Blog
Small Business Season: 16 Questions to Prepare for Success
Do you find yourself wondering how you’re going to compete with larger, national stores with big marketing budgets and attractive loss leaders that bring in a crowd? How will you capture the attention of local shoppers, dinner, or service users? Well, we’re here to equip you with a set of insightful questions to ask yourself,…
Small Business Season: 9 Tips for Creating an Instagrammable Displays
The holiday season (and Small Business Season!) is upon us! It’s the perfect time to capitalize on the festive spirit to attract customers and boost sales. As a small business you also want to invite people to linger, especially if you’re in retail. According to the Wall Street Journal, sales could increase as much as…
Our Events Build Community (Directors Corner Nov. 2023)
Events are community builders. That’s the premise around here and if we ever needed reinforcement of that fact, the Great Columbia Crossing on October 8th really drove it home. Here’s what I’m talking about: Our major events (Great Columbia Crossing 10k and the Astoria Warrenton Crab, Seafood and Wine Festival) are off-season economic drivers, bringing…
Small Business Season: Not just for Retail!
The holiday season is upon us, and ’tis the season for shopping! As a small business owner, you might think that participating in the “Shop Local” movement or Small Business Season is reserved for retail and restaurant establishments. That’s not the case! Small businesses from every sector can actively join in on Small Business Season,…
Announcing the Official Kickoff of the 2023 Small Business Season
Small (and local) businesses received a lot of “air time” in the past few years as business organizations, media outlets, and even large businesses amplified the message that it’s important to “Shop Small.” But where did the idea of Small Business Season come from and how did it shape up this year for chambers across…
Member of the Month July 2023 – Bloomin Crazy Floral
Member of the Month – July 2023 Bloomin Crazy Floral 971 Commercial St. Astoria, OR 97103 503-325-3571 BloominCrazyFloral.com As a second generation Finn, I, Mia Norlander, with Nordic Flower LLC, the new owner of Bloomin Crazy Floral, am passionately bringing a modern take on a local flower shop. Finland is known for embracing nature’s beauty…
Member of the Month June 2023 – Sundial Travel Service
Member of the Month – June 2023 Sundial Travel Service 750 Marine Drive #100, Astoria, OR 97103 (503) 325-4484 www.sundial-travel.com Sundial Travel Inc & Sundial Special Vacations Inc celebrates 51 years (established in 1972) and is a proud second generation-owned business by the Conner family. Founders are John & Patsy Conner. Current CEO & President,…
Member of the Month May 2023 – Gimre’s Shoes
Member of the Month – May 2023 Gimre’s Shoes 239 14th St., Astoria, OR 97103 (503) 325-3972 | gimresshoes.com In 1892, Ellis Island opened for immigrants, the Pledge of Allegiance was written, and Sven Gimre opened his shoe store in Astoria. For 131 years, Gimre’s Shoes has been a part of Astoria and the lower…
Member of the Month April 2023 – Warrenton Community Library
Member of the Month – April 2023 City of Warrenton: Warrenton Community Library 160 S. Main Ave., Warrenton, OR 97146 (503) 861-8156 | www.warrentonlibrary.org Warrenton Community Library is managed by the City of Warrenton and established its roots in the former Hammond Town Hall Building in the 1990s, moving to the current location in downtown…
Habitat Conservation Plan Testimony
This is the full testimony submitted to the Oregon Board of Forestry at their March 8, 2023 meeting in Corvallis. An abbreviated 2-minute version was presented live in the auditorium by Executive Director David Reid. See that testimony here. I’m David Reid, representing the 600-member Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce and I’ll be testifying in opposition to…