Mission Statement:
The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce is organized to advance the prosperity and general welfare of its business members and the community they serve.
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~ 98th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, January 29, 2024 ~
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2023-2024 Sustaining Partners
Sustaining Partner businesses provide additional financial support annually to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce which, in turn, provides them with additional valuable membership benefits. These contributions to the chamber allow for the continued increase of promotion, advocacy, involvement, and leadership at the local, state and federal levels. This is done to always be proactive in support of our businesses and the community we serve.
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Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed)
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Our 2024 Community Guides and Business Directories are here!
Our Community Guides are “everything you need to know about Charlotte County”. These beautiful publications are available at the chamber office and we encourage any member who would like a supply for their lobby or customers to stop in and pick some up. One of the exciting features of the 2024 Community Guide is that the online version contains links to the websites for many of the events, services, advertisers, and members. We encourage you to preview the publication online here
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Members Networking at Noon on Wednesday, February 14th
Valentine's Day themed!
The Grill at 1951
1951 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
Plan to arrive by 11:45 a.m. to get settled. $20pp
Reservation Required - register in the Member Portal
Third Wednesday Coffee, Wednesday, February 21 from 7:45 a.m. until 9:00 a.m.
Members join us for coffee and light breakfast fare at the
Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center
75 Taylor St., Punta Gorda
Our Program: New Member Showcase
We'll also celebrate a Ribbon Cutting for New Member BubbleUp Exterior Cleaning LLC during the event! Please RSVP for planning purposes..
Business Card Exchange, Thursday, February 28 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
More information to follow.
Fun After Five, February 28, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.
Join us at Buffalo Wings and Rings, 1020 El Jobean Road, Port Charlotte for an informal social gathering. This is a pay-your-own-way for food & drinks. Everyone is welcome to our Social Club event. Kindly register in the member portal for planning purposes.
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~ Marketing Opportunities ~ | |
Members, Post News Releases, Jobs, Hot Deals,
Member-to-Member Deals, all Free!
Do it yourself in the Member Portal.
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The next issue of the FIR$T THUR$DAY ADVERTI$ER will be sent out on February 1. (Digital flyers are due by January 30) Email your ad to advertiser@charlottecountychamber.org and include the web address we should link it to, or call us 941-627-2222 for more information. *Cost $100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue *Sustaining Partners receive free digital flyers depending on their partnership level. . Learn More
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Members, the Charlotte County Chamber Newsletter Business Perspective is a DIGITAL Quarterly publishing January/April/July/October. Members who want to include a Digital page to ride with the newsletter should complete and return the agreement and provide their digital page by the 20th of the month before publication. *Cost $100 for-profit and $50 non-profit each issue *Sustaining Partners receive free digital flyers depending on their partnership level. Send your digital flyer to Newsletter@charlottecountychamber.org or call 941-627-2222 for information, or click here to learn more.
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Did you know you may set up automatic payments! Never forget another membership payment! Save on stamps, checks and time. To do so, login to the Member Portal. In the shortcut menu, choose Company Information, at the bottom of the list choose Billing, choose Payment Profiles and enter your credit card. Then from that same Billing area choose Autopay & Billing to select your payment profile. That's it! | |
13th Annual Business Expo | |
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Expo2024 is a sell out! Make a plan to attend this annual event...
Over 100 businesses will be at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center on Thursday, February 8, 2024.
Everyone is welcome to attend the Expo from 10 a.m. until it closes to the public at 3 p.m. FREE bag to the first 500 attendees. This is a great opportunity for Business Owners to network with their business peers and for our local community to check out what these businesses have to offer.
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Thank You Expo2024 Sponsors: | |
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Print Sponsor: Buffalo Graffix
Newspaper Sponsor: The Daily Sun
Radio Sponsor: iHeart Media, Inc.
Platinum Title Sponsor: Kittle Property Group: Swiftwater at West Port - The Flats at Sundown - Vantage Apartments
Silver Sponsor: Southwest Florida Insurance Associates, Inc.
Silver Sponsor: Life Care Center of Punta Gorda
Silver Sponsor: True Fence, LLC
Silver Sponsor: Chapman Insurance Group
Silver Sponsor: Florida Tree & Ground Maintenance, Inc.
Silver Sponsor: Bone Dry Roofing
Bronze Sponsor: MD Pressure Cleaning and Softwash
Bronze Sponsor: Better Business Bureau of West Florida, Inc.
Bronze Sponsor: J & J One Stop Gun Shop, Inc.
Bronze Sponsor: Succentrix Business Advisors
Bronze Sponsor: The Mosaic Company
Bronze Sponsor: Elite Hurricane Home Protection
Bronze Sponsor: Sage Grove on Aaron
Bronze Sponsor: Landings at Westport
Bronze Sponsor: VIP Care
Main Stage Sponsor: CarmichaelTravel.Com
Breakfast Sponsor: Soul Dental
Speed Networking Sponsor:
After Hours Party Sponsor: Elite Inspections & Pest Solutions
Bag Sponsor: WhitCo Insurance, Alexia Martin Agency
Refreshment Station Sponsor: The Purple House Salon by Shawn Gilstad
Kick off Party Sponsor: Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center
Lanyard Sponsor: Chapman Insurance Group
Event Map Sponsor:
Passport Sponsor: Martella Law Firm PLLC
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Mike Douglass Plumbing, Inc.
517 Paul Morris Drive, Unit #A
Englewood , FL 34223
Kelly Curtis-Hood, Karen Gardiner
(941) 473-2344
kelly@mikedouglassplumbing.com
http://www.mikedouglassplumbing.com
Insurance Professionals USA
11402 NW 41st St., Suite 210
Doral, FL 33178
Karina Schmitt
(786) 284-2249
schmitt.insprousa@gmail.com
https://agents.insprousa.com/karinaschmitt/
Bone Dry Roofing
23371 Harbor View Road, Suite 106
Port Charlotte, FL 33980
Ernie Porter
(941) 343-5622
ernie.porter@bonedry.com
http://www.bonedryroofingflorida.com
WKDW Radio
12737 Tamiami Trail
North Port, FL 34287
R.J. Malloy
(941) 564-8739
info@kdwradio.com
http://www.kdwradio.com
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~ Join us for a Ribbon Cutting ~ | |
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Wednesday, January 31, 2024 5:00-6:00p.m. (RC=5:30)
Brighter Than Ever Salon
425 Cross St., Suite 212 &213, Punta Gorda
There will be raffles for attendees, Hair Blow Out, Nails Gel Manicure and a Mans Hair Cut. They will also be serving light food/appetizers along with wine & water. Please RSVP in the Member Portal
Thursday, February 1, 2024 from 4:30-6:00 pm (RC=5:30)
Fine Line Custom Homes
4516 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte
Light appetizers, refreshments & raffle.
Please RSVP in the Member Portal.
Wednesday, February 21, 2024 about 8:30 a.m.
Bubble Up Exterior Cleaning
Will take place at the Third Wednesday Coffee in February
in the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center, 75 Taylor Street, Punta Gorda.
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Everyone is invited to attend Chamber ribbon cutting events. Come out and support your fellow members in a casual, fun, atmosphere! Networking opportunity. | |
#ConnectingBusinessesTogether | |
Members Send YOUR Member News/Events to BOL@charlottecountychamber.org and we'll share it each week. Email submissions of 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday for inclusion the following Monday. This is a free members-only benefit! (We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.) | |
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Did you know that Murdock Stones Etc. sells a large variety of mulch at everyday low prices? This week, we'll tell you that our Melaleuca Mulch is on sale for $3.66 per bag for all chamber members through January 31st (normally $4/bag)....and Melaleuca is Florida friendly and BUG RESISTANT. Come see us at 7621 Sawyer Circle (off Gasparilla Rd. …look for the World’s Largest Mailbox) or 590 Prineville St. in Port Charlotte (across from Home Star Storage). www.murdockstonesetc.com. 941-629-6651
Be a part of non-stop D1 NCAA sports action with your hometown! FGCU Women’s Tennis will face off against DePaul on Thursday, February 1st and then Georgia State on Sunday, February 4th at 10AM at the FGCU Tennis Complex. Swimming & Diving will have their last home meet of the season beginning on Friday the 2nd at 4PM and wrapping up on Saturday, the 3rd at 12PM at the FGCU Aquatics Center. Lastly, Women’s Basketball will be hosting Eastern Kentucky starting at 7PM on Saturday the 3rd in Alico Arena, ticket prices are as low as $12 - visit FGCUTICKETS.COM. Come out and support the Eagles!