for home remodeling, improvement, gardening and also with financial and lifestyle improvements.
Participating vendors had multiple reasons for their participation.
Keith Coch and Rob Stevenson, owners of Caprica Homes, participated in the event for the first time in hopes of getting new business and exposing the Caprica Homes name to the public.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore not only wanted to make people aware of the new location on Vine St. in Eastlake but also to recruit volunteers, shoppers and donations, Michele Ebert, Dispatcher for the ReStore said.
“We put on a booth for general education and to answer questions,” Pat Pryatel, customer service outreach for LakeTran stated.
Martin’s Nursery, WLLCC Business of the Year winner and first time participant in the expo is participating because this is the time of year the business takes off for them, according to owner Laurie Martin.
“We have had a lot of people interested and making appointments,” she said.
Nina McLaughlin, who tries to attend the event yearly as a consumer, comes for the fun of it and to see what ideas she can find for her home.
“The vendors are all very friendly and informative,” she said.
Something new added to the expo this year is the ability to create fairy gardens for a cost of $5.00. Leadership Lake County is hosting this activity with all funds raised going to help purchase school supplies for Lake County families in need.
There is also the chance to win by raffle a beach house themed playhouse built by the students at Auburn Career Center.
Entertainment and presentations were also part of the event.
Designers for YMCA Dream house were on hand to offer decorating tips, while the Chagrin River Watershed Partners and Lake Soil and Conservation District provided information on making home rain barrels.
The event also held a fashion show featuring Leadership Lake County models.
The Home and Lifestyle Expo is a two day event March 4 to March 5 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
The first 250 attendees both days receive a free gift bag, which can be picked up by the mall food court and any attendees over the age of 21 can enter the raffle for a $500 mall gift card.
The event is free to the public and produced by the Lake County Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by many local companies.