Small business voice unity during “new normal”

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JASPER, GA–Small businesses voice unity during the “new normal” spawned by the Coronavirus storm. While it’s still too early to truly gauge the economic impact the “social distancing” and self-quarantining will have, business owners are doing what they can, said Amberle Godfrey , Pickens County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO.

small businesses voice unity

Sharp Top Social Media Management and other Jasper businesses are hoping to get the word out to support local businesses.

Sharp Top Social Media is partnering with The Old Mulehouse to #supportjasper by encouraging patrons who go out to eat to first, tip their server more than usual, then to purchase a gift card to that establishment. The next time they dine out, they leave that server a tip and the previously purchased gift card while also purchasing a gift card from that establishment.

“I’m passionate about small business,” said Taree Darby, owner of Sharp Top Social Media. “So when Old Mule House reached out to me to see what we could do, I was all for it.”

small businesses voice unity

The Old Mule House is working with Sharp Top Social Media Management to #supportjasper.

They are seeing success. Many small businesses are reposting and encouraging everyone to get involved.

“We’re really coming together in an amazing way,” said Darby.

She said the idea was based on a post by Jeff Dollars, who encouraged his

hope to help

Two local businesses in Pickens County are hoping to encourage the public to help local restaurants during the COVID-19 shutdown.

followers to tip extra and buy a gift card to pass to the next server the patron has.

Still, the Coronavirus is only part of the concern. With the rainy weather that has dominated North Georgia, small businesses were already concerned.

“This (Coronavirus) compounded it and with this on top of it, it will cripple some businesses,” said Godfrey.

“They are all staying open and we’re all asking people to still continue to support the small businesses,” she added.

small businesses voice unity

61 Main in Jasper and other local establishments are seeing a drop in business since the “social-distancing” and quarantines have taken place.

Rob Jarrett, general manager for the restaurant 61 Main, said so far the popular eatery has been “fine.”

“It was pretty normal until Saturday, then we were about 50-percent of where we normally are,” he said on Monday, adding Monday was also operating at about 50-percent.

“We’re taking it day-by-day,” he said.

The restaurant is offering the entire menu to go and while they haven’t laid anyone off or changed their hours, anything can happen.

But for now, they are going to continue offering farm-to-table meals.

“We’re trying to make the best of it,” he said.

small businesses voice unity

61 Main post on Facebook about how they are handling the Coronavirus pandemic.

“I hope it doesn’t last,” said Carrie Roland, owner of Designs on Main, a boutique in downtown Jasper offering items for home, gifts and children.

“Last week wasn’t much different,” said Roland. “The rain and weather affects our business, too, but Saturday wasn’t much different.”

Things seemed to change on Monday, though.

“The traffic has died tremendously today,” she said.

To help make customers feel comfortable, she said she is offering online shopping with curbside pick-up.

small businesses voice unity

Designs on Main is offering curb side pick-up for those needing gifts and decor.

She also pointed out that small shops typically means less human traffic. “It’s not crowded if you shop small.”

She said the decision to stay open or close was difficult. Both had consequences. For now, she’s not making any changes to her hours.

“I’m just seeing how things are before doing something drastic.” She said she is using the time to get caught up on inventory.

“Everyone, not just businesses, are concerned this is just the beginning. This is unchartered waters for everyone,” said Godfrey.

For an updated list of Pickens County closings, check us out here.

Pickens County Chamber Announces New President/C.E.O.

Pickens County Chamber

I am proud to announce that Ms. Amberle Godfrey has been selected as the new President/C.E.O. of the
Pickens County Chamber of Commerce.

Amberle is a native of Pickens County and has been serving as Interim Executive Director since early
August. Prior to that she had served as Interim Operations Director. She has also served as a member of
the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, including Chairman. During Amberle’s tenure, the
chamber has seen tremendous financial stabilization and many improvements in other areas.

