Chamber Chat

This Chamber Chat for December, 2016 is written By Lauren Cohen, Co-owner San Juan Canvas, LLC and Chamber of Commerce Board President…

It is hard to believe that another full year has passed and the holiday season is upon us once again. The Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Executive Director and staff certainly hope that all of our member merchants have had a happy and prosperous year. We thank everyone in the San Juan Island community for your support of local business and hope that continues in the new year.

This month completes my term on this Chamber Board and as President. I have greatly enjoyed my time with a fantastic group of people who really care about the success of small business in our community and an exceptional Executive Director who works every day to help local merchants be successful. We, as a community, are fortunate to have business leaders willing to put in their time to make our community better.

Randy and Gail Schnee of Cotton Cotton Cotton – Tim Dustrude photo

I am happy to “pass the gavel” to Gail Schnee, owner of Cotton, Cotton, Cotton who will serve as Board President for 2017. San Juan Canvas will continue to be active members as we see our Chamber of Commerce as a partner in supporting, representing and lobbying for small business on San Juan Island. Our manufacturing business may not get the same benefits from a Chamber as a visitor dependent business does but we have never seen this organization as being for tourist businesses only. We view the Chamber as a partner who supports all merchants in creating a strong economy that is good for us all.

Cheers to all during this celebratory time of year.

Annual Meeting

Our annual meeting which we combined with our holiday celebration and awards presentation took place on December 12 at Brickworks. It was a festive event well attended by our membership. It included great food provided by many local eateries and fantastic entertainment from the San Juan Jazz Quintet and Island Stage Left.

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.”

Accommodations- Earthbox Inn & Spa & Discovery Inn: Activities- A Place to Place & Island Stage Left: Art/Artist/Gallery- Paula West Pottery: Aviation: Kenmore Air Boating/Water Activities/Whale & Wildlife Watching- San Juan Safaris: Community Activities or Event- Brickworks: Education- San Juan Island School District: Financial Services- Islanders Bank: Information/Island Services- San Juan Island Library & San Juan Update: Mind/Spa/Body Care- Lavendera Massage: Non Profits/Service Clubs– San Juan Community Home Trust: Professional Services-Windermere Real Estate: Restaurants-The Market Chef & Van Go’s Pizza: Retail- Ron’s Island Meats & Serendipity Books: Transportation-San Juan Transit, Inc: Utilities- San Juan Wireless: Weddings- San Juan Yacht Club.

Special recognition went to Gayle Rollins who is retiring after 25 years with the Yacht Club. We all congratulate him and wish him well.

The randomly selected Featured Member of the Year was Cakes by Felicitations. Felicity Milne can be reached at 317-5961 or [email protected]. Check out her website byfelicitations.com to see all of the fantastic baked goods she offers.

The Sam R. Buck Community Spirit Award was resurrected this year. It is awarded to an individual whose leadership and life-long commitment to the San Juan Island community has made a significant impact on the development of local commerce and enterprise. This individual personifies the character and pioneer spirit of San Juan Island. It was awarded to Verne Howard who had to be tricked by Becki Day, Duncan Wilson and Steve Buck into attending the ceremony. It was quite funny and very much deserved. Congratulations and thank you for all you do Verne.

Featured Member

Congratulations to our randomly selected Featured Member of the Month, Post San Juan. Owned by Jim and Pam Cromer. From corporate life to small business ownership on San Juan Island, Jim and Pam are the fourth owners of Post San Juan offering private mailboxes, Fed Ex, UPS and Post Office services. They also a great selection of greeting cards. Be sure to visit them at 685 Spring Street. They can be reached at 378-2400 or [email protected]

New Board Members

We are very happy to welcome new Chamber of Commerce Board members Brian Goodremont, owner of San Juan Safaris & San Juan Outfitters and Paul Hopkins, owner of San Juan Island Fitness. Both have served on the Chamber Board in the past and we are very fortunate to have them add their business expertise to this important group. This year along with Lauren Cohen of San Juan Canvas, we say goodbye to Jim Carroll of Better Properties whose term also expires at the end of the month. Due to business obligations, Gary Franklin of Windermere Properties will also be leaving the Chamber Board. Remaining to serve our merchant community are: Gail Schnee– Cotton, Cotton, Cotton; Wes Corey– Valmark; Joy Sevier– San Juan Wireless; Karl Bruno– Lakedale Resort; Kris Brown– Printonyx; Mark Gardner– Photography by Mark Gardner; Yvonne Mancuso– Painting & Art Glass; and Steve Hushebeck– Town Council Liaison

Thanks again for all of your support San Juan Island. I wish all businesses and island residents a prosperous 2017.

Keep an eye out for Chamber Chat by Gail Schnee in January.

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