Brownstown Business Expo and Taste Tour has introduced diners and shoppers to area businesses since 2012 and some business owners wouldn’t miss the annual event that allows them to show off what they sell and build their customer base.

The businesses get to highlight what they offer to the 600-some people who browse the 40 vendor booths during the annual event.


Raises visibility

“It’s the best place to advertise,” said Jason Gould, owner of the Brownstown, Riverview and other Chicken Shack franchises. “We can give people a taste of what we offer. Over the years we’ve gotten a lot of business from the expo.”

Gould started working at Chicken Shack in Royal Oak while he was in high school and in 2011 he opened his first Chicken Shack franchise in Livonia. Chicken Shack was started in Royal Oak by John and Iola Sobeck in 1956. Today, the chain has 23 locations in the Metro Detroit area.

The Brownstown and Riverview Chicken Shacks have sponsored a booth at the expo every year and so has Advantage One Credit Union.

“It gets our name out in the community.” said Lindsay Dennis, Advantage One Credit Union digital marketing specialist. “We meet potential members and we meet people from other businesses and organizations. It’s a great way to get exposure for the businesses and for the residents to see what’s in their community. We have a great time there.”

Advantage One Credit Union has over $240 million in assets, two branches and over 17,000 members located in southeast Michigan. Since 1952, Advantage One has served the Downriver communities by offering products, services and financial education to help local residents.

Another businessowner who’s excited about participating in the expo again is Francesca Elawadi, owner of Francesca’s Brick Oven Pizzeria in Brownstown. She first participated in the event in 2023, a year after opening her restaurant in the community.

“My experience with attending the business food expo was fantastic,” she said. “It taught me the importance of bringing businesses together and marketing together. It was fun, busy and exciting. I also loved meeting new customers in the community, who were excited about trying new things and broadening their palates with new food items that they hadn't been able to try yet.”

Elawadi thinks more businesses should be taking advantage of the opportunities the expo provides for them.

“Businesses should attend so they can meet other businesses for future collaboration purposes,” she said. “It provides an opportunity to showcase their food, products, and services. And it's a perfect opportunity to connect with the community and answer any questions or concerns they might have. We are so thankful for the DDA and all they do to bring businesses and the community together.”

Francesca’s Brick Oven Pizzeria brings the culture, language, and the authentic art of Napoletana-style pizza to the Downriver area. They offer the highest quality fresh mozzarella and basil, Mortadella and prosciutto. The dough is made of Caputo 00 flour, which gives the proper structure and texture that quality pizza needs while still making an airy and flavorful crust. It’s cooked in a 900-degree, brick-stone oven imported from Italy.


Mark your calendar

The Brownstown Business Expo and Taste Tour is 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., May 15 at the Brownstown Event Center, 23345 King Road. Every year vendors bring giveaways and raffle prizes.

The event is limited to 40 Brownstown and area businesses and there are still openings available. Registration is $50 and the deadline for business sign ups is April 19.

“This is a great way for local businesses to showcase what they have to offer,” said Sue Trussell, Brownstown DDA director. “If you need help with debt reduction, a hearing aid or are looking for a local chiropractor, you can see all that in one place. You can enter raffles and pick up giveaway items along with sampling many delicious dishes from local eateries. My favorite part is when I see the businesses networking with each other. Many connections have been made over the past 12 years.”

Call Trussell at (734) 675-5911 or email strussell@brownstown-mi.org for business application forms and other information.