multimaster

Home show proving a good draw


During the first weekend of the Pittsburgh Home & Garden Show, there was little evidence of a recession.

Vendors staffing booths at the David Lawrence Convention Center wondered if people would show up, and if they did, would they open up their wallets? But arrive and spend they did, with an amazing amount of gusto, said executive director John DeSantis.

Opening weekend didn't break attendance records, but thousands of consumers braved the cold and ponied up $10 at the door for the opportunity to check out all the latest home and garden products and services.

"It was our biggest weekend in two years," said Mr. DeSantis, "and the second weekend is always better than the first."

The show ends Sunday.

Some vendors, including Fein Power Tools, couldn't keep up with demand. Not only did the Green Tree maker of high-end profile sanders, saws and other power tools run out of literature and promotional DVDs, but attendees also snapped up an entire week's supply of $400 Multimaster Top sets.

"We didn't expect to be that busy," said trade show coordinator Tracy Nedzesky. "We ended up having four or five employees at a time instead of two."

Ms. Nedzesky said she has seen more interest in home improvement and remodeling, and once people make the decision to embark on a project, "they want to get it done faster."

Steve Erenrich of Luxury Bath of Pittsburgh in Carnegie is another who had a "phenomenal" first weekend at the home show. His booth featuring acrylic tub liners and walls enjoyed the two biggest days of foot traffic in some 20 years at the show.

Mr. Erenrich guessed that some people finally stopped listening to all the bad news about the recession.

"They've come to the conclusion that if they're going to stay away from the stock market, why not put that money in their home and enjoy it?" he said.

For others, the show was an inexpensive way to have fun with the family and feed a case of spring fever with a pretty plant, goofy cleaning product or tasty treat.

This is Jack Hugh of Tropical Forest's first year at the show selling pussy willow cuttings, but sales were so much better than expected over the weekend that he's already planning to return next year.

"Even though the economy's bad, people can still afford a $10 item that makes you feel good," said Mr. Hugh, whose cuttings sell for $10 for one bunch, $18 for two or $25 for three.

Rob Solomon, director of business development for Fudgie Wudgie in the Strip, said his company was similarly busy. Sales of its gourmet fudge, chocolate-covered pretzels and chocolate treats were up several thousand dollars this weekend, echoing the 10 percent higher sales it enjoyed at last month's custom car show at the convention center.

The annual Pittsburgh International Auto Show, which ran Feb. 12-15, also did well, with a 14 percent increase in attendance over last year, according to Denise Brennan, executive vice president/CEO of Greater Pittsburgh Automobile Dealers Association.