By now you have probably had at least one friend who proclaims they are ready for “pumpkins spice everything.” So, while the calendar says it’s still summer, the air is cooler in the morning, the sun is setting earlier, and the kids are back at school. Fall is knocking on the door, and we are about to let it in with an array of autumn colors and the scents of apple cider and ripened grapes.

What does all this mean for your business? It means transitioning, not just your merchandise and dÈcor, but also your mindset. It also means preparing for the season to come: Christmas. Yes, we said it. Many large chains are already stocking holiday merchandise, and even if you aren’t in the business of selling Christmas tree ornaments, we urge you to consider what your holiday sales will look like this year.

The economic changes facing our nation are very present locally. That means consumer spending may be down during the traditional holiday shopping season. We have heard from more than one local retailer recently that has already seen a shift in what customers are buying. For those who sell mainly high-end products, they have seen customers seeking some more mid-range items. For those who sell mid-range products, customers may be shopping only discounted items.

Inflation has hit all of us and intertwined with that are on-going supply chain troubles. As you prepare for Christmas sales ahead, we encourage you to act quickly to order the merchandise you need and want, and the consider diversifying your stock so you’ll have options for consumers as they make challenging decisions for Christmas buying.

The Chamber of Commerce has ramped up its Shop Small, Shop Local efforts in the past few years. Small local businesses are the heart of our local communities and our economy. This year we will boost those efforts even more as we get closer to Small Business Saturday, November 26. Launched by American Express to encourage consumers to patronize small locally owned retailers, Small Business Saturday is a further opportunity to showcase the plethora of unique and interesting businesses right here in Chautauqua County. Stay tuned for details in the weeks ahead as the Chamber increases its Small Business Saturday efforts this year. In the meantime, enjoy your pumpkin spice latte.

CHAMBER

TO HOST CONGRESSIONAL BREAKFAST

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is pleased to present an opportunity to meet with our new Congressional Representative, Joe Sempolinski, Friday, September 23 at 8:30am at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown. Mr. Sempolinski is filling a vacancy left by the resignation of former Congressman Tom Reed in the existing New York 23rd Congressional District. In addition to serving as the chair of the Republican Party of Steuben County, he formerly served as the head of the New York State based Congressional staff for the 23rd District. The Chamber’s Congressional Breakfast is sponsored by Advanced Manufacturing Technology, Brooks-TLC-Kaleida Hospital System, DFT Communications, Forecon, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Mattress Company, LaBella Associates, the Law Offices of Sheila Starkey Hahn, Moon Brook Country Club, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, Small Business Development Center, and UPMC Chautauqua. The cost to attend the breakfast is $20 for Chamber members or $25 for non-members. Please reserve your spot online through the Chamber’s event calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org by September 16.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS

AT BEMUS POINT GOLF CLUB & TAP HOUSE SEPTEMBER 27

Join your fellow Chamber of Commerce members for a Business After Hours networking event and visit this charming spot in Bemus Point! The Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House is at 72 Main Street in Bemus Point. Enjoy appetizers and a cash bar while you network with other businesspeople. Chamber member businesses can send two people at no cost. The price is $10 for non-member businesspeople or for additional member attendees above the two free. Be sure to bring business cards for our door prize drawings and come prepared to give a quick (30 second) overview about your business so other attendees can get to know you. Sponsors for this event are Bemus Point Golf Club & Tap House, DFT Communications, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Register now through the Chamber’s web event calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org. We look forward to seeing you there!

CHAMBER

AWARDS

BANQUET IS

OCTOBER 6

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce will proudly recognize the service to our communities of a number of individuals and organizations during its Annual Awards Banquet, Thursday, October 6. Being honored as Person of the Year is Steven Cobb, the executive director of the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County. In his role he has not only grown the organization but has played a key roll in providing vital service to those in need by working collaboratively with a broad variety of people and organizations.

\The Economic Development Award will be presented to the Small Business Development Center at Jamestown Community College, which has dramatically increased the number of businesses it serves annually from 350 to 800. The SBDC provides help for small businesses looking to draft business plans, navigate permitting processes, seek financing, and more.

Each of our six Community Chambers of Commerce has named a Community Service Award recipient as well. In Dunkirk the award will go to Dan Palmer of WDOE radio; in Fredonia to Ian and Kyle Muldowney of Muldowney Brothers; in Hanover to Bill Merritt of Merritt Estate Winery, in Jamestown to Tom Benson primarily for his work with the National Comedy Center and the YMCA; in Mayville-Chautauqua to Fairlee Fischer for her efforts with the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Thrift Store; and in Westfield-Barcelona to former Chamber Coordinator Sue Poster for her countless efforts with community organizations over the years.

The Annual Awards Banquet will be held at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia and is sponsored by Ahlstrom Schaeffer Electric, Brooks-TLC-Kaleida Hospital System, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, Community Bank, DFT Communications, Forecon, Jamestown Community College, Jamestown Mattress, LaBella Associates, Lake Shore Savings, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, Media One Radio Group, and National Grid. Advance reservations are required, and registration is available at www.chamberrsvp.org.