Networking in the community
Township of South Stormont fire prevention and public
education officer Nick MacGillivray and firefighter Ty Kinstler manned the booth for the South Stormont Fire Services. From left, MacGillivray, organizer Julie Whalley and Kinstler. Sawyer Helmer photo
LONG SAULT — The SDG Small Business Trade Show held its fourth annual event at the South Stormont municipal building in Long Sault on Sat., May 18.
Organizer, Julie Whalley of Britannia Gifts said each year the show sees about 150 people come through and yet a lot of the appeal is from the vendors themselves. “The vendors are very supportive of each other. It is a real community of vendors,” said Whalley.
Whalley said there were 18 returning vendors and 12 new. All in all, only two vendors came from out of the local SDG area.
Whalley also has a full-time job working for Canada Homestay but enjoys her small business, building traffic and community and giving vendors a place to network. “I intend to carry it on as long as people are willing to participate,” she said.
Vendors had a lot of items for visitors to try including some free Father’s Day items, goody bags for the kids and a fundraiser lunch hosted by the South Stormont Foundation. The organization was responsible for the Ingleside Splash Pad last year and this year the group is working toward equipment upgrades at the RO School. During the show, the Foundation held a pancake breakfast, breakfast sandwich sale and lunches.
