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Expo Breaks Records In 20th Year

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By JOYCE McKENZIE

jmckenzie@tampatrib.com

Published: March 25, 2009

TEMPLE TERRACE - The Temple Terrace Business Expo and Taste of the Terrace celebrated its 20-year venture March 17 at the University of South Florida Sun Dome with record-breaking vendor participation and attendance.

Hosted by the Greater Temple Terrace Chamber of Commerce, the Republic Bank-sponsored event signed on 151 businesses and 22 restaurants. Cheri Donohue, the chamber's executive director, estimated the event drew at least 2,500 people.

The event's purpose, Donohue said, is twofold. The expo gives area businesses, eateries and service organizations the opportunity to showcase their products while educating guests about the establishments and clubs within the community.

"The Florida Chamber of Commerce recently kicked off a statewide campaign called Backyard Economics that promotes keeping our spending dollars within the state of Florida," Donohue said. "We have been promoting that for two decades and appreciate that our message has gone statewide."

Expo Chairman Bob French was thrilled with the business community's eagerness to participate and its enthusiasm in promoting it.

"It's our area businesses that help us get through this hard economic time," he said. "We're just very happy they are all here."

Chamber President Dottie Iwerks was equally impressed with how many people came out for the expo.

"It's awesome to see all these smiling faces," she said.

Guests standing in the long lines for free barbecue with all the fixings at Lupton's Catering and Restaurant didn't seem to mind the 10- to 15-minute wait. In the meantime, they admired the variety of side dishes, including an edible chocolate fondue exhibit and the fresh strawberry and pineapple display created in the shape of a 3-foot-high palm tree topped with a frond.

Chatenbury Place beauty salon owner Phyllis Faber, who has been in business 22 years in Temple Terrace, said this year was her first as a vendor.

"I'm just kicking myself for not being here before," said Faber, whose salon is on North 56th Street. "Being able to get close to the people in our community is great."

Earl Lanoue, owner of the Smoothie King on East Fowler Avenue, has made the event a priority since he took over the franchise five years ago.

"I love it," he said. "It's one of the great things we do for the community. The other is providing free smoothies at the Relay for Life events in Temple Terrace, King High School and USF."

Jim Montevego, owner of Antonio's Pasta Grille, also has been an expo vendor since his business opened about five years ago at the southeast corner of 56th Street and East Fowler Avenue.

"It's great to be part of this community," he said. "This gives us terrific exposure and it's also a thank you to the people who support us."

Emma's Cake owner Emma Ford said she closed her two-person bakery on North 56th Street early to participate for the second time since opening her business early last year.

"I wouldn't miss it," she said. "People get to taste what we make and that's what brings them in."

Guests voted Lupton's Restaurant and Catering as the best among the participating eateries. Empanada's placed second, and Qdoba's Mexican Grill was the third-place winner.

In the best specialty-food vendor category, Emma's Cakes took first place, Coldstone Creamery came in second and Gaspar's Bar & Grill was third.

The total of each $5 entry fee will be tallied and donated equally among the public and private schools in the Temple Terrace area.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849. To see more photos from the event, visit northeast.tbo.com, Keyword: Business Expo.

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