Chamber Chat

Lauren Cohen, Co-Owner of San Juan Canvas & Chamber Board President shares this month’s Chamber Chat…

Penny & Don Torkington, Gail & Randy Schnee and Tracy James – Contributed photo

February Social
Great thanks go out to Penny & Don Torkington of Sundries Court, Gail & Randy Schnee of Cotton, Cotton, Cotton and Tracy James of Eagle Mortgage for hosting this month’s Chamber of Commerce social. Sundries Court (formerly Jeri’s Mall) looks so beautiful and is a “must see” if you have not been in there since the remodel. It was wonderful to have Gail & Randy as well as Tracy open up their business spaces which also look fantastic. There was a great turnout of member businesses. The socials are a nice opportunity to meet fellow business owners/managers, hear updates and learn what is going on in the business community. The businesses of Sundries Court are certainly in for a busy season ahead.

Above and Beyond
Special recognition and a big pat on the back goes out to King’s Market for going above and beyond in helping a fellow islander. An island resident had a birthday recently. Her elderly mother off island could not get there to celebrate but wanted to do something special. Not really knowing who to contact, she called King’s Market asking if they sold flowers and her daughter’s favorite cake as well as how she might get it delivered. The staff member taking the call, of their own accord, put together a gift of flowers, cake and a special note and delivered it to the home of the birthday girl outside of town. How sweet is that? Now that is customer service and kindness above and beyond. Yay to King’s and the wonderful staff member that was so very thoughtful.

Note: If anyone has a story about one of our Chamber business members going “above and beyond” in customer service or kindness, please let us know at the Chamber so we can recognize them and say thanks!

It has been quite a soggy February. We hope that business is going well during these winter months. The Chamber Board of Directors and Staff would like to encourage all members to take a few moments to open up the messages you receive from your Chamber of Commerce. All of us in business are bombarded by information on a daily basis and often respond by ignoring it which we completely understand. Just keep in mind that your Chamber wants to promote, advocate for and provide information to you and your business. We want you to have access to everything we can possibly offer you. It would just be great to have you all keep up to date by taking a quick look at the messages sent out.

Featured Member
Congratulations to Cathy Kromer, owner of A Place To Play in Friday Harbor for being our randomly selected Featured Member of the Month. Opening in the summer of 2014, A Place to Play has developed a wonderful reputation as a location parents “must” take their small children whether visiting San Juan Island or for locals. It is a wonderful space that looks a lot like a children’s museum filled with creative play areas, imaginative activities and fabulous toys. Parents can relax while their children have a great time. Cathy also hosts birthday parties, family gatherings and provides child care during “Saturday Date Nights”. Feel free to contact Cathy with any questions. She is always happy to help. A Place To Play is located at 55 Spring Street 378-0378 www.aplacetoplay.biz Email: info [@] aplacetoplay.biz

New Members
Welcome to the following new Chamber of Commerce members.

• Spaulding Studios- Lewis & Nancy Spaulding
  Lewis and Nancy are both long time artists who have worked in many different mediums. Nancy now does pastels and Lewis is a photographer and produces encaustic pieces. Their home studio is often open to the public and is located at 1713 Cattle Point Road. Check out their website and some of their work at www.spaulding-studio.com or call them at 378-5594
• Petals and Twist- Leslie Ginnes
  Leslie does wedding flowers, design and planning. She is located on Orcas but happy to work with San Juan Island brides. Leslie has an incredible sense of design honed by a long career in the film industry and inspired by life in the San Juan Islands. Check out her website at www.petalsandtist.com or call her at 376-3737. She can be found at 597 Lindsay Way in Eastsound.
• Holman Land Surveying, Inc. – Andy Holman
  Andy is a third generation surveyor so knows this business inside and out. Holman surveying provides an extensive list of surveying services so can surely meet any need that you might have. Contact them with questions or for a quote. www.holmansurveying.com or 378-0338. Email: andy [@] holmansurveying.com

BOSS Meetings
BOSS (Business Owners Sharing Solutions) meetings continue on Wednesday February 24 at 5:30 in Becki’s office. We want to make sure that all of our member businesses are taking advantage of every benefit offered by the Chamber of Commerce. Please come to one of the BOSS meetings with Becki to learn about setting up or updating your personal Traffic Catch Page which is your own webpage within the Chamber’s site. Learn how to take advantage of weekly Member Messages to promote your business. Do you have rack cards in the Visitors Center? Do they need updating? There are always great ideas created at these meetings so contact Becki at the Chamber today to register.

What Else Is Coming Up?
Visitor’s Guide– All member businesses will be listed in our new Visitor’s Guide which will include a map of the island with a town inset. Businesses will also have the opportunity to be on the map and also to advertise in the guide. Keep an eye out for further details coming from the Chamber soon

San Juan Islander App– Becki has been sending out some information on a new app that has been created for businesses in the San Juan Islands. It is free to participate this first year so take advantage of the advertising and exposure possibilities.

The Great Islands Clean Up– This year the event will be on Saturday, April 23 from 9:00-12:00. Everyone is invited on San Juan, Orcas and Lopez Islands to pick up trash along the roads and beaches. You can participate as an individual, family, large group or business. Roadside pick up is being coordinated by David Dehlendorf who can be reached at 378-1082 or dauffa [@] gmail.com. Beach clean up is being coordinated by Jana Marks who can be reached at 378-2319 or jana [@] sanjuans.org. Come on out and keep our islands beautiful!

Chamber Quarterly Luncheon- The next quarterly luncheon will be on Monday, April 11 at Brickworks. Specifics to be announced. It would be great to see every member business represented. Put is on your calendar.

Until next month……cheers!

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