Scotiabank celebrates small businesses

Loading Likes...

Story and photos by Stephanie Foden

Scotiabank, Oshawa main branch, was a buzz with activity yesterday as they hosted their biannual Spring Fling. The Spring Fling featured seven vendors from the local business community setting up booths right in the bank. It was an opportunity for Scotiabank on King Street W to showcase and celebrate some of the local businesses from the community.
“They bank with us, so to show our appreciation, we’re giving them an opportunity to market to our walk-in clients,” said Chris Garofalo, Small Business Banking Advisor at Scotiabank.
The vendors included a range of different business from across Durham Region, including limousine service, photography and jewelry. There were also two vendors who have appeared on the TV show Dragons’ Den and a chiropractic clinic offering complementary massages.

“Normally to get a table at a trade show, it’s about 300 to 400 bucks minimum, but this is free. But we ask for a donation or a silent suction item that we put towards a charity that we work with, ” said Mili de Silva, Small Business Banking Advisor at Scotiabank.
The silent auction table will run for two weeks with all proceeds going to Feed the Need in Durham. Additionally, the bank was also collecting food items for Feed the Need.
“We’re the only Scotiabank branch in Durham that’s doing it,” said Garofalo. “We’re just trying it out to see how the businesses like it and we do raise quite a bit for those charities as well, so it’s a win win situation. “
The business appreciation event started a year and a half ago and is held in the spring and fall.