The selection was made after a grueling search process facilitated by Anissa Starnes with Swingbridge
Consulting. Fifty-nine applications were received for the position including several from local and
neighboring areas, as well as across the country and Canada. Working with Anissa, thirteen top
candidates were identified, and then through phone, web and personal interviews, the number was cut
to three. From a highly skilled and experienced pool of applicants, the committee realized that without
question Amberle has the skills, the knowledge of our culture and recent progress and the passion to
take our chamber to the next level. Amberle will continue her duties as Interim through the remainder
of the year, and assume her new role effective January 1, 2019, the beginning of the fiscal year for the
chamber.

Please everyone welcome Amberle to this critical position in the continued improvement in our
community! The future is bright!

Sonny Proctor, M.D.
Chairman
Board of Directors
Pickens County Chamber of Commerce

July Chamber Community Breakfast

Community

By: Rachel Whitman

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly Chamber Breakfast that is open to Chamber members as well as the public. Our most recent breakfast was held Tuesday, July 10th, 2018. Attendees enjoyed a delicious breakfast catered by Bojangles’ while networking.

Melissa Jordan, the Board Chair-Elect for the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce welcomed.  Mark Mitton with Community Bank of Pickens County did the Invocation. July’s Small Business of the Month, a program sponsored by Community Bank of Pickens County, was awarded to Ag-Pro Companies- Jasper. Our breakfast sponsor was Royston LLC.  Mark Kenline, the CEO, spoke about “The Future of Retail.” A couple of the key points Kenline made is there is a convergence in the market creating tremendous growth opportunity for the company and creating employment opportunities for our citizens.

Royston LLC is the industry leader in the advanced design, manufacture and installation of first-class store interiors for the convenience, grocery, quick serve restaurant, mass merchandise, food service and specialty retail segments. They improve the consumer experience by partnering with retailers to provide customer-specific, brand-enhancing and operationally aligned products and services – from concept to store-level execution.

Their philosophy is to understand your unique values and goals. They learn your brand and retail environment objectives inside and out, match up our resources with your specific project plans, and design a customized equipment strategy that is configurable to all store locations and footprints. They will give you the benefit of our experience, and you’ll take advantage of their state-of-the-art manufacturing systems that deliver stores fast and on time, every time.

Royston has evolved from simply being the best-in-class manufacturer of merchandising fixtures to your full-service resource for end-to-end solutions for the retail environment.

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast at Chattahoochee Technical College. The next scheduled breakfast is on August 14th, 2018. This is a fantastic opportunity for members as well as the public to network and make business connections. For Chamber Breakfast pricing and registration, please call (706) 692-5600 or visit our website www.pickenschamber.com.

December Breakfast Press Release

Community

December Chamber Community Breakfast

By: Rachel Whitman

 

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly Community Breakfast that is open to Chamber members as well as the public. The most recent breakfast was held Tuesday, December 12th, 2017. Attendees arrived to a delicious breakfast catered by Bojangles and enjoyed networking with the many people in attendance before beginning the program.

Donna Torres, the Board Chair for the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce did the welcome and then Ben Mock did the Invocation. Which was followed by our new member welcome by Matt Youngblood: Comprehensive Healthcare of North Georgia, Spectrum Medical, and Appalachian Gun Range, Inc. We encourage the community to reach out to these new members and learn about the services they offer. In addition, December’s Small Business of the Month, a program sponsored by Community Bank of Pickens County, was awarded to Georgia Mountains Hospice, LLC.  

The November Chamber Community Breakfast was sponsored by ETC Communications, LLC. Gerry Nechvatal with the Chamber of Commerce spoke for ETC Communications, LLC. He then introduced the speaker Bill Jones. Jones talked about the Talking Rock Nature Preserve.

After the sponsor remarks and speaker, the program was concluded by giving away door prizes.

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast with the next scheduled breakfast on January 9th. This is a fantastic opportunity for members as well as the public to network and make business connections. For Community Breakfast pricing and registration, please call 706-692-5600 or visit our website www.pickenschamber.com.

Calling All Non-Profits!

Community

Non-profit members are invited to setup a display table promoting their organization at the December Membership Breakfast.

