As a key part of our mission, the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is a champion for local business. What does that mean? It means we work hard to amplify the importance of supporting locally owned businesses and we encourage consumers to shop locally – in a variety of ways.

We have noticed recently that when one business closes it garners a lot of attention. Those situations are always unfortunate, and we understand it’s a hard position for the business owner and for the employees.

At the same time, we have noticed that business openings may not always get the same amount of attention. That’s where we have tried to step in. The Chamber of Commerce is ready, willing, and able to help promote grand openings for local businesses throughout Chautauqua County. These moments of celebration after a new businessperson has worked feverishly to get their new place in working order and ready for its photo shoot is more than just heartwarming, it is an affirmation that local businesspeople are investing in Chautauqua County and in their communities.

In 2022 the Chamber helped to facilitate 35 ribbon cuttings for new businesses countywide. This year that number has swelled to 63, with three more scheduled through December. We invite local dignitaries to these events to help the business owner celebrate and invite the media to help spread the word about local startups. We also live-stream these events on our Facebook page to help immediately promote a new business and give them a direct audience.

Chautauqua County offers people of all ages a great quality of life. Whether you’re looking for year-round recreational opportunities, strong public school systems, ready access to a wide variety of arts programs, or affordable housing with minimal work commutes, you can find plenty to love about living here. The diversity of small businesses we enjoy is an integral part of that mix as well. Our small businesses, whether they are restaurants, retailers, or service providers, create a unique sense of place in our communities. As the Chamber of Commerce, all of this is worth celebrating! Our businesses create a special environment, and the growth of small business is good for our residents, visitors, and economy.

If you are opening a new business in Chautauqua County, we would be happy to assist with your grand opening. We have the large scissors and ribbon at the ready. Just fill out the online form on our website so we can get you on the schedule. You can find it at www.chautauquachamber.org/ribbon-cuttings.

Business Builder Workshop November 6: How Your Business Can Take Advantage of the 2024 Solar Eclipse

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has organized a special opportunity for local businesspeople to learn all about the total solar eclipse coming up April 8, 2024 and what it means for your local business. With an estimated 100,000 extra people expected to visit Chautauqua County for the eclipse next spring, the Business Builder Workshop is aimed at giving you the information you’ll need to promote your business and to gear up for the day. Our speakers will be Tom Traub, Chair of the Martz-Kohl Observatory Solar Eclipse Committee and NASA Eclipse Ambassador member; Noel Guttman, Chautauqua County Director of Emergency Services; and Andrew Nixon, President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau.

This workshop will be held at the JCC North Training Center, Bennett Road, Dunkirk, from 1-3pm, Monday, November 6. It is sponsored by CCVB, Chautauqua County Office of Emergency Services, Jamestown Community College, and the Martz-Kohl Observatory. Please register through the Chamber’s online calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

The upcoming eclipse is a once in a lifetime opportunity for our region, and for your business to seize the moment. We hope you can join us for this workshop.

Business After Hours at Southern Tier Brewing is November 14

Join us for a perennial favorite Business After Hours, November 14 at Southern Tier Brewing Company, 2072 Stoneman Circle, in Lakewood. Business After Hours is conveniently timed to meet your needs between workday and evening activities. It 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. This Business After Hours is sponsored by Southern Tier Brewing Company, DFT Communications, Jamestown Community College, LaBella Associates, Media One Radio Group, M&T Bank, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal, and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

The Chamber is Ready to Promote Your Business this Holiday Season

The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce has a number of initiatives for the holiday season designed to drive shoppers into small local businesses.

The Holiday Window Decorating Contest is free to enter for any locally owned business in Chautauqua County – whether you are a Chamber member or not. You must register through our web calendar by November 10 to be included. Then decorate your business and send us a photo of your completed masterpiece. The Chamber will assign a number to each participating business, will share participating businesses on social media, and will create a Google Map showing all the locations. Votes will be texted in from November 17-December 16.

The Chamber will also encourage shoppers to visit small locally owned businesses on Small Business Saturday, November 25. When they do a Facebook or Instagram check-in and tag the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce they will be entered to win ShopLocalCHQ Gift Cards. By checking in, it helps to promote the small businesses where customers are shopping for Small Business Saturday. Each check-in will result in an additional entry, so the more small businesses you visit the more times you can enter the contest.

The Mayville-Chautauqua region will be holding a Holiday Open House November 18 – December 2, featuring a punch card that will help to bring customers to local retailers, and in Westfield the Chamber is organizing a Holiday Cookie Tour for December 16 and local businesses can sign up.

To find all the details and get your business included, visit our Chamber online calendar.