By Scott McLendon

The Taste of Crenshaw is slated to take place at the Dei Center at Luverne United Methodist Church on June 8 at 6 p.m.. Approximately 18 restaurants will participate in the fourth edition of this annual business event hosted by the Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce.

“This event started four years ago and we started it in an effort to make our business meetings more fun,” said Donald Nix, president of the Crenshaw County Chamber of Commerce. “Most business meetings are pretty boring anyways. so in this case, we decided to make our annual business meeting more fun for everyone associated with the chamber.”

Businesses such as Hardee’s, Coco Mama’s, Bush’s Barbeque, Sister Shubert, Pepsi and Sydney’s Catering have already committed to the endeavor, with more expected to join. Eateries of all kinds will be featured at this showcase from small-town restaurants and caterers to titans of the soft drink industry.

“It is open to the public if they make reservations,” Nix said. “It offers our community a chance to enjoy the samplings of a wide variety of area restaurants and caterers. It offers them a good evening of food and good entertainment provided by Scott Fowler. We are expecting just over 200 people, and we are maxing out the facility we’re in now.”

One aim of this annual business feast is to bring joy to a mundane meeting, but it also acts as a spark to further the success of local businesses. This gathering brings together customers and merchants in a manner outside of the norm.

The nature of the event is slightly altered from that of  usually dining. This setting provides business owners with the chance to engage with the community they hope to serve. The Taste of Crenshaw seeks to strengthen current local businesses while simultaneously hoping to entice other businesses to set up shop in Crenshaw County.

“The restaurants get exposure to people who might not otherwise have visited their establishment,” said Chamber staff member Carol Staller. “The community benefits from this because it’s a fun way of exploring other eating establishments they have not gone to or don’t frequent. It’s a fun evening to celebrate business in Crenshaw County.”

This celebration is an opportunity for merchant and consumer alike. On top of fostering a blossoming business environment, this gathering strengthens community ties.

“It’s a great event, its incredibly popular for us and its grown in leaps and bounds since its inception,” Nix said. “We are thankful and excited to promote it and to do it every year.”

Tickets can be purchased at the door on June 8 for $10, or get advanced tickets by calling the Chamber office at 334-335-4468.