Joyce McElwain said the first-ever Tarentum Business Crawl last year filled her store with new customers.

“It got my name out there to so many people who didn’t even know I was here,” said McElwain, from her Yesterday’s Kidz storefront on East Sixth Avenue.

The borough recreation board is bringing the event back in May, hoping to draw crowds to the variety of stores in the business districts.

Participating businesses are situated along East Sixth Avenue, Corbet Street and West Seventh Avenue. They include Good Hair, Dry Bones, Win Resource Center, Seita’s, Diamond Antiques, Blushing Moon, Yesterday’s Kidz, Barley, Murphy Building Authors, Poduty Podcasts, Praha and Harvest Moon.

The crawl is scheduled for 4 to 8 p.m. May 7.

“We had so many people last year that said how much fun it was and asked us to please do it again,” said Carrie Fox, councilwoman and recreation board president.

The goal of the event is to show off Tarentum, Fox said, and tout the one-of-a-kind merchandise for sale. Dry Bones, for example, sells custom tie-dyed T-shirts. Diamond Antiques is a cluster of independent vendors with trinkets, décor and handmade soaps and jewelry.

Owner Dianna Roney said she’s thrilled the event is returning.

“Anything that gets people out on the street and coming around to see what we have is a good thing,” she said.

Despite their size, small businesses are considered the backbone of the country’s economy. Small businesses make up 99.9% of all businesses nationwide, according to nonprofit USAFacts.org. They drive economic growth, job creation and community-building.

“Many people comment on not knowing of several stores and services that are located in Tarentum,” Fox said. “This is what it’s all about.”

Participants are eligible for prizes if they conduct a scavenger hunt of sorts. They can pick up a game card at a booth near the corner of Corbet Street and Fifth Avenue prior to browsing. Then, at each store, they can collect a sticker for the card and also search for the Rec Board logo and write a secret number on the card.

Fox said there are multiple ways to have a chance to win: return a full card with stickers, find the logo in each store and make a purchase.

Each stop will also have a drawing, coupons or samples.

“The hope is that everyone enjoys the evening and returns to the borough in the future,” Fox said.

Coming up

Who: Tarentum Recreation Board

What: Business Crawl

When: 4 to 8 p.m., May 7

Where: Start at Fifth Avenue and Corbet Street