Southport Magazine

Chef Stephen Phipps of Mr. P’s Bistro dishes out samples of seafood appetizers at a past Coastal Consumer Showcase. Photo courtesy of the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

What: Coastal Consumer Showcase
When: Thurs., March 6th • 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Where: St. James Community Center
4136 Southport-Supply Rd., St. James
Cost: FREE
Info: www.southport-oakisland.com

For the fourth year in a row, the Southport-Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce will host its popular Coastal Consumer Showcase: a display of our local array of businesses, from dentists to florists.

Each attending shop, restaurant, or service provider will be on-hand to chat with guests about their specialties. The showcase—while great for longtime locals to discover new businesses and the new merchandise offered by old purveyors—is particularly beneficial to new residents.

“The Coastal Consumer Showcase is designed to give our residents a sampling of all the goods and services available in our area,” Karen Sphar, executive vice-president of the chamber, tells. “There will be plenty of samples and giveaways from the area merchants along with information about their businesses. As in the past, there will be a Chinese Auction: Each vendor will have a prize at their booth. Just for attending and registering, residents get one free raffle ticket.”

Guests can place their ticket in the receptacle of whichever prize they choose, ensuring winners receive something they truly want.

In 2013, there was a 35 percent increase in attendees from the year before, according to Sphar. “We contribute increase in attendance to a response from residents who have been before, talking about what a great time it is and how much they found out about the offerings from our local business community,” the vice-president adds. “This is one of the few chamber events that are open to all businesses.”

Color Me Carolina, a home décor and gift store in Oak Island, attended last year’s showcase. It was the shop’s second time participating. “As a fairly new business (three years this May), it was imperative for us to showcase our store, including our screen printing and embroidery business,” owner Melaney Robbins explains. “Although we advertise regularly in the area newspapers and guides, some locals still did not know who we were or where we were located. Last year’s turn out was spectacular. We met new people, networked with others, and got feedback on our products. Although Southport and Oak Island rely on the tourism traffic in the summer, the locals are the true heroes who support our business, and that is who we focus on the most.”

Of course, with the growth of the showcase’s attendance, the chamber felt it was important to expand the event’s grasp. “New this year are the free seminars and the interactive fashion show,” Sphar details. “During the expo, there will be models walking the floor. The models will have a sign which will designate where the items they are wearing can be purchased locally. We encourage attendees of the showcase to stop and talk with the models. The seminars include free fitness assessments, free shag dance lessons, and a free fishing seminar.”

Guests of the 2014 seminar can expect to encounter a full show. Shops include Color Me Carolina, Renee’s Fine Jewelry, Steeped Tea, and CP Gunworks. Food and beverage-related booths will feature Southport Tea Room, CrazyCakeChicks, Hog Heaven Barbecue and Ribs, Silver Coast Winery, Fuzzy Peach, and Mr. P’s Bistro.

Consumers will be able to chat about improving their home with businesses like Coastal Shutters, Cape Fear Shutters and Blinds, Island Spas, D.L. Bianchi’s Brickyard Supply, Inc., Al Fulford HVAC, and Piedmont Natural Gas. Finance and insurance vendors will attend, such as Ken White of Farm Bureau Insurance, Edward Jones, Josh London of State Farm, Coastline Insurance, First Community Bank, and Alliance Credit Union.

Health-related vendors will run the gamut, including Family Chiropractic Plus, Massage Therapeutics by Joanne Duncan, Carillon Assisted Living, Lower Cape Fear Hospice and LifeCare Center, Coastal Companion Care, Dosher Memorial Hospital, Coastal Cosmetic Family Dentistry, Ocean Trail Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, and local gym Cape Fear Fitness.

Other attendees include Coastal Computers, Greenwood Pet Camp, ATMC, and Brunswick Community College. Of course, local media such as Southport Magazine, The State Port Pilot, and South Brunswick Magazine will be at the showcase, too.

For more information, visit the chamber’s website at www.southport-oakisland.com or call (910) 457-6964.