Lakewood neighbors and local businesses gathered for the Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce’s inaugural event Building Blocks held on April 20 at Caddo Office Reimagined.

Nearly 200 guests attended the family-friendly evening which was free and open to the public with food, drinks, door prizes and wares from local vendors. Local businesses had displays and special offers for attendees. Adult beverages were provided by Times Ten Cellars and White Rock Alehouse along with food samplings from CAVA, DELEON PROVISIONS, Scalini’s Pizza, and BarNone, among others. DJ Deluxe Mark Ridlen played rocking tunes providing a festive atmosphere for the evening. Local businesses included Lantana Studios Photography, Chisholm Trail Financial Group, Fold Studios, Charlie's Treats - Kid Made, Kid Owned, Mood Virtual Contractors, Free My Music, Adams Keegan-Payroll, Benefits, Advisory; IHC Specialty Benefits, Lakewood Dental Studio, Juliette Fowler Communities, Life in the Hills, SleepCreme, and White Rock Lake Weekly.

Mark Ramsey, chair for the event, leads the Chamber’s Live Local East Dallas committee which works on projects such as this to event to support local small business owners. This was the first of several of these planned for different areas of East Dallas.

“I had several people tell me that this was one of the best events that they've been to in a long time,” said Chamber Chairman Brad Grist. “Several more indicated that it was events like this that were why they joined the East Dallas Chamber.”

For information about the Chamber visit www.eastdallaschamber.com.