The weather is changing and spring is here! For many of us, that sends us into our yards as we recover from any winter damage and get ready for the summer outdoor season ahead. Whether you’re an avid do-it-yourselfer, a beginning weekend warrior, or just looking to hire someone to do the heavy lifting for you, you can find what you need from local businesses.

Maybe you’re in the market for a new lawnmower, need some better garden tools, want to add some new shrubs, or are creating a container garden, you’ll find what you need at local businesses right here in Chautauqua County. The Chamber’s online Business Directory features a drop-down list of categories that will help you locate a local Chamber member business to meet your needs. In addition to our pre-set category listings, you can search for a keyword in our Business Directory and find a business that can help.

Garden centers, greenhouses and nurseries will be fully stocked in the weeks ahead. For your planting needs, check out Brigiotta’s Farmland or Peterson Farms in Jamestown, Haff Acres in Mayville, or Westfield Nursery in Westfield.

Local hardware stores offer all types of building materials, tools, paint and supplies, and often sell grills and outdoor furniture too. Try ADD Lumber in Dunkirk, Irving or Westfield, Everyday’s True Value, Jamestown Pro Hardware, or Runnings in Jamestown, Service Hardware in Dunkirk, Stewart’s Mayville Hardware, or Tractor Supply in Westfield.

Landscapers and lawn care companies offer a variety of services. You can try Bloomquist’s Landscaping in Jamestown, Chautauqua Hydroseeding or Loomis Landscaping in Bemus Point, Greenbriar Property management in Dewittville, R & R Landscaping in Mayville, or Turftenders in Fredonia. In addition, Stone & Outdoor Living Center in Bemus Point can provide supplies and installation for hardscaping, outdoor grills, patio heaters, and more.

Lawn tractors and other equipment are available through 3 Seas Recreation in Mayville, LandPro Equipment in Falconer, Larry Romance & Son in Sheridan, and ROCKTerra in Westfield.

If you are doubting your green thumb ability, Cornell Cooperative Extension hosts the Master Gardener program, which offers a help line to address your gardening questions. You can call them at (716) 664-9502 ext. 224. It’s a free service from the Master Gardener program.

If you have bigger projects that may be beyond your DIY capacity, please check our online Business Directory for lists of contractors and other building tradespeople.

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is proud to count a wide variety of businesses among its more than 900 members throughout our county. They are in business to serve you and welcome your outreach.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT PEARL CITY HOPS APRIL 13

Business After Hours at Pearl City Hops in Jamestown is coming up April 13. This event will be held in the beautiful first floor lounge space at the DoubleTree by Hilton on Fourth Street.

The Chamber organizes Business After Hours events as a relaxed way for local businesspeople to network with others while they enjoy complimentary appetizers and a cash bar. These events run from 5-6:30pm, giving you plenty of time to stop in and enjoy some refreshments and networking, and still have your evening to yourself. We encourage all Chamber member businesses to attend – no matter what type of business you have – and also encourage non-members to sample the event to see what we have to offer.

Business After Hours at Pearl City Hops is sponsored by DFT Communications, Pearl City Hops, Media One Radio Group, The Post-Journal, and OBSERVER. Each Chamber member business can send two people at no cost to each Business After Hours. Any employees above the two-person limit, or non-members, are welcome at $10 each. Advanced registration is not required but is requested for our planning purposes. You can sign up now through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.

CHAMBER STATE LEGISLATIVE BREAKFAST IS

APRIL 28

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce State Legislative Breakfast will be held Friday, April 28 at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. State Senator George Borrello and Assemblyman Andrew Goodell will be our guests for a discussion session with moderator John D’Agostino from the Observer. We urge you to come prepared with questions for our state elected representatives. Advanced registration is required and is open now on the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org.

This event is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System/Kaleida Health, Chautauqua Suites Meeting & Expo Center, DFT Communications, Jamestown Mattress, LaBella Associates, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and the Small Business Development Center. Check-in will begin at 8:00am with a buffet breakfast prepared, and the program will begin promptly at 8:30am. We ask that all attendees visit the buffet line before the program begins. The price is $22 for Chamber members or $26 for non-members. Sign up now or save the date and watch our calendar as we confirm venues and dates for many other events in the year ahead!

FIRST FRIDAYS BEGIN MAY 5

First Fridays are back this year in Westfield! Starting Friday, May 5, this street fair event will be held in downtown Westfield, organized by the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber Committee. The theme for this season-opener is Cinco de Mayo! First Friday runs from 5-8pm and is fun for the whole family, with businesses staying open, vendors offering food and more, and entertainment. If you want to be a vendor or a sponsor, you can easily sign up online through our web calendar at www.chautauquachamber.org or for more information contact Community Chamber Coordinator Staunzie Grady at sgrady@chqchamber.org or at (716) 484-1101 ext. 300.

Additional First Fridays for 2023 will be held June 2, July 7, August 4, September 1, and October 6.