If you would like to participate, you must notify Rachel Whitman at the Chamber of Commerce 706-692-5600 by December 7, 2017 before 5:00 pm.

Community Breakfast
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
7:00 am – 8:30 am
Chattahoochee Technical College
100 Campus Drive
Jasper, GA 30143

Community Breakfast

Community

Tuesday, October 10, 2017

7:00 am – 8:30 am

Chattahoochee Technical College
The Chamber’s monthly Community Breakfast offers both current and future Chamber members the opportunity to kick start their morning with networking, a delicious catered breakfast, meeting new members, and staying informed. It is $15 for Chamber Members and $20 for Non-Chamber Members.
Everyone is encouraged to register online in advance, even if pre-paid for the year, in order to minimize the waste of food.
Sponsor & Program
 
Caterer

The ARTS are BACK!!!

Community

We are excited to announce the return of the Georgia Marble Festival Art Exhibit.

 
 Please join us for a reception Friday, October 6, 2017 from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., for a preview of the Art Exhibit and to kick off the 37th Annual Georgia Marble Festival! 

Location:
Pickens County Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center
Please contact Rachel Whitman at the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce for your tickets!
Tickets available for donation.
(All proceeds will be awarded to the winning artist)

Volunteer at the Marble Festival

Community

Community Breakfast

Community

October Breakfast Press Release

Community

October Chamber Community Breakfast

By: Rachel Whitman

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly Community Breakfast that is open to Chamber members as well as the public. The most recent breakfast was held Tuesday, October 10th, 2017. Attendees arrived to a delicious breakfast catered by Bojangles and enjoyed networking with the many people in attendance before beginning the program.

Donna Torres, the Board Chair for the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce did the welcome and then Greg Meadows with Jasper United Methodist Church did the Invocation. Which was followed by our new member welcome by Matt Youngblood: JLC Home Inspection Enterprises LLC, Merino & Associates, Wendt Agency LLC, and Carrington Coffee Company. We encourage the community to reach out to these new members and learn about the services they offer. In addition, October’s Small Business of the Month, a program sponsored by Community Bank of Pickens County, was awarded to the Pickens County Progress.  

The October Chamber Community Breakfast was sponsored by Reinhardt University. Phillip Landrum III with Reinhardt University spoke about the College. He then introduced the speaker Dr. Kina Mallard. Mallard, talked about how Reinhardt University is growing.

After the sponsor remarks and speaker, the program was concluded by giving away door prizes.

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast with the next scheduled breakfast on November 14th. This is a fantastic opportunity for members as well as the public to network and make business connections. For Community Breakfast pricing and registration, please call 706-692-5600 or visit our website www.pickenschamber.com.

August Business After Hours Press Release

Business

*Rescheduled* Community Breakfast

Community

Register ****HERE ****

Showcase your Business at the Georgia Marble Festival Parade!

Community

 


Showcase your business at the Georgia Marble Festival Parade!
 
The applications must be dropped off or emailed to the Chamber Commerce by Tuesday, October 3, 2017 before 4:00 pm
 
If you would like to participate contact Rachel Whitman at the Chamber of Commerce or click here for the parade application. 
 

Youth Leadership of Pickens County Application

Dragon's Corner, Pickens County Chamber

For more information and for the application for Youth Leadership in Pickens visit the Pickens County Chamber site.

May Chamber Community Breakfast

Community

By: Jackson Leake

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly Community Breakfast that is open to Chamber members as well as the public. The most recent breakfast was held Tuesday, May 9th, 2017. Attendees arrived to a delicious breakfast catered by Coast2Coast Catering and enjoyed networking with the many people in attendance before beginning the program.
Dr. Sonny Proctor’s Welcome and Pastor Greg Meadows with Jasper United Methodist Church’s Invocation was followed by our new member welcome by Chamber Ambassador Matt Youngblood of WYYZ – 1490 AM and 102.7 FM – The Croc, which included: Refrigerated Warehousing, Inc., Mount Sequoyah Plumbing Inc., Naturenao, Inc., and 4T Cattle Co LLC. We encourage the community to reach out to these new members and learn about the services they offer. In addition, May’s Small Business of the Month, a program sponsored by Community Bank of Pickens County, was awarded to Element Funding. Katherine France and Sharon Wofford accepted this award on their behalf.
The May Chamber Community Breakfast was sponsored by Entegra Bank. Roger Plemens, Entegra’s President and CEO, spoke first and Charles Umberger, Entegra’s Chief Lending Officer/EVP, followed. He introduced Gerry Nechvatal, the Executive and Economic Development Director for the Pickens Chamber, who gave an update on the Chamber. He then introduced the speaker Phil Eberly with Lead Edge Design Group. Eberly gave a presentation on the Pickens County Airport’s new hangers that are about to break ground, which are sponsored by Robert Keller of Atlantic Coast Conservancy. He also showed the mockup design of the potential terminal building that will break ground sometime in the near future.
After the sponsor remarks and speaker, the program was concluded by giving away door prizes donated by: the Pickens Chamber, Carriage House, Entegra Bank, HVAC Consulting and Design, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, Let’s Talk, Community Bank of Pickens County, R & R Body Shop, ETC, and the Pickens Progress.
The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast with the next scheduled breakfast on July 11th. This is a fantastic opportunity for members as well as the public to network and make business connections. For Community Breakfast pricing and registration, please call 706-692-5600 or visit our website.

 

(Sponsor: Entegra Bank. Right to left: Leah Chapman, Kelley Reece, Sandra Key, Roger Plemens, Carol Caywood, Carolyn Huscusson, Lynn Bruce.)

(Left: Gerry Nechvatal, Right: Phil Eberly)

 

(Left to right: Melissa Jordan, Sharon Wofford, Katherine France)

 

(Airport terminal mock-up design)

March Chamber Community Breakfast

Pickens County Chamber

 

Pickens Chamber of commerce

 

March Chamber Community Breakfast

By: Jackson Leake

 

The Chamber Community Breakfast was held Tuesday, March 14th, 2017. Attendees arrived to a delicious breakfast catered by Chick-Fil-A and networked with over 100 people in attendance before beginning the program.

Donna Torres’ Welcome and the Invocation was followed by our new member welcome by Chamber Ambassador Matt Youngblood of WYYZ – 1490 AM and 102.7 FM – The Croc, which included: Higgins Party Rentals, Sunrise Veterinary Hospital, Law Offices of Brian Westbrook, and Serenity 7 Salon. We encourage the community to reach out to these new members and learn about the services they offer. In addition, March’s Large Business of the Month, a program sponsored by Community Bank of Pickens County, was awarded to Amicalola EMC.

The March Chamber Community Breakfast was sponsored by North Georgia Pregnancy Center and Pat Page spoke on their behalf. After the sponsor remarks, the program was concluded by giving away door prizes donated by: the Pickens County Chamber of Commerce, Carriage House, A Love to Travel, Chattahoochee Technical College, North Georgia Pregnancy Center, Renasant Bank, Piedmont Mountainside Hospital, ETC, Whitestone Valley Landfill, Bojangles, and Community Bank of Pickens County.

This month’s Community Breakfast also featured the Annual Church Showcases. The churches that participated were: Fellowship Presbyterian Church, Jasper United Methodist Church, Episcopal Church of the Holy Family, First Baptist Church of Jasper, Cool Springs Baptist Church, and King of Kings Lutheran Church.

The Pickens County Chamber of Commerce hosts a monthly breakfast with the next scheduled breakfast on Tuesday, April 11th. This is a great opportunity for members to network and make great business connections. Registration can be found online at www.pickenschamber.com under the “Calendar” section. For more information about the breakfast or any other events hosted by the Chamber, please call 706-692-5600.

pickens chamber

(Church Showcase 2017)

pickens chamber2

(Large Business of the Month – Amicalola EMC)

Pickens chamber4

(Sponsor: North Georgia Pregnancy Center and Speaker: Pat Page)

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