Thursday, October 1, 2026
Local entrepreneurs and professionals will have an opportunity to connect directly with the community when the inaugural Small Business Showcase comes to Oceanside this fall.
The event, organized by Baldwin business owner Regina Finkelstein, along with her husband Jeff, will take place on Oct. 8, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post on Lawson Boulevard. Admission is free, and the showcase will feature 22 local businesses representing a wide range of industries, from health care and financial services to home improvement, travel and retail.
Finkelstein, who owns Doctor Promo, a printing and promotional products company, said the idea grew out of her own experiences attending business expos throughout Long Island.
"Most of the events I've attended are in Melville, Huntington or farther east," she said. "There really hasn't been anything like this in our area where local businesses and professionals can come together and show the community what's available right here in their own backyard."
Rather than filling the room with multiple businesses from the same field, Finkelstein designed the event so each exhibitor represents a different profession. She said that approach will give visitors a broader experience while allowing every business an equal opportunity to connect with potential customers.
"We wanted people to walk in and see something different at every table," she said. "It's about introducing people to the variety of businesses we have locally."
Planning for the showcase began only a few months ago after Finkelstein attended another business expo in April and realized there was a need for a similar event closer to home. She first invited members of her weekly networking group, offering them an early opportunity to reserve exhibit space.
The response exceeded expectations.
All 22 vendor spaces sold out within a few months, and Finkelstein said she has already started a waiting list of businesses interested in participating.
"If the vendors are happy and the community enjoys it, we'd absolutely like to make this an annual event," she said. "We'll see how this first one goes and hopefully continue to grow."
Finkelstein said supporting locally owned businesses is especially important as more consumers turn to online retailers and services.
"The internet has changed the way people shop," she said. "But there's something you can't replace about meeting someone face to face, asking questions and building relationships with local business owners. These are small businesses, many of them family-run, and they're part of our community."
The first 100 attendees will receive complimentary canvas tote bags filled with promotional materials and giveaways from participating businesses. Free coffee and bagels will also be available throughout the morning.
Participating exhibitors include Abril Acupuncture, Aflac, Aides at Home, Allstate, Blinds Fabric Shades World, Bracha Designs, CarJoy, Comprehensive Aesthetix, Cruise Planners, DoctorPromo, Halesite, Lion's Den Law, Mary Kay, Park Assets, Restorative Massage Therapy, Ridgewood Bank, Sammartino & Sultan Law Group, Shop.com, Smart Tax, South Nassau Chiropractic, The Roots of Finance and We Fix 516.
Finkelstein hopes the event will become a community tradition that not only helps small businesses grow but also encourages residents to discover the products and services available close to home.
"We're local, we're accessible and we're here," she said. "Sometimes the best businesses are the ones right around the corner."
