First Women's Expo set Saturday in Vienna

Organziners are planning the first Women’s Expo to generate interest in local small businesses.

It's scheduled for Saturday at the Grand Pointe Conference Center in Vienna. Carl's Pawn Shop is the main sponsor.

According to event sponsor and Carl’s Pawn Shop owner, Diane Balderson, the event is called the women's expo because as much as 82 percent of all buying is done by women. However, men are still welcome to come.

After gaining support from other local businesses, Balderson said at least 35 vendors will be at the expo, and each one is donating something to be raffled off to people attending.

“We’re hoping as they come in, they just walk around like they were shopping anywhere else. All the businesses are set up to sell whatever products they have that day. And my hope is that they sell everything they bring,” said Balderson.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. A full list of vendors can be found at www.carlspawnshop.info/.