Hundreds attend ninth annual Business Showcase

More than 700 people visited the Douglas County Fairgrounds on Thursday for the ninth annual Business Showcase.

People flooded the makeshift avenues, stopping at booths, talking to business owners, pocketing flyers, coupons and free samples from the more than 65 businesses and organizations that participated.

"I'm happy to see it come together; we have a great mix of businesses participating," said Bill Chernock, executive director of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, which organizes the event each year. "The people that live here want to support their local businesses, so they've come to see what's new, what kind of businesses are around, and also to socialize."

Gardnerville resident Arlene Washington was hanging around Plant It Nursery's booth as owner Heather Kahabka showed off a time-release product called Dri-Water, a jelly-like substance made of water and vegetable gum that, once set in soil, can water a plant for 30 days.

"I've been coming for four years," Washington said. "I try to support out local businesses."

Kahabka was showing off more than the nursery's retail products. Helping her in the booth was husband and co-owner Kris Kahabka and their 11-week-old daughter Hadleigh.

"A lot of customers haven't seen her yet, and wanted to come here to see her," Kahabka said.

Across the way, Kim Chappell of The Chappell Ranch, a horse ranch that offers riding lessons for kids and adults, was also sharing the limelight with her child, 9-year-old William Chappell.

"He's the namesake of the Wild Willy's Horse Camp," Chappell said. "He'll ride anything, and he tests the horses with me."

Wielding a lasso, William stepped out of the booth to teach eager passersby how to rope.

"It's real fun," he said.

Chappell said business has been good.

"The economy hasn't been as tough on me," she said.

She attributed this to parents still willing to spend money on their kids, whether for riding lessons or other activities.

"Parents won't scrimp on their kids," she said. "Overall, they do what's best for their kids."

Chappell, who's been in business a little more than a year, said the showcase is "a worthwhile event" that helps expose small companies.

"I love the event, and I love the food," she said.

Some of that food was coming from Debbie Marsh, owner of Indigo restaurant, who was handing out crackers with hot artichoke dip.

"We're in the center of Minden Village, and we're doing pretty good," she said. "We're getting out information in the newspaper and sending out flyers for special events, like our open mic nights on Thursdays that everyone loves."

Marsh was optimistic that local businesses would eventually prevail over economic diffidence.

"All the businesses are hanging in there and doing all right," she said. "It's getting better."