The Appalachian Center for Economic Networks brought the holiday spirit to Athens by highlighting local businesses. ACEnet hosted their annual holiday open house with food, wine, holiday music, a cake walk raffle and holiday shopping Thursday.
ACEnet is a “community-based economic development organization” with a mission to “grow the regional economy” by supporting “residents who want to start businesses, obtain quality jobs and connect with other entrepreneurs for mutual benefit.”
Thursday’s holiday open house featured local businesses including Afri-mArt, Appalachian Herb Co., Community Food Initiatives, Elza Pearl Wildfarm, EventFull Catering, Flour & Thyme, Fusion Wave, Goldenrod Gatherings, Happy Snacking Athens, Hei Hei, Lone Wolf Lavender and Root 56 Farm.
These businesses transformed ACEnet’s Food Ventures Center into a holiday marketplace. The marketplace flourished with different booths to get shoppers in the holiday spirit, featuring everything from on-site cooking to live holiday music.
Participants saw a glimpse of local businesses in the area and had the opportunity to support them. Daniel Gates, a shopper at the event, said he started supporting ACEnet about 20 years ago when he moved to Athens.
“I think (the event) is excellent for the community,” Gates said. “It’s important to bring in small businesses, it really is.”
The open house showcased clients and tenants who use the space or have received support from ACEnet. As shoppers observed the holiday festivities, business owners expressed gratitude toward ACEnet’s support and attendees.
Featured at the open house was Goldenrod Gatherings, founded and owned by Alexandria Polanosky, an ACEnet client. Goldenrod Gatherings offers vintage tablescape rentals, dishes and glassware.
An alum of Ohio University, Polanosky has been involved with ACEnet since her graduation and works for the university as the strategic communications coordinator for student affairs.
Polanosky said she benefits from ACEnet, which provides storage space and kitchen facilities for her business.
“(ACEnet) takes down the barriers to entry for small businesses; this storage space would cost a lot more money somewhere else,” Polanosky said. “It’s really about reducing barriers and having a shared communal space.”
Ana Leon, ACEnet’s regional program manager and OU alum, strives to empower and support new entrepreneurs in the area. Leon said the holiday open house is essential for showcasing ACEnet’s hardworking clients and to collaborate with locals.
“Each year brings people we haven’t before or invites people that haven’t been part of the event,” Leon said. “We do have a limited amount of space, but it works out pretty well.”
For vendors and visitors alike, the holiday mart celebrated products and featured the hardworking individuals behind the businesses at ACEnet.
“(The event) is to celebrate in the community, to enjoy with all the people that also love our work and support us,” Leon said. “There’s a lot of community members that are here to support us.”
