Kudos to the chamber – Our view: It makes Glencoe a better community
No matter how tasty the hot beef commercial might be, chamber of commerce meetings are not traditionally known as must-attend entertainment. There are times they can be painfully dull. Thank goodness for the dedicated group of businesspersons who keep them running.
Last Wednesday, Nov. 13, the Glencoe Area Chamber of Commerce honored business people who are getting involved in making the community a better place. They are giving valuable time toward improving downtown and dedicating valuable resources to bring new businesses to the city.
The Glencoe Chamber of Commerce didn’t bring Kwik Trip to town. The c-store chain likely would have come here sooner or later. Chamber members have fostered the kind of can-do attitude that makes a company like Kwik Trip decide this is a community where it can be profitable, employ people, thrive and be part of a vibrant community.
The chamber honored people bringing new businesses to Glencoe. Jonathan Lueck and his family hope to open Lazy Loon Brewery soon, not as soon as he initially planned, but sometime this winter. Stop by for a beverage of your choice and check out the menu. Alex Barton and her husband moved Sawdust & Lace from Silver Lake to downtown Glencoe. There is amazing creativity on display at Sawdust & Lace everyday. Give it a try. Give these businesses a chance to earn your repeat business.
The chamber also honored existing businesses where owners made significant investments in improving their businesses. MidCountry Bank, Scott Qualle, Seneca Foods, ADM Animal Nutrition, Forever Smiles, Subway and Habitat for Humanity all made significant investment in Glencoe. Their commitment to Glencoe represents great public benefit to the community.
In many cases, they used local contractors and kept their money in the community.
Small businesses need local support. They are the lifeblood of a flourishing community. We couldn’t help but notice people bemoaning Shopko closing its doors earlier this year. Yet some of the same folks were talking about making relatively minor purchases online. The vacant building is a stark reminder of what happens when businesses, even ones with imperfect management, aren’t supported.
We also laud the commitment Glencoe chamber members offer. Thanks to Chip Anderson of SLS Tax Accounting Financial Services, for his leadership as chairman of the board of directors. No doubt Ana Alexander of Glencoe Regional Health will work hard to follow the example he set. Jim Fahey of Fahey Auctioneers & Appraisers and Jeff Mason, formerly of Glencoe Regional Health, served their community well before their time on the board came to an end. We applaud their replacements and anyone willing to serve on the chamber board.
This piece wouldn’t be complete without honoring Gabby Fountain, a youth librarian with the Glencoe Public Library for her unbridled energy. Gabby was named the chamber’s community volunteer of the year last Wednesday. She has brought her creativity and willingness to try different approaches to make the community a better, if not more colorful, place to live, work and play. Glencoe needs dozens of Gabby Fountains, or at least plenty of folks willing to follow her lead.
We thank chamber members and anyone else willing to invest their time and toil into making Glencoe an even better place.
-jm