Tuscaloosa community explores West Alabama businesses at Celebrate Local event

Jasmine Hollie, The Tuscaloosa News
·2 min read

Dozens of retailers and vendors from across West Alabama gathered Tuesday at the Tuscaloosa River Market for the Celebrate Local event.

Celebrate Local is hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of West Alabama and presented by Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports. Organizers say the event provides an opportunity to learn more about what the local business community has to offer, while encouraging consumers to think local first.

Jim Page, CEO and president of the West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, said he believes the event is a good way to inform the community about the importance of shopping locally “because that sales tax revenue stays in this community.

“It employs a lot of our friends and neighbors in the community, and it’s better than shopping online or spending our money out of town,” Page said. “And it’s also just a way to get everybody together and celebrate everything that’s great about living here.”

Shunetta Kirkman and co-owner of Poppin’ Sisters, Marleshia Hall, talk to patrons Jennifer Louie and her son, Jack Trainum, during the Celebrate Local event at Tuscaloosa River Market. The event allows local merchants to showcase their goods to the public.
Shunetta Kirkman and co-owner of Poppin’ Sisters, Marleshia Hall, talk to patrons Jennifer Louie and her son, Jack Trainum, during the Celebrate Local event at Tuscaloosa River Market. The event allows local merchants to showcase their goods to the public.

The annual event allowed attendees to explore local businesses and shop for a variety of items including clothing, jewelry, home décor, art, gifts and more.

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Attendees were given free Celebrate Local tote bags to assist them as they visited the vendor booths. Vendors offered free giveaways, samples and informational items.

Local restaurants, like Jalepeños and Walk-Ons Sports Bistreaux, offered samples of their most popular entrees.

Participating vendors included Alabama ONE, City of Tuscaloosa, Embassy Suites, Spiller Furniture and Mattress, Tuscaloosa Hyundai and more.

The event also included smaller businesses like Poppin’ Sisters Popcorn & Treats LLC, Art Garage and iMakeUpMe LLC.

Joanna Lemmon, owner of the Art Garage in Tuscaloosa, said she enjoys supporting local businesses and believes the Celebrate Local event is a great way to expose the community to local businesses.

“I think it’s so important to have this so that people can know what’s around Tuscaloosa,” she said.

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The Art Garage is a local art studio for children and has been serving the Tuscaloosa community for almost two years. The Art Garage is located at 2422 Sixth St.

Singrid Thompson, owner of iMakeUpMe LLC, said this year’s event marked her first time participating as a vendor. Thompson said she was thrilled to be featured amongst larger businesses.

“Everybody that has participated before, says that it’s been a great turnout, so Im expecting a really great turnout,” said Thompson.

Thompson owns and operates the iMakeUpMe Beauty & Skincare spa located at 609 28th Ave. in Tuscaloosa. Thompson also has a skincare line where she offers a variety of natural skincare products.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Celebrate Local event showcases West Alabama businesses