By Penny Leuthard, Staff Writer 

   The second annual Explore Clearwater/Clear Lake Business Expo held Sunday was once again a success, with organizers and business representatives pleased with the turnout and attendees pleased with the local business’ offerings. “We had 10 more businesses sign up than last year,” said Lori Johnson of Johnson Crushing and president of Clear Valley Business Connections (CVBC), which organized the event. “I’m excited to see people learning about businesses in the area and continuing to shop local.”

   Attendance at the business expo was steady from 10 a.m., when the expo started, all the way through to 1 p.m., when the event wrapped up. Nearly 30 businesses were on hand to showcase their offerings and speak with visitors. “The expo is a great way to provide awareness to community members who aren’t on Main Street,” said Wanda Hogie, who was representing Purple Prairie Botanicals. Many of the attendees stopped by her table to offer congratulations on the store, which just opened April 30.

   Liz White of Our Peaceful Heart found the expo to be a great way to get exposure with local community members, and it provided her the chance to explain her business and the benefits it offers. “It’s always a good opportunity to get out and meet everyone in the community,” says Molly Sigafus of Coborn’s. “It’s my first year here so I get to see what it’s all about,” said Tiffany Hawkridge, Coborn’s new pharmacy manager. “It’s good to get out and meet members of the community.”

   Julie Claseman was at the expo representing Lake Central Bank, which is celebrating 125 years of business in 2018. To help celebrate, the bank is giving away gift certificates every week, so she was encouraging everyone to sign up for the chance to win one. “This is our first year at the expo,” said Marianne Galles of T&R Meats. “We decided to participate because we have people coming into the shop saying they live just down the block and weren’t aware we were there.”

   Clear Valley Business Connections organized the expo to promote shopping local and for the surrounding community to get to know their local businesses and what they have to offer. With this year’s success, Explore Clearwater/Clear Lake Business Expo is expected to continue to be an annual event. “It’s great to see people coming out to support local businesses,” said Dr. Eron Bordson, CVBC treasurer and owner of Clearwater Family Chiropractic Clinic.