Creating a vibrant place to live, work, play, and stay!
CHAMBER CONNECTION
SUMMER 2021
...and, We're Back!

Have you recently attended a gathering that you haven't attended in months - maybe even more than a year? I have, and it was wonderful! We've certainly learned a lot of new things in the last 18 months. I think one of those was how important it is to be with our friends, families, colleagues, and community. It's so good to "be back!" With that said, I invite you to join the Chamber at our upcoming events. We've missed you, and we hope you've missed us!

Please take note of our upcoming After Hours and Bi-Monthly Meetings. They will be held in-person at the locations provided below. There is no cost to attend, and, of course, you are always welcome to bring a guest.

Much has been happening behind the scenes and on our screens (i.e. Zoom!) for the last year and a half. You've all attended lots of virtual events, small group meetings, and socially-distanced gatherings, but we're ready to hit the ground running as we emerge better than ever! Click Here to view the Chamber's temporary Calendar.

The Chamber is currently "refreshing" our website. It's getting a whole new look, as well as an easier-to-use directory and other user-friendly features. Each Chamber member will have their own page with links to your websites, social media pages, and other amenities. We're excited about this update. You'll hear from the Chamber soon to make sure we have all your vital information, logos, photos, and more to enhance your Chamber Directory page.

We hope you consider attending one of our upcoming events. Reach out to the Chamber if your business would like to host an After Hours or other type of opportunity to network and learn. We're moving toward a more organic, fluid type of schedule where we don't have to always meet on a "third Thursday" or "odd-numbered month" for some programs/events. Instead, we want to provide options to meet our members where and when it fits your needs. We want your input and participation in all our efforts to advocate, educate, and network for the Elkins-Randolph County Business Community.

Looking forward to seeing you, in-person, soon!




Executive Director,
Elkins-Randolph County Chamber
Chamber Spotlight Businesses of the Month
January through June 2021
Congratulations to this month's Spotlight Business of the Month, the Elkins Depot Welcome Center! We'll share the press release about the Welcome Center with you under separate cover soon, but we wanted to give them a shout out here now.

We also want to congratulate again all the Spotlight Businesses of the Month for the first half of 2021.
January: Randolph County Development Authority

February: The Woodlands Development Group

March: Roy's RV SuperCenter

April: Crazy Harry's Greenhouse

May: Elkins Builders Supply

Thanks to all our Spotlight Businesses of the Month for making our community a better place for business!
Has your business registered for the Randolph County Job Fair?
Join us June 24th from noon to 4:00 PM at the Phil Gainer Community Center
After Hours returns at Performance Chevrolet
June 24th starting at 4:30 PM
If you're really paying attention, you might notice the After Hours logo you see here includes the line "Every Third Thursday of Each Month." Well, our next After Hours will NOT be on the third Thursday. We decided that we would respect the governor's guidelines and wait until after June 20th. So, we'll have our first, official, in-person After Hours on Thursday, June 24th at Performance Chevrolet.
This networking event proves to be extra special, since it's been so long since we had an After Hours in person! Starting at 4:30 on the 24th, Christy Hines and the entwaire team at Performance Chevy will host this After Hours "under the big tent" next to their showroom at 3222 Beverly Pike. Beander's is catering the event, and everyone is invited! Registration is encouraged, but there is no cost to attend.

We hope to see you at Performance Chevrolet on June 24th!
Bi-Monthly Meeting set for August 5th
Get updated on what's happening in our community!
The Chamber is happy to announce the return of Bi-Monthly Meetings! The next Bi-Monthly Meeting is scheduled for 8:30 AM at Graceland on the campus of D&E on August 5th. It's been so long since we could catch up with one another, the agenda will be a "potpourri" of short informational updates from various groups/organizations/initiatives in our community. We will also be surveying our members to determine your needs for learning and informational opportunities in the future.

To register for this free monthly meeting, click the button below. Join your Chamber friends and the business community at Graceland on August 5th!
Distance Socially, Eat Locally serves nearly 250 meals
Events from February to June offer curbside take-out and delicious dinners!
During the spring of 2021, the Chamber offered curbside, take-out meals to almost 250 patrons at four events at local restaurants. Distance Socially, Eat Locally was created to help our local restaurants during the pandemic. Customers pre-ordered and paid for pre-set meals at four dining establishments in Elkins.

In February, patrons dined on meatloaf and cinnamon roll bread pudding from 1863 Appalachian Bistro. March brought polish kielbasa, pierogies, and cabbage from Beander's Restaurant & Tavern. In April, Vintage delighted customers with Chicken Marsala and tiramisu. And, just last week, new Chamber member WV Seafood & Produce brought the ocean to Randolph County with delightful crab cakes and strawberry shortcake rolls from Guilty Pleasures Sweet Shop.

We heard great stories about where folks were eating their meals from feet propped up, enjoying a movie at home to small groups taking out together and sharing a meal at someone's home.

We DON'T intend to continue "Distancing Socially" but we DO intend to keep on "Eating Locally!" Look for a similar initiative through our Network Committee but with a new name next fall. This is a great way for restaurants to get both new customers and faithful patrons to experience their menu in a unique way.

Special thanks to our sponsors for these events: Davis Trust Company, Mountaineer Insurance Services, Mountain-Memories Assisted Living, and Jodie Parrack State Farm.
WV Secretary of State Mac Warner honors 11 Randolph "Centurion" Businesses at Halliehurst event May 14th
The porch at Halliehurst Mansion was the setting for a special event honoring 11 Randolph County businesses that have been doing business for 100+ years on Friday, May 14th. Those businesses honored by WV Secretary of State Mac Warner:

  • Lohr & Barb Funeral Home (1889)
  • Independent Order of the Oddfellows Randolph Lodge No. 116 (1890)
  • The Inter-Mountain (1892)
  • The Grand Knights of Pythias of the State of WV (1897)
  • Allegheny Division of Blue Ridge Risk Partners (1898)
  • Davis Trust Company (1901)
  • Davis Memorial Hospital (1903)
  • Davis & Elkins College (1904)
  • Mountain Valley Bank (1909)
  • Ruthbell Lumber Company (1912)
  • Kelly Foundry & Machine Company (1920)

During the ceremony, the crowd got to learn, in great detail, the little-known story of the first 18-year-old American to register to vote. It happened right here in Randolph County!

To learn more about the event and the details of that story, Click Here.
Reminder to Members:
Your Chamber membership includes social media posts and four email blasts each year. Our email list includes 950+ contacts. If you would like to promote your business or a special event, contact the Chamber today!

Elkins - Randolph County Chamber of Commerce
304.636.2717
chamber@erccc.com