This past Saturday, Sept. 21 the South Jersey Vendor Showcase made a comeback after not happening last year. The event took place in the Chamberlain Student Center and many local businesses showcased their products for students on campus. The event also included free food and giveaways for attendees present.

Aleeyah Oliphant-Jean is the Assistant Director of Rowan After Hours (RAH) and special events at Rowan University. Oliphant-Jean is also the organizer of the South Jersey Vendor Showcase. Although Oliphant-Jean has only been at Rowan for just over one year, she is involved in many different events on campus. Oliphant-Jean is also a Rowan alumni.

“It’s good to know what’s happening around Glassboro and what businesses are around Glassboro. I wish I had an event like this when I was a student. So I am happy that we’re able to bring this event to fruition and allow students to be able to learn about the vendors that are here,” said Oliphant-Jean. 

One of the local businesses presented at the event was Grand Master Kutz Barbershop, who were not only there to inform students about their business but were also giving away free haircuts.

Owner of the barbershop Sly Handy has been coming to the South Jersey Vendor Showcase for many years and spoke on what it means to advertise it to students.

“It means a lot to me, it is a great privilege. I like to give back to the community, and like to do things for students here, give discounts for them and that way they get their haircuts and have a place to go to instead of looking around so far,” Handy said. 

Steven Mazaki is the center manager at ABO Plasma in Glassboro. Mazaki was present to show the importance of getting the opportunity to showcase a business that may not be as well known to students.

“Rowan always seems to be a good promoting opportunity. So it’s a way to increase awareness on plasma donation and hopefully recruit some donors,” Mazaki said. 

Trifecta Therapeutics is a physical therapy company who have been attending Rowan events since 2019. Cameron Meiswinkel is the operations manager for Trifecta Therapeutics. He gave his view on the importance of using the showcase to not only build connections as a business manager but also what it means for students interested in the physical therapy field.

“Making connections goes a long way and putting in the extra work goes above and beyond. It’s not enough to do the bare minimum. You really have to stand out,” Meiswinkel said. 

A part of the many businesses present was a local store by the name of Cali Shakes, a smoothie and juice bar that was founded by Rowan alumni Vasili Galanos. Galanos spoke on the impact of this showcase and what it means to showcase his business

“This school has grown tremendously. With that being said, it’s very important to be here and make your business present. Every year there is new students coming in, it’s a fresh set of eyes that don’t know the area, that don’t know the local businesses, so to me it’s important anytime I hear this event’s going on, I definitely want to do it to out there,” Galanos said. 

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