by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The 21st edition of Jacksonville’s Fall Home & Patio Show opens today at the Osborn Center. The Home & Patio Show is an event that has drawn people Downtown in droves for more than 40 years, first as a spring-only showcase that was held in the old Coliseum. Two decades ago an annual autumn show was added to the schedule and both exhibitions now take place each year at the convention center.
Despite the economy, or perhaps because of it, the show sold out more than a week ago and had a waiting list of potential vendors. This weekend more than 300 home product, home improvement and other service providers will open 644 booths. While much has remained the same over the years at the Home & Patio Show, visitors will notice some new faces this time around.
“One change this year is that there will be a lot more company owners at the booths than in years past,” said Show Manager Hillary Lions. “Some of the companies have downsized, so the top management will be working their booths. That’s good because the company owners are the decision makers and they can make a deal right at the show to work with someone’s budget.”
The trend toward streamlining business also affected the lineup of vendors, said Elizabeth Stockton, Home & Patio Show sales representative.
“Some of the companies that have exhibited here for years took smaller booths this year. That made room for a lot of companies that have never before been able to participate. About 50 percent of this show is new companies, so visitors will see products that haven’t been offered here before,” she added.
One of those things never before seen is an exhibit by NASA. It includes information about the International Space Station, which NASA Public Affairs Specialist Andres Adorno described as “NASA’s home in space.”
The exhibit also features an interactive element that explains common household products that were originally developed for the space program.
“Powdered baby formula is freeze-dried, which was a technology developed for nutrition in space flight. The hand-held cordless vacuum cleaner is another example,” said Adorno.
The largest exhibit at the show was constructed by HabiJax, the local affiliate of Habitat for Humanity. The 2,600 square-foot structure is a miniature version of the HabiJax ReStore at the corner of Beach and University boulevards. It’s an outlet center that sells building materials and supplies to the public at up to 60 percent off the retail price. The profits are used by Habijax to build more homes in the community.
A construction crew started building the exhibit Monday and was putting on the finishing touches yesterday afternoon. HabiJax Vice President for Real Estate and Construction Roger Cortie looked at the installation and said, “This is the biggest thing we have ever built indoors.”
The HabiJax exhibit will also offer home improvement seminars each day taught be experts in their fields.
“We have been working on the idea of bringing ReStore to the Home & Patio Show for about five months,” said HabiJax CFO Jane Southwell. “It’s part of a national Habitat for Humanity program and a way to raise money without depending on contributions.”
Show visitors will be able to purchase things like lock sets, plumbing fixtures and flooring materials as well as get an idea of what kinds of products are available at the HabiJax outlet store.
“We think this is a great opportunity to show people what ReStore is all about,” Southwell added.
Lions said advance ticket sales at www.jacksonvillehomeshows.com are 200 percent ahead of last year, probably due to the $3 discount offered for on-line purchases. A “$5 After 5 p.m.” ticket is also available on the Web site.
“And there is an express line at the gate for people who already have their tickets,” she added.
Show hours are today and Friday noon-9 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
356-2466