SOUTHWICK – The Southwick Economic Development Commission has decided to partner with the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce in order to create first ever Home & Business Community Marketplace event.
Taking place on April 24 from 4:30 until 7 p.m. at the Ranch Golf Club, the event is now open to all nine communities that the Chamber of Commerce serves. This includes Westfield, Southwick, Blandford, Chester, Granville, Huntington, Montgomery, Russell, and Tolland.
Past Home and Business Shows have been at Tucker’s Restaurant and the Southwick Town Hall. (WNG File Photo)
In the previous seven years, the event was only for small businesses in Southwick. For the last few years, the Chamber of Commerce had been assisting the Economic Development Commission and they decided this year that they needed to expand. In the past, the venues have been at Tucker’s Restaurant and the Southwick Town Hall. But, the EDC and the Chamber of Commerce felt that having the show at a larger venue would be much more beneficial.
“With a bigger venue, we can invite businesses from surrounding towns to participate,” said EDC member Michael McMahon.
For last year’s event, there was only enough room for a maximum of 27 small businesses to set up a table. With the Ranch as this year’s host, the maximum number is 75 businesses.
“We were very pleased that they could accommodate this event,” said Kate Phelon, who is the Executive Director of the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce.
A free event to the public, each person attending will be given a shopping bag and also a ticket to vote on the best food vendor that is there. There will also be live music as well as both wine and beer tastings.
Pointing out that very few other organizations in the local area host something like this, Phelon is encouraging the public to come out and experience the event.
“Let’s make this a really cool thing, something different,” said Phelon. “It will be a great experience for the public.”
For the small businesses that are interested in joining, they’ll have an opportunity to not only have their business and products on display, but also sell their products. Each exhibitor will be provided with one chair, an eight and a half by 11-inch sign, and the listing of their business in the event program. The cost for a business to rent the space will be $50. For $75, businesses will receive all of those benefits along with a six-foot table to display their products.
The deadline to register and pay is April 9. Businesses can register by visiting the Home and Business link. Checks can be made payable to the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce.
If anyone has further questions or comments, contact the Greater Westfield Chamber of Commerce at 413-568-1618 or the Southwick EDC at 413-304-6100.
