By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— The Pelham Civic Complex and Ice Arena was busy with activity Sept. 26 as visitors weaved through booths at the first Small and Independent Business Showcase.

Forty-seven business owners from the Greater Birmingham area were there to meet with the public and display their services. Each business set up its booth a little differently to attract visitors over.

Trista Duran displaying her photography, The Dixie Pickle showing off its woodworking inventory, Kim Nalls providing cake samples from her catering company and Belle from Enchanted Princesses greeting children.

“There are a lot of people out there that have small and independent businesses that the public doesn’t really know about, so I thought about putting the showcase together so the general public could come in, network and showcase with other business owners,” said Kennethee Dunner, coordinator for the event.  “It was also a good opportunity for the business owners to come together and get their name out there for the general public.”

Dunner owns KD Creations in Helena, an arts and crafts shop specializing in custom table skirts, chair covers, tutu skirts, dresses, wreaths and more. This event was the first one she had ever put together and she said she was happy with the turnout.

“It has been fun,” she said.  “It has its ups and downs, but to just get up this morning and see everyone come together business-wise, working for the same purpose and goals and trying to get their business out there, it’s been successful. I’m happy and pleased with it.”

Dunner made sure to check in with each of the vendors and speak with each owner during the event to get a feel for how the business showcase was going. She said she had no complaints.

She plans on making this an annual event, and she already has some ideas for next year’s. With 47 vendors at the showcase, she said she’d like a larger space next time to accommodate the interest.

“Now that I see it’s been successful, I do plan on continuing to do it annually,” she said.