'Shop Lake County' Returns to Great Lakes Mall

The expo for Lake County businesses returns to the Mentor mall Saturday and Sunday

Jason Lea, Patch Staff

Posted Fri, Feb 24, 2012 at 2:32 pm ET|Updated Sat, Feb 25, 2012 at 1:38 pm ET

The Shop Lake County Community and Business Expo will return to Great Lakes Mall Saturday and Sunday.

For two days, local businesses will have a chance to showcase their wares and services in Lake County's biggest retail site. These companies range from small family operations to some of the biggest employers in the area.

However, the expo was designed with small business owners in mind.

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"It's a chance for all of our vendors to come to the central meeting place in the county," said Kevin Malecek, the executive director for the Mentor Area Chamber of Commerce. "It's a tremendous opportunity for businesses who may not have a store front or whose store is somewhere else in the county."

Malecek said he hoped that shoppers took a chance to learn more about local businesses and support them this weekend.

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"(Locally owned businesses) are the backbone of Lake County," he said. "You got to have your Mom & Pops. We want to keep our local businesses as vibrant and vital as possible."

The expo is hosted by Lake County Chambers of Commerce and Great Lakes Mall.

Shoppers can check out local merchants during the mall's regular hours from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Many businesses will offer giveaways and special deals.

Additionally, some local dance studios, musicians and martial arts teachers will have demonstrations at the mall throughout the weekend. The schedule is:

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Stage

Time

Entertainment

12:00

Lakeland Jazz Band Ensemble

1:00

Captains' National Anthem Tryouts

2:00