Consumer Expo Showcases 35 Canton Businesses

Denise Staffeld of Canton, a mortgage lender with , managed to combine work and play at Canton Chamber of Commerce's fall , on Thursday evening at .

She used part of Huntington Bank's booth to promote a community theater show, , currently playing at . Staffeld plays Maud, a minor character. And she wore Maud's big-brimmed hat while talking to booth visitors. Staffeld said she's delighted that Huntington Bank has a role in the play, too — Huntington Bank has been around for nearly 150 years, she said, so it makes perfect sense in a play set in 1912.

Jeanie Derani, meanwhile, kept focused on her Jeanie's Gift Shop booth, with a hand from her husband, company vice president Prasad Derani. She said this year's show seemed slightly smaller than last year's fall expo, but that was OK.

"People seemed to have more time, be more leisurely," she said. "I enjoyed it."

President Tracey Rettig said 35 businesses were showcased by the expo — including some of the chamber's newest members —  and that it was a good way for residents to get to know managers and shop owners.

The next Canton Chamber of Commerce event is the annual business awards luncheon, where the Business Person of the Year will be announced. Advance tickets cost $20; prices are $25 at the door for members and $30 for non members. The luncheon is 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.Oct. 5 at Summit on the Park, 46000 Summit Parkway, Canton.