Chamber Chat

It’s time for this month’s edition of Chamber Chat, written by Gail Schnee – Chamber of Commerce Board President & Co-Owner of Cotton Cotton Cotton and Becki Day, Chamber Executive Director…

February is here and even with the wet weather we are experiencing, I don’t think it has dampened our spirits! We are all gearing up and excited for the 2017 Season! Cotton Cotton Cotton just re-opened on February 17th, a little later than usual due to some family obligations, but we are so happy to be back and looking forward to seeing what this new year will bring. 

We have discovered, like I am sure every one of you know, that every year is different. So I am trying to be organized early, getting my taxes done and I have been busy thinking about new merchandise, marketing strategies and trying to make this year the best yet. 

The social and quarterly lunch schedules have been mailed and mark your calendars! Come to the Chamber Quarterly Luncheon on Monday, February 27th, noon, at Brickworks, to hear Town Administrator, Duncan Wilson, give his yearly state of the Town. We will be treated to a great lunch by The Market Chef. 

There are some changes already happening around town, the new pocket park has started construction and new businesses are opening and some are moving locations. It is a new beginning; better weather is coming and lets all work together to make this the best year yet! 

New Members: 

We welcome Mike’s Café and Wine Bar as the first new member of February! Mike’s Cafe has been a favorite of visitors and locals alike the past couple of years. Mike’s features vegan meals, an extensive wine list and some fine craft beers. Mike has been actively involved in the community and just this last year he was one of the sponsors for the Friday Harbor Film Festival. Mike’s is open 7 days a week. www.mikescafeandwinebar.com 

Our second new member of the month is Friday Harbor Chocolates, 255 Spring Street, which opened the week before Valentine’s Day. The owners, Aylene Geringer and Mark Zipkin, previous business owners on the island, moved back a few months ago and have been busy remodeling the store in order to get open before Valentines. The store features local and regional chocolates, nuts, and soon, Ports. Their hours are Wednesday to Friday 11:00am-5:00pm and Saturday & Sunday 12pm-4pm until Spring. Check out their Facebook page. The Town and the Chamber welcomed Friday Harbor Chocolates with a ribbon cutting. 

February Social: 
Friday Harbor Film Festival (FHFF) was the host, along with co-host Mike’s Café and Wine Bar, of our February social. The rooms were packed and members were treated to a fun night – looking at movie memorabilia, clips of movies running on the screen, sipping Mike’s wine and enjoying delicious appetizers. Karen Palmer introduced their new addition to the staff, Jessica Lansfield, managing director. Jessica and Karen gave us an update on their big event, Oscar Night, to be held Sunday February 26th at the San Juan Island Yacht Club, 4:30pm-10:00pm. The event will be filled with a reception, dinner, and an auction. Check out their website for more information. 

February Featured Member of the Month – Printonyx 

Left to Right: Grace Brown, Jeff Fitts, Jonathan Reedy and Kris Brown – Contributed photo

When current owner Kristine Brown, purchased Printonyx in 1994, souvenirs had been phased out, computer repair was discontinued, and the shop had two copiers in a small West Street building. In 1999 it moved to Reed Street with triple the space and five copiers, self-serve computers and a full offset print shop after acquiring Heart Works print clients and Visions Printing’s offset press equipment. 

Printonyx’s mission is to be the best copy, print & fax center in the San Juan Islands and is committed to responsive and resourceful service, honest pricing, reliability, good communication and the community. 

When moving into a new building in 2013, Printonyx disbanded the offset press since digital copying had become much more cost effective and a wealth of trade printers made it possible to get affordable printing quickly from around the United States. Printonyx has added a wide variety of services without having to add expensive equipment and uses the free space as hourly office or meeting rental space. 

Printonyx will embark on a new venture within the next month: Print San Juan. From the website www.printsanjuan.com, customers will be able to upload their own artwork or use design templates to order printed and promotional products, signs, banners and more, similar to VistaPrint. Look for more information in the weeks to come.

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