Ann Arbor's South Side Business District hosted its first Business Expo June 12, attracting 54 attendees.

Ann Arbor Carpet and Fine Floors was one of the participating businesses in a recent expo put on by the South Side Business District.

Photos courtesy of the SSBD

Proceeds from exhibit fees and donations totaling $1,000 were collected to support Huron Valley Ambulance’s free Camp 911 program. Camp 911 is a day camp for 8- to 12-year-olds where campers learn CPR and first aid, tour an ambulance, and visit a local emergency room.

Children at the expo check out a miniature ambulance brought by Huron Valley Ambulance.

Business exhibits for AirGas, Andrews Office Warehouse, Wolverine Sports and Zingerman’s Bakehouse were set up in the grass near HVA’s headquarters on State Circle, along with an ambulance on display and a chance for children to meet Andy the Ambulance.

A martial arts demo was part of a recent expo put on by the South Side Business District.

Visitors then walked or took courtesy rides donated by Enterprise Rent-A-Car to other participating businesses: Ann Arbor Carpets and Fine Floors, arborMotion, BodySpecs, Japanese Martial Arts Center and The Scrap Box. The expo also included giveaways, special offers and coupons. Door prizes totaling more than $2,000 were donated by the  participating businesses along with Stonebridge Golf Club.

A demonstration of the equipment at Body Specs.

The South Side Business District (SSBD) was created in January and meets monthly. The group consists of more than 20 participating businesses and services located south of the I-94 overpass, including State Street, State Circle, Ellsworth Road, Airport Road and Oak Valley Drive. SSBD’s mission is to work together to promote each other’s businesses and support economic development in the area.

Interested south side business representatives can learn more at the SSBD's next meeting at 7:30 a.m. July 1, hosted by Skip Bunton at Body Specs, 749 Airport Blvd.