Chamber Chat

Tom and Mary Garrels of Harbor Song Gallery with Heidi (on Mary’s lap) – Tim Dustrude photo

Here’s this month’s Chamber Chat, written by Lauren Cohen, Co-owner San Juan Canvas, LLC and Chamber of Commerce Board President

Wow, the year sure did go by quickly. It has been a busy year of changes at your Chamber of Commerce. A new Executive Director, remodeling the visitor center, showcasing local artists, shifting focus to serving business members, improving promotion. A LOT of cleaning, seeking collaboration with government and non-profit, and re-designing events kept us moving forward through 2015. Special thanks to Becki Day and her staff for their extra hard work in this transition year.

Annual Meeting
Our annual meeting which we combined with our holiday celebration and awards presentation took place on December 9 at the Grange. It was a festive event well attended by our membership. Congratulations to this year’s award winners voted on by our Chamber members.

“The Award of Excellence” is in recognition of the San Juan Island Chamber of Commerce businesses that excel in quality service and/or products, demonstrate the Island Friend Spirit, practice the highest business ethics and exemplify enlightened customer service and staff relations.

• Services – Kris Brown of Printonyx
• Retail – Laura Norris of Griffin Bay Books
• Non-Profit – Animal Protection Society of Friday Harbor
• Arts/Galleries/Artists – Island Museum of Art
• Lodging – David Pass & Anna Maria DeFreitas or Tucker House & Harrison House
• Dining –John Hamilton of Cask & Schooner tied with Becki Day & Julie Strang of Vinny’s Ristorante
• Activities/Boating/Whale Watching/Charter – Hobbes Buchanan – San Juan Island Whale & Wildlife Tours

Congratulations to all!

New Member
We would like to welcome Harbor Song Gallery who are our newest Chamber of Commerce members. Owned by Tom and Mary Garrells. They are located at 180 First Street. Tom and Mary are both artists so stop in to check out their creations plus the other art on display. They have beautiful fine furnishings and also offer custom framing. We are happy to have them as a part of our small business community.

Featured Member
This month our featured member is The Market Chef owned by chefs Laurie Paul and Tim Barrette.

What started as a stand at our local Farmer’s Market, blossomed into a very popular restaurant that prides itself on using fresh, local ingredients and promoting local agriculture. They consistently feed us with all of their creative and inventive dishes and will also cater your special event. They are located at 225 A Street. Stop by for a bite. Oh and their cookies are fabulous too!!

New Board of Directors
The 2016 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is all set to continue the progress we have made in 2015. We will be meeting on January 4 to set goals for the coming year and create a plan to meet these goals. We welcome any and all ideas our members have for what you would like to see us work on next year. We encourage all business owners/managers to send your goals for 2016 to Becki Day at the Chamber to be presented at the first Board meeting.

Your 2016 Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors:

Lauren Cohen– San Juan Canvas: Don Cooper– CPA Lake, Kennedy, McCullough: Jim Carroll– Better Properties: Wes Corey– Valmark: Gary Franklin– Windermere: Gail Schnee– Cotton, Cotton, Cotton: Joy Sevier– San Juan Wireless: Karl Bruno– Lakedale Resort: Kris Brown– Printonyx: Mark Gardner– Photography by Mark Gardner: Yvonne Mancuso– Painting & Art Glass: Steve Hushebeck– Town Council Liaison

B.O.S.S.
“Business Owners Sharing Solutions”, the business forums started by Becki Day this fall will continue in January with a meeting for “service” providing businesses. This will take place on Thursday, January 7 at 5:30 in the Chamber of Commerce office. All members who provide services to locals and/or visitors are encouraged to attend. We would love your input and ideas. Please contact Becki at the Chamber for information.

On behalf of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, I would like to wish you all a happy, healthy holiday season and a successful, prosperous new year. Until 2016… Cheers to you!!

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