President and CEO of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce

Small Business Saturday is more than just another shopping day – it’s a way to improve your own community. As a consumer, each time you buy a sandwich from a local restaurant or a gift from a local merchant, you’re making a difference for people right here in Chautauqua County.

The purchases you make from small, locally owned businesses, get reinvested in our communities. A store owner may use that revenue to pay salaries for employees who, in turn, use it to pay for their children’s dance lessons or buy gifts from another local business. Studies have shown over and over again that local retailers return 52 percent of their revenue back into the local economy, compared with just 14 percent for national chain retailers.

So, we are asking all local consumers to make a plan now to support our small local businesses this coming holiday season. Gather your friends or family and plan a shopping experience for Small Business Saturday, November 27. You don’t even have to start in the pre-dawn hours. You can leisurely begin your shopping experience about 9 or 10am, visiting local shops that sell a wide variety of merchandise including boutique specialty items, locally made artisan products, toys, books, soaps and candles, home decor, and much more. Take your time and look over the selection of products. When you’re shopping for items crafted by local artisans, you’ll see the quality of each item and will recognize the time and care that went into creating each product.

Stop for lunch or a snack in one of the numerous locally owned restaurants that enrich our community and provide more than just a quick burger on the run. You’ll find an array of dining options from comfort food to local specialties in each community throughout Chautauqua County.

We will continue to share the message that shopping locally IS an experience and can be one of the best traditions we share with friends during the busy holiday season. Mark the day on your calendar now: Saturday, November 27. Small Business Saturday is coming. Make your plan now to enjoy holiday shopping again and keep our communities vibrant through support of local businesses.

EXPERIENCE MAYVILLE EVENING WITH THE CHAMBER

Enjoy an evening in Mayville with the Chamber of Commerce. The Chautauqua County and Mayville-Community Chambers of Commerce invite you to save the date for a double-header evening November 18!

Business After Hours with the Chamber will be held from 5-6:30pm at Chautauqua Suites, 215 West Lake Road, Mayville. Business After Hours is a fun social event and is free for two representatives from any Chamber member business, or just $15 for non-members. Enjoy networking, appetizers, and a cash bar. This Business After Hours event is sponsored by Chautauqua Suites, DFT Communications, Media One Radio Group, OBSERVER, and The Post-Journal.

The Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber Committee will follow up with its annual Awards Dinner starting at 6:30pm at Webb’s Captain’s Table at 115 West Lake Road, Mayville. Advanced registration is required for the dinner by November 11.

Masks will be required for all attendees at either event until they are seated to eat or drink.

Registration is open now for either or both events. Check out the Chamber’s calendar at www.chautauquachamberorg.

MAYVILLE AREA HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE IS NOVEMBER 12-13 AND 19-20

Kickstart your holiday shopping with the Holiday Open House hosted by the Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce, November 12-13 and November 19-20. On these two Fridays and Saturdays you can visit participating local merchants and pick up a special punch card. Get your card punched at each participating business, and then drop it off at your last stop to enter to win prizes donated by each participating business. 26 local businesses are taking part in the Mayville, Chautauqua, and Dewittville areas. For a full list of participants find the event on Facebook through the Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce.

WESTFIELD-BARCELONA COMMUNITY FOCUSES ON HOLIDAYS

A number of community organizations from the Westfield area have come together to organize the Let There Be Light Parade, Saturday, November 20 at 4:30pm. Local organizations interested in participating can fill out the entry form available on the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber Facebook page. The entry deadline is November 15. All entries must have lights and a team of celebrity judges will determine the winner. Prizes for best entry are sponsored by Grace & Abe’s in Westfield. This event is part of Christmas in the Village, and both are being organized by the Village of Westfield, Village of Westfield Beautification Committee, Patterson Library, Westfield Development Corporation, and the Westfield-Barcelona Community Chamber of Commerce.

SAVE THE DATE: CHAMBER ANNUAL MEETING IS DECEMBER 3

Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors will hold its Annual Meeting at noon, Friday, December 3 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron. This luncheon event will feature presentation of the Pam Lydic Coalition Builder Award, as well as election of board members and officers for the year ahead. More details will be announced shortly.