The Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce hosted their new event, “What Women Want,” Thursday evening to a crowd of ladies.

Mary Droste, the owner of the interior designer company M. Droste, had a booth at the event.

Droste, an interior designer for 30 years, said she heard about the event because she is a member of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce.

Droste said the event was good for her businesses considering her business is mostly word-of-mouth.

Cindy White, the execute director of the Charleston Area Chamber of Commerce, said she was pleasantly surprised with the turnout of the event.

White said the exposure is good for the chamber, as well as making local businesses accessible to people.

“That’s part of our mission,” White said.

Angie Howard, of Toldeo, said she was there for the event because she is part of First Financial Bank, which is only a couple blocks away from the event at Unique Suites Hotel.

“We thought we would have a girls day out,” Howard said.

Mary McMechan, of Greenup, said she came to the event with the friends and really enjoyed it.

“I think it is very nice,” McMechan said, “There are a lot of ladies here.”

Pam Waddell, an employee at Twice is Nice in Charleston, said the event was good for business.

“It is just a fun, exciting night to network and get your name out there,” Waddell said.

Waddell said Twice is Nice is a consignment shop that features current items with a previous owner.

“We have high standards,” Waddell said. She also said she brought various summer-related items to showcase at the event.

Stacey Harris, a consultant for Tastefully Simple, said this was the first business expo she has been to.

“It’s amazing,” Harris said. “I think it’s a huge turnout.”

Harris said she sells Tastefully Simple cooking items, which are cooking items that need no more than two ingredients to fix.

Harris said she brought the summer collection to the expo, which she said was all about the barbecue.

Brittany McGrath, of Charleston, said she was impressed with the event.

“It’s just a fun girls thing to do,” McGrath said.

Sue Legrand, of Mattoon, said she attended the event with her friends for her birthday and she said she thought the event was amazing.

“I love the turn out and I love the space,” Legrand said. “It’s darling.”

Kathryn Richter can be reached at 581-2812 or kjrichter@eiu.edu