
Spring Spotlight on Local Business
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By: Randie Ortloff
Community Writer
Photo Courtesy of:
Randie Ortloff
Photo Description:
Members of the community come out to support local business.
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Local Businesses came out in full force on April 16th for Loma Linda’s Annual Business Expo.
Phil Carlisle, Chief Executive of the Loma Linda Chamber of Commerce planned the event which has been a yearly tradition for the past 21 years.
Since beginning as a small function behind the civic center, the event has grown substantially over the years. The event means a great deal to Carlisle, for he recognizes the importance of offering a platform for local businesses.
“This event provides businesses an opportunity to get their name and product in front of the public as well as to network,” explained Carlisle, “The plaza is the best location for the event and I am very thankful to Stater Bros. for hosting.”
The event provided businesses with an opportunity to get their name and products out in from of the public and to network with potential clients. “I enjoy being a cheerleader for the city, it is a great place to work and play,” expressed Carlisle of his love for the city, a sentiment that was echoed by many other members of the event as well.
Brina Lima, a representative with Storage West noticed the strong sense of community promoted by the event, stating,“We are new members to the Loma Linda Chamber and we feel every welcomed, many of our customers are students at the university and so we are very thankful to the city.”
Military Veteran and Moreno Valley resident, Arthur Hernandez, stopped by the event and enjoyed the complimentary food provided by Jose’s Mexican Food after his weekly physical therapy appointment at the Veterans Hospital,quickly noticing the strong sense of community.
“Loma Linda is a great place, the hospital is excellent,I come here every Wednesday and this was a really great surprise," states Hernandez,"and the free food is also a plus.”
The Business Expo was hosted by the Stater Bros. located on Barton Rd. Clark’s Nutrition Center, Gospel Talent Search, Seidner’s Collision Center, Party Plus, and Heritage Gardens Healthcare Center were just a few of the nearly forty businesses present to market their products.