Expo showcases area businesses and restaurants

By: PATTI MAGEE - Staff Writer | Friday, October 28, 2005 12:06 PM PDT ∞

VISTA ---- Sara Verdick set up a booth at last year's Vista Chamber of Commerce Business Expo to spread the word about her business, Sinbah's Dog House, a pet-supply specialty store she had opened a few months earlier.

The exposure brought her a lot of business, she said, and she's returning to this year's event to continue to get the word out ---- as well as to have a good time mingling with other business owners and community residents.

"This year I want to have fun," Verdick said. "I enjoy walking around and introducing myself."

The 2005 Business Expo and Taste of Vista is set for 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at a new site, 1725 Hacienda Drive, adjacent to Bedrosians Tile and Marble. The expo was previously held in the city's business park.

Last year, about 500 people turned out to check out the nearly 80 businesses that participated.

"It was our biggest business-to-business event last year," said Jim Baumann, executive director of the Vista Chamber of Commerce. "There were a lot of happy faces that day."

Baumann said the "intent of the expo is to allow businesses to network with one another and show off the kind of businesses we have to the general public."

This year's location ---- off Highway 78, and a stone's throw from stores such as Circuit City and Costco ---- is more visible and offers better parking, he added. The expo is sponsored by Staples.

A new feature this year will be a pavilion where technology-related businesses will be set up together, Baumann said.

He said he is amazed by the variety of businesses and services available in Vista.

"We have a company that does embroidery on shirts, one offering doggie day care, a cruise company, an acupuncturist, a chiropractor and a business counselor."

Baumann said the expo is popular with merchants, as well as consumers.

"People will be able to talk to a lot of business owners in a short period of time in a contained area," he said. "Many will have brochures, giveaways and drawings for prizes."

Visitors also will be able to enter a free, chamber-sponsored drawing to win a color television.

People won't leave hungry either. The $5 admission charge includes the opportunity to sample food from more than half a dozen restaurants, including Piancone Italian Deli, Chipotle Mexican Grill and Hennessy's Tavern.

Leroy Tardy, owner of Hennessy's Tavern, said he plans to offer mini corned beef sandwiches. He participated in last year's expo, as he was getting ready to open his new restaurant on Main Street in the heart of downtown Vista.

Tardy said he is looking forward to returning to this year's expo.

"It went well (last year)," he said. "I got to meet a lot of people. I like to stay connected and talk to people. It's also a good way to support the chamber."

For more information about the event, call the chamber office at (760) 726-1122.

Contact staff writer Patti Magee at (760) 731-5797 or pmagee@nctimes.com.

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