Students buzzed around the downtown square as small businesses gathered in the Idea Bank for an event showcasing what Troy has to offer.
Organized by the City of Troy, the Idea Bank and the Troy University Student Government Association (SGA), the Taste of Troy is an annual event that promotes local businesses.
Students could mingle with small business owners and get a better grasp on what’s in the area.
“Tonight is all about creating a community and the small businesses that Troy has to offer,” said Mary Rhodes, owner of Phoenix Nutrition. “A lot of students have come back to school or are new students that don’t necessarily know a lot about our community.
“We’re just here to create a little community for our students.”
The event was part of Troy University’s Welcome Week. The Welcome Week directors said it not only introduced students to what the area has to offer outside of campus, but it helped them get out and try new things.
“When people think about Troy, they think of just the college,” said Derrick Nobles, a senior business accounting major from Mobile, Alabama. “This is an opportunity for students to get off campus, come tothe downtown square and see all the local businesses that are around them that they may not have heard of.”
Along with students getting to know local businesses in the area, the event gave a chance for local business owners to promote their business.
Rhodes is one small business owner in the area. This is her second time attending Taste of Troy. She explains she’s grateful for the opportunity to get her name out there.
“If you don’t actually advertise your business, your business can’t grow,” Rhodes said. “We are actually looking to expand our business into multiple new locations, so in order for me to convey that to the population, I need to get out and spread the word myself.”
The browse session came complete with free samples, coupons and raffle giveaways. The event also featured live music with a concert by Kane Meredith.
“At first, Troy seems like a really, really small place that doesn’t have anything,” said Kyra Dalluge, a fifth year exercise science major from Rogers, Minnesota. “I think coming here, you can see that there is a lot more Troy has to offer that you may not know about right off the bat.”
Welcome Week wraps up on August 23rd. Those on the Welcome Week Committee encourage students to continue to get out there and make the best out of their college experience.
“Don’t be scared to go out and do new things that you probably wouldn’t do on your own,” Nobles said. “Get out of your comfort zone and try new things because you never know what you may learn or experience.”
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