Relationships Fostered Between Local Businesses and Residents at Chamber of Commerce's Expo

Business owners and local shoppers came together Tuesday for the Matawan Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce's twelfth annual Expo at The Reception Center.

"The purpose of this event is to give the public a chance to meet and get to know some the the local businesses, organizations and non-profits that actually help with the economy and the stability of the town," said Cathy Zavorskas, president of the chamber.

About forty businesses and non-profits set up tables at the event, including InStyle Salon, MetLife, Piazza di Roma, Matawan Historical Society and the Matawan Aberdeen Public Library.

To encourage attendees to meet all of the business owners, everyone was given a card to be stamped at each vendor's booth. At the end of the night, everyone with a full card was entered into a raffle for prizes like a free house cleaning from SSS Cleaning, a free session with MAX Fitness and a gift basket from The Hobby Shop.

The face-to-face interactions help build relationships between the businesses and the local residents to foster a strong local economy, which benefits the entire community, Zavorskas explained.

"When you have a name and a face connected to the business, you see they are every day people," she said. "They are not just a one dimensional character.