"Friends of Forest" Expo to Feature 60+ Businesses

PTA parent Melissa Rakolta wanted to help the people she knew who were struggling to keep their businesses afloat.

As an independent consultant for Thirty-One Gifts, through which she sells handbags and other gift items, Rakolta tried to get a neighborhood business event going but had no luck. Then she hit on a way to benefit not only business owners, but her children's school as well.

Now, more than 60 businesses are signed up for the first-ever Friends of Forest Small Business Expo from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesday.

"I'm feeling a little overwhelmed," Rakolta said Wednesday, adding that she was working on a floor plan that now involves the school gym, cafeteria and other locations in the building. "But my main goal was to help people."

Vendors already signed up include independent contractors, area health care providers, educational support services, crafters, jewelry designers, caterers and photographers, among others. Each has paid $20 for a space and will contribute items for a fundraising raffle, Rakolta said.

With the vendor list more than full, Rakolta has turned her attention to bringing in the public to meet them. She has a bit of a built-in audience, because Forest's book fair and parent conferences will be going on. But she'd like to see people from all over the community attend.

She is working to make the event a real win-win.

"As a vendor, I want it to be a good experience for them," she said. "As a PTA member, I want it to be good for the school."

Admission is free. Forest Elementary is located at 34545 Old Timber, west off of Farmington Road between 13 Mile and 14 Mile roads.