WineStyles owner Jerry Zellers explains the concept of his stores’ Wine Club memberships to Sandra Segura, an employee with Falcon International Bank, at the Stone Oak Business Expo. Photo by Laura Mrachek

In the wake of a faltering economy, San Antonio businesses were out in full force Sept. 30 to promote their wares and services at the sixth annual Stone Oak Business Expo.

Approximately 100 businesses participated in – and an estimated 400 people attended – the Stone Oak Business Association-sponsored event at Reagan High School.

Participants included Methodist Stone Oak Hospital, Mathanasium, Frost Bank, Aussie Pet Mobile, Northwoods Dental Spa, The Goddard School, Sonterra Health Center and numerous restaurants such as Aladdin’s Eatery, Aldaco’s, Pericos, Jason’s Deli and Gourmet Burger Grill.

Vendors passed out brochures, coupons and freebies; many restaurants handed out food samples. Mike Davis, executive chef of Gourmet Burger Grill, said that in response to the nation’s economic woes, his restaurant recently instituted several specials such as a children-eat-free promotion Wednesdays and an inexpensive daily combo meal.

“We started doing it about two months ago as soon as the gas prices got absolutely crazy,” Davis said. “People are being smarter about how they spend their money. We know everyone’s having a hard time making it right now, so we are doing all we can to help everyone out.”

Davis said the specials have increased business at his restaurant, which has been open about one and a half years.

“We’ve seen an amazing response due to what we’ve done. People are coming to us for their comfort food needs. They feel stressed out, eat a burger and it takes their mind off of everything for a while,” he said.

State Farm insurance agent Betsy Dippo, who has been in business 20 years in Stone Oak, said she has noticed rising numbers of customers calling to cut down on their insurance bills.

“With the economy, we are seeing a lot more phone calls and questions,” Dippo said. “People are calling to make adjustments on their deductibles and people are checking to see if they have all the discounts they can get. There has been a big increase in numbers of people attending defensive driving class to offset the cost of insurance.”

The owner of a new Stone Oak enterprise, WineStyles, said his sales are still tracking upward despite overall economic problems. Jerry Zellers said business at his wine boutique, which opened in February, seems fairly immune to the problems facing many retailers.

“Wine is one of the affordable luxuries and is pretty economy-proof,” Zellers commented. “Stone Oak is the right demographic for us. You have a lot of younger families, a little more upscale, who tend to drink more wine.”

Zellers said sales have been less than originally projected, but he blamed his store’s location in a new shopping center rather than the economy.

“Business has been a little slower than I expected, but the fact that we are in a new center is one of the risks you take,” Zellers said. “A lot of people don’t even know we are there. If you go into a vibrant center, you have lots of traffic, but you pay 35 to 40 percent more in rent. If you go in a new center, you pay less rent, but you have to be patient and play the waiting game.”

Karen Wilson and Rhonda Chadwick, independent representatives with Silpada, a silver jewelry direct sales business, said they have not noticed any slowdown in business.

“Women love jewelry and they will find a way to get it,” Wilson said. “This is a busy time for us, as we are getting ready for the holidays.”

Chadwick said women still seem eager to host home-based parties, adding that Silpada has many shows booked through this month and next.

“Perhaps because the economy is getting bad, (people are) wanting to have the parties so they can earn free jewelry,” she said.

Reagan business teacher Kiz Mannheimer, whose students helped promote the expo, said this year’s event was the largest yet. She said the expo had 40 booths in its inaugural year and has grown each year of its existence.

“I think the participants are trying everything they can to increase their business,” Mannheimer said. “They’re coming and trying to talk up their business. And they’re not sending their rank-and-file employees. The owners themselves are coming.”

Mannheimer said event proceeds will fund $3,000 to $4,000 in scholarships for members of Future Business Leaders of America at Reagan.