Business Expo Tuesday

Shannon Keith

Nov. 9, 2009 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce Office Manager JoBeth Cobb said she is busy getting ready for the 2009 Tar River Business and Community Expo from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday at Riverside Plaza mall in Tarboro.

"I was out at the mall (Friday) staking out spots for the booths," said Cobb. "There's lots to do before Tuesday."

This is the second year the annual Expo will be held at the mall in Tarboro, where the event was originally held each year.

"Moving it out to Riverside Plaza has worked out great," said Cobb. "There was a lot more room out there and we were able to show a lot more."

Cobb said that the Expo, sponsored by The Tarboro Edgecombe Chamber of Commerce, Edgecombe Community College Small Business Center, The Daily Southerner and Sara Lee, will showcase 40 area businesses and organizations from Tarboro, Rocky Mount, Greenville and other areas of the state.

"We have 40 participating this year," said Cobb. "That's about on par with what we did last year."

Cobb said that many of the more popular exhibitors will be back this year in Tarboro.

"The ECC Cosmetic Arts Department will be out here again giving free manicures from 11:30 a.m. -- 5:30 p.m.," said Cobb. "That was very popular last year.

"They stayed busy the entire day."

However, Cobb said that the Expo will also feature new businesses, organizations and services for the public.

"The Quigless Natural Health Center will be offering free chair massages and reiki sessions from noon to 2 p.m. and from 4-6 p.m.," said Cobb. "They are usually out here each year, but this is the first time they will be offering these particular services.

"I imagine they will stay busy this year with that."

Cobb also said that Pitt County Memorial Hospital in Greenville as well as Heritage Hospital in Tarboro, will be at the Expo this year, showcasing some of the new medical services the hospitals now provide.

Both hospitals are owned by University Health Systems.

"Pitt County Memorial Hospital's Stroke Risk Identification Program will be offering free screenings for cholesterol, blood pressure, blood glucose and BMI (Body Mass Index) from noon to 5 p.m.," said Cobb. "And Heritage Hospital will be showing off its new Heartburn Treatment Center.

"They will also be giving out heartburn-friendly recipes for the Holiday Season."

Cobb added that Popeye's restaurant will be at the Expo for the first time, as well as the premier of Doug Henry Ford.

"They will be out there right alongside Doug Henry Chevrolet," said Cobb.

The Expo will be from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is free and open to the public.

"We are hoping for a really good turnout this year," said Cobb. "Should be a lot of fun."

Newstex ID: KRTB-0373-39575723