There’s no question that the pandemic was a game-changer for small businesses. But if it sparked one good thing, it was an obvious desire to support locally owned businesses – from restaurants to retail to service providers. Throughout Chautauqua County we have witnessed dozens of new businesses opening in the past three years as more people determined they would live their dream of being their own boss and opening their own business.

At the same time, the Chamber has witnessed a dramatic growth in the number of businesses accepting our ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card. Our merchant list increased by over 28% last year and we continue to add participating businesses this year.

One thing that has declined is the usage and participation in our Shop Where I Live program. Established as a direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, this program was designed to fill a direct need to provide alternative options to local retailers who had no or limited online sales experience. The program peeked during the 2020 holiday shopping season and has seen a steady decline in sales since that time, despite our attempts to market it in new and creative ways.

After exhaustive research into how our local member businesses get the best return on their investment with the Chamber, we have decided to sunset the online marketplace with Shop Where I Live, effective October 15. It has become clear that the Chamber’s ShopLocalCHQ Gift Card program provides a much stronger return at this time, and we will continue to heavily promote the Gift Card and our local participating businesses.

If your business has been part of the online marketplace but is not actively enrolled in our Gift Card program, we urge you to sign up before the holiday season. Most of our Gift Card sales occur each year between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, and each of those cards goes to the recipient along with a list of the businesses where they can be redeemed. The Gift Card program is free for members to participate, included with your membership.

If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at dheitzenrater@chqchamber.org. The Chamber works hard to make sure our members are receiving high quality services and a return on their investment, and we are always open to discussion with our member businesses on how we can best serve their needs.

REGISTRATION EXTENDED THROUGH MONDAY FOR CHAMBER AWARDS BANQUET

There is still some space remaining, and registration has been extended through Monday for the Chamber of Commerce Annual Awards Banquet. The event will be held Thursday, October 5 at the Williams Center at SUNY Fredonia. The social hour begins at 6pm, with a buffet dinner at 7 to be followed by the awards program.

Being honored as Person of the Year is Greg Peterson, an attorney with Phillips Lytle who has been actively involved in the community as one of the founders of the Robert H. Jackson Center and as a key member of Jamestown Community Baseball and founder of the Tarp Skunks. The Economic Development Award will be presented to the Chautauqua County Partnership for Economic Growth. CCPEG brings together more than 65 partner organizations from throughout the county to focus on business development, placemaking, workforce development, housing development, and infrastructure. Each of our six Community Chamber Committees has named a Community Impact Award recipient. In Dunkirk the award will go to Bridget Majka of Chautauqua County Rural Ministries; in Fredonia to DFT Communications, celebrating 125 years in business; in Hanover to Rick Klisiewicz, committee chair; in Jamestown to the Ralph C. Sheldon Foundation; in Mayville-Chautauqua to Sorena Gilkinson, committee chair; and in Westfield-Barcelona to Janese and Tom Berkhouse, who are actively involved in a number of local civic organizations.

Many thanks to our sponsors for this event: Brooks-TLC Hospital System/Kaleida Health, County of Chautauqua Industrial Development Agency, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, LaBella Associates, Lake Shore Savings Bank, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, The Post-Journal, and the Small Business Development Center. Advance reservations are required at www.chamberrsvp.org.

FIRST FRIDAY OCTOBER 6

It’s been an extraordinary year for First Friday, and there’s one more big event on tap for 2023. October 6 will be a Halloween-themed First Friday, featuring pumpkin painting for the kids as well as all of the usual businesses open, street vendors, and entertainment. Downtown Westfield comes alive for First Friday, held on the first Friday of each month during the warm season from 5-8pm. For the first time this year, Main Street in Westfield was closed to vehicle traffic to make the event even more family friendly and safer for all pedestrians. It has been a huge hit, and we hope you’ll join us for this year’s final First Friday in October.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT SPLASH IS OCTOBER 18

The Chamber of Commerce has added another Business After Hours event this fall! Join us Wednesday, October 18 at Splash, 60 Lakeside Drive, Bemus Point! This wine and tapas bar opened this year and is quickly becoming a local favorite. If you haven’t been yet this is the perfect time to try it out!

Business After Hours is designed as a networking opportunity for local businesspeople. Conveniently timed to meet your needs between workday and evening activities. The Chamber’s Business After Hours runs from 5-6:30pm, featuring appetizers, a cash bar, and a brief program that lets you know who’s who in the room. Remember to bring business cards for networking.

Chamber member businesses can send two people at no charge. For non-members or anyone above the two-person limit, the price is $10. Advance registration is not required, but is appreciated for our planning purposes. Sign up online now through our web calendar at www.chqchamber.org. Business After Hours at Splash is sponsored by Splash, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group, National Grid, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal.