RUMFORD — Helping the local economy and giving space to those who work from home was the theme of a “shop local” fair on Friday.

Black Mountain of Maine hosted its second annual vendor fair at the ski mountain.

“We have this great facility and I feel it really should be used for more than just skiing,” said Jen Leduc, event coordinator for Black Mountain of Maine.

About 22 vendors attended the fair, selling jewelry, crafts, Pampered Chef, Scentsy, and The Proper Pooch, a dog obedience service.

“We are trying to give a storefront to those businesses who don’t have one,” Leduc said.

Vendors paid a $10 fee to rent a table, she said.

Brenda Soucy, who was at the fair selling her photographs, said the fair was an excellent way to help the local economy. Soucy helps run River Valley Animal Advocates and gives a portion of her proceeds to help support the cause.

“There is so much talent locally that doesn’t have a venue,” she said. “This is just a great opportunity for us.”

Marcia Rajaniemi, who owns Scrappy Lady Designs, said the economy hasn’t helped her business, but fairs help her get exposure.

“I think people locally don’t even know most of us exist or how to get a hold of us,” she said.

Erin Wainwright, who sells Thirty-One Gifts, agreed with Rajaniemi.

“Its good exposure, even if you don’t sell a lot,” she said. “It’s all about networking.”

Leduc said the idea for the event was sparked around a conversation about a former event in Rumford called Midnight Madness.

“Businesses on Congress Street use to have a night in December when they stayed open ’til midnight,” Leduc said.

She added that she thought it was a great idea to keep shoppers local and wanted to do something similar.

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