City Furniture hosted the Merritt and District Chamber of Commerce's monthly Business after Business meet-and-greet Wednesday evening, one of the most successful yet.

Karen Irving, the chamber of commerce's general manager, said in an interview Thursday, “Last night was the biggest one we had in about two years.”

She estimated that between 85 and 100 people attended Business after Business.

“He (City Furniture owner Das Kandola) bought food for a hundred and I'm pretty sure it all went.”

Each month, a chamber of commerce member hosts Business after Business event at their office or store.

Irving said members often volunteer to host Business after Business if they are unveiling a new product or service.

New businesses may also hold the events as part of their grand opening.

Both the public and chamber members are welcome at Business after Business, which is also a networking opportunity for the chamber's 179 member businesses.

Irving said attendance at Wednesday's event far surpassed figures at past meet-and-greets, at least in her 18 months working for the chamber.

“We've had as little as 10 and up to 30, but this was the biggest I've seen.”

City Furniture introduced several new lines of solid wood, Canadian-made furniture at the store on Wednesday.

The event also featured a variety of draws for prizes donated by City Furniture, like several $100 gift certificates, and chamber members, including advertising packages from the Merritt News, Merritt Herald, and Q101

“He gave a lot of stuff away,” Irving said of Kandola.

“The chamber really appreciates his efforts.”

Promotion was key to the successful evening, she added.

“He also made a point of handing out invitations and I think that's why he had such a good turnout.”