We launch this long holiday weekend with enormous gratitude. The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce staff and board are thankful for the outpouring of community support for our grand opening and ribbon cutting on Thursday, August 31. We were delighted to host 100 people as we officially opened our refurbished space at 300 North Main Street in Jamestown.

First and foremost, we are grateful to the Gebbie Foundation. As the owner of this prime real estate at the corner of Third and Main Streets, the Gebbie Foundation recognized a community need and began working closely with the Chamber of Commerce to bring resources and amenities into the heart of downtown Jamestown. The building is now fresh, clean, and inviting as not only the offices for the Chamber, but also as a Visitor Information Center.

Like many projects, strong collaborations and a positive vision were critical. Stretching back to 2019, the Chamber of Commerce began looking for a new office location and quickly connected with the Gebbie Foundation to explore opportunities in locating in the downtown business core. Partnerships expanded as the project vision expanded of what could be offered in this critical downtown space, and through these discussions with support from the Gebbie Foundation, the Chamber offices and Visitor Information Center were transformed into a showpiece downtown.

Kudos to the talented visionaries and local companies who worked on this project: Keri Belovarac of Bemus Bay Architecture and Carrie Edwards, interior designer. Desmond Construction worked diligently on the interior construction as well as demolition and reconstruction of the façade. Additional contractors involved were Todd Eckstrom Services for interior painting, ceiling work, and inside details; Brian Hokanson, electrician; JMI for plumbing; Allied Alarm for security enhancement; and 360 Graphics for building signage with installation by Trinity Electric.

Gebbie Foundation CEO Greg Edwards noted, “We had what was maybe the ugliest building in downtown Jamestown and with tremendous efforts the designers and builders have been able to turn it into one of the nicest. We are proud that the Chamber has been our partner in helping to turn this vision into a reality to meet the needs of our tourists and local businesses as well.”

We also want to express thanks to the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau and Forge Ahead Promotions as our partners in helping to outfit this beautiful space as a visitor information center. We are pleased to have also worked closely with Jamestown Renaissance Corporation and the City of Jamestown Department of Development to focus on the specific needs for a downtown visitor center, and for partnership on addressing the needs of downtown businesspeople.

Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist noted that the Chamber space was just one of several rehab projects going on downtown this summer, “The outstanding investments being made by so many businesses and organizations into downtown buildings really create an inviting atmosphere not only for visitors, but for residents of Jamestown and surrounding communities.”

We also want to thank Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, and County Executive PJ Wendel for participating in our ribbon cutting event and offering congratulatory remarks.

Johnson Estate Winery, with owner Fred Johnson himself pouring, provided wine tastings for the event. Southern Tier Brewing with bartender Patti Culliton provided beer and cocktail tastings. A grazing table curated by Katie Swerdon of Mable Roads and featuring sweet treats by Persnikkity Pies won rave reviews from our guests not only for the delicious foods, but also for the outstanding presentation.

The Chamber of Commerce is a countywide business association. This refreshed space in Jamestown gives us a comfortable landing zone for the work we do countywide. With a satellite office still available at Jamestown Community College in Dunkirk, with staff spread countywide in a variety of communities, and with events we carefully schedule at numerous venues, we serve all local businesses to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses throughout Chautauqua County.

HOPS & POPS IS SEPTEMBER 15

Our Community Chamber Committees in Dunkirk and Fredonia are holding their second annual Hops & Pops event September 15 at the Beaver Club in Fredonia. This event is open to the entire community and will be held from 5:30-7:30. Tickets are $20 per person and will get you beer and wine tastings, appetizers, as well as entries into the cash prize and other drawings to be held throughout the evening. Hops & Pops is sponsored by Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Farrell Roofing, National Grid, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, KeyBank, DFT Communications, AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, Cattaraugus County Bank, Community Bank, and HBKS Wealth Management. You can buy tickets through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chqchamber.org. Proceeds support scholarship funds for the Chamber in Dunkirk and Fredonia.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT GRACE & ABE’S SEPTEMBER 21

After a summer hiatus, the Chamber of Commerce is pleased to get back into the business of creating direct business-to-business connections. Our first fall Business After Hours will be held Thursday, September 21 at Grace & Abe’s 14 North Portage Street, Westfield. Join us from 5-6:30pm for complimentary appetizers and a cash bar and remember to bring your business cards for networking. This Business After Hours event is sponsored by Grace & Abe’s, AHN Westfield Memorial Hospital, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal. Chamber member organizations are invited to bring two guests at no charge. Non-members or any guests above the complimentary limit pay just $10 each. Registration is not required but is appreciated for our planning purposes. You can sign up through the Chamber’s web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.