Copyright postandcourier
Nobody wants rain on their parade, but when the Summerville Italian Feast was postponed due to inclement weather, it proved an unexpected business opportunity for local vendors. Community members rallied on social media to buy unsold inventory from businesses like Charleston Mac Mama and Talucci’s Bakery, and the business owners will have another opportunity to sell their goods on the new feast date, Sunday, Nov. 16, at Hutchinson Square. “I think one of the biggest things was kind of promoting some of these other smaller businesses,” said Talucci’s Bakery owner Charles Talucci. “When my wife spoke with them, a lot of them sold out within the first hour, two hours. I think a lot of people came here after the fact.” Frankie Staropoli, a business development director who leads Beacons Mentoring and directs the Italian Feast, said he’s hoping the postponed event will draw a large crowd. “I’m hoping that we’re going to see the same turnout we do every year or more,” Staropoli said. “I’m hoping every vendor can come back. The businesses that applied for their permits will have their permits honored, so they don’t have to reapply. We’re hoping the performers can come back from the school, because we do this for the education foundation. The hope is that we’re going to see more foot traffic than we did last year, and then get to see these businesses that were fortunate enough to recoup get some more money in their pockets for the holiday season heading into Christmas. That would be a blessing as well, if these vendors can double dip.”
