It's been four years since the last trade show at Memorial Gardens. One was planned in 2019. but COVID changed everyone's plans.
But local businessman Scott Clark didn't want the event to die, so he started making plans to revive it this year.
"We started reaching out to a number of vendors, and they said, 'Ya, we'd like to come back' and that's how it started."
Clark says everyone has been incredibly pleased with the way things turned out.
"All the vendors are super, super happy."
Pandemic fears fading helped attendance, added Clark, but some still opted to mask up.
"Probably the biggest thing is, is people saying it's great seeing other people. I've heard a lot of that, 'I haven't seen you in a long time.' It's like a gathering of the community and at this time of year, traditionally we don't get out because we're hunkered down from the cold."
Clark says all proceeds from public attendance ($2 each) are going directly to the Food Bank, and estimates between four and five thousand dollars, plus non-perishable food items, were donated.
Manager of North Bay Food Bank Debbie Marson says the organization also benefits from the public exposure at the event.
"It's an opportunity to thank our community for the donations and it also lets us talk to the community about who we serve and how we serve and what good work their donations are doing."
Innovations in building, renovating, and landscaping were featured at the Home & Garden Expo this weekend. Several dozen vendors – from contractors and tradespeople to product and equipment suppliers – were on hand to offer expert advice in-person, after surviving a virtual marketplace during three years of pandemic interruption.
One of those was James Sweeney of Bella Terra Stone located off Highway 11 in North Bay.
"The show has been fantastic, especially after the last few years where we haven't had a lot of people coming in, with COVID and such. It seems like everybody just wants to get out again and we've had a great reception here. We've got a lot of leads and feedback from the community."
Sweeney says people don't know a lot about stone or quartz, so it's a good opportunity to showcase his product.
"We get everything from 'How heavy it that?' to 'How long does it take to install?' and price per square foot. Lots of questions but that's the best part that we get to explain to everybody what we do."
