Love Local Mystery Bus Tour generates $15,000 for Valley’s economy

For the MVI

The Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce kicked off the holiday season in high spirits with its annual Love Local Mystery Bus Tour on Nov. 8.

Nearly 80 women boarded the bus for a day of fun, shopping, and community connection — all while supporting local small businesses throughout the Mon Valley region.

The event generated an estimated $15,000 in local economic impact — in just one day. The Mystery Bus Tour, one of the chamber’s most anticipated annual events, highlights the importance of shopping small and keeping dollars within the community.

“Our small businesses are the backbone and the glue that hold our towns together,” said Mon Valley Regional Chamber Executive Director Leanna Spada. “Every year, this event reminds us how strong and generous our community truly is. We’re overwhelmed — in the best way — by the outpouring of support for our local shops, vendors, and sponsors.”

This year’s tour featured stops at Prima Diva Boutique, Resonate Yoga, Reiki and Wellness, Joseph’s Nursery, Creative Elegance, Vintage & Vines, and Heritage Wine Cellar. Participants also enjoyed a vendor show at Dee’s Event Center featuring a variety of local artisans and entrepreneurs.

The chamber extended a special thank-you to Lock 4 for catering lunch and to Keystone Bakery for donating delicious donuts to start the day.

Local vendors added even more excitement to the experience, including: Winslow Winery, By George, Vintage Grace Boutique, Dee’s Cricket, Martin’s Catering, Christina’s Cakes, Grain & Grackle, Nicole Chabola with Mary Kay, Sweet Swirl, Pretty Hydrated, SheLoves Collection, and Forgotten Glass Candle Co. and Lanette Bachetti.

The chamber also expressed deep gratitude to all swag bag sponsors for providing thoughtful gifts that made guests feel appreciated, as well as to the many raffle prize donors whose generosity added extra fun to the day: PNC Bank, Rostraver, Stoney’s Brewing, Douglas Education Center, MVRCC Board, All Season’s Travel, Dairy Queen of North Charleroi, Sweet Swirl, Christina Cakes, Forgotten Glass Company, realtor Deb Puglia, She Loves Collection, Color Street Nails (Georgia Rippel), Mary Kay (Nicole Chabola), Grain & Grackle Bakery, Washington County Commissioner Electra Janis, Granted Access LLC, Resonate, Reiki, Wellness & Yoga, By George, Vintage Grace Boutique, Pretty Hydrated and media sponsor, the Mon Valley Independent. “The outpouring of generosity, kindness, and enthusiasm we see each year truly captures what makes the Mon Valley special,” Spada added. “When we invest in our small towns, we’re really investing in each other — and that’s what this event is all about.”

The Mon Valley Regional Chamber extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone who participated, supported, and contributed to making this year’s Love Local Mystery Bus Tour such a joyful success.

For more information about the Mon Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce or upcoming community events, visit www. monvalleychamber.com or follow the chamber on Facebook.