OTISFIELD — The town’s showcase of residential businesses has been deemed a success, according to town officials.

“We had a great turnout for the showcase,” said Town Clerk Sharon Matthews of the event that took place on Saturday, Aug. 6, at the Otisfield Community Hall.

Matthews said a large number of businesses, including those specializing in photography, crafts, antiques, floral arrangements, wedding planning and jewelry, displayed their merchandise and services.

There have been five business showcases since 2009.

Matthews said she hopes to organize a committee in the coming months to strategize ways to bring more people in to see the vast array of local services, and also to find a way to ensure people understand the showcase is promoting business services or merchandise, not looking for employees.

“People may think it is a job fair when in fact, it is promoting the numerous abilities of the individuals in our town and how they can help others, whether it is finding the right gift for someone, needing landscapers, snowplowing, excavating, sewing or seamstress work, photographer for an event or even an event planner – you name it,” Matthews explained.

To continue that effort, Matthews has created a directory of local businesses for the town’s webpage at www.otisfieldme.gov/Pages/Town%20Businesses%20&%20Accomodations.

The showcase gave those in Otisfield who have a small business, product or service a day of free advertising about their services and merchandise, she said.

Local businesses already on the webpage include those offering quilts, wood crafts, fly fishing equipment and photography.

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