Submitted Photos A recent small business expo at Valley Outdoors in Cassadaga was well attended.
Earlier this month, businesses and entrepreneurs from across the village of Cassadaga visited a small business expo at Valley Outdoors. The event was hosted by the Cassadaga Community and Business Alliance, in conjunction with the Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College.
The event featured vendors from around the community, as well as prospective business owners and consumers, all gathered for an afternoon at Valley Outdoors, located at 16 S. Main St., in Cassadaga. Valley Outdoors also recently became host to the newly established Village Welcome Center.
“Thanks to everyone for a fun and successful small business pop-up event in Cassadaga Lakes.” said Cassadaga Community and Business Alliance founder Kim Collins. “We were so excited to join forces with the Jamestown Small Business Development Center to bring this amazing opportunity to our area and our brand new Welcome Center!”
Current and prospective business owners were encouraged to attend to learn about support services offered by local county, public and private organizations, such as the Small Business Development Center, offering small business consulting services, free of charge, to help entrepreneurs to start and develop their business.
Cassadaga Community and Business Alliance members Susan Asquith, left, and Deborah Metzger, right, are pictured at a recent small business expo at Valley Outdoors in Cassadaga.
In addition to the Small Business Development Center, other organizations represented at the event were the Small Business Administration, Pursuit Lending, Southern Tier West, Laine Business Accelerator, Chautauqua County and Chautauqua County IDA, Chautauqua Workforce Development Board and Chautauqua Opportunities. The event also featured food from Super Duper Catering and drinks from Taylor & Tonic.
“It was such a positive event. Blessed with wonderful weather, great food and drink and a sense of shared enthusiasm for supporting businesses,” said Cassadaga resident Judith Garntzarek.
Cassadaga Community and Business Alliance founding member Susan Asquith headlined the event “great success.” She thanked Courtney Curatolo and her team at the Small Business Development Center for their efforts. Asquith and Curatolo came up with the idea for the event because they work together on the Chautauqua County Planning Board.
“It was an amazing venue and host, CCBA team members, enthusiastic business owners, fun food and beverage vendors, friends, family and others who came together under sunny skies to benefit the community. This is the activity we need to focus on to help our residents, businesses and visitors thrive.” said Asquith.
Submitted photo Cassadaga resident Rudy Abersold and Village Board member Dana DuBois are pictured at a recent small business expo at Valley Outdoors in Cassadaga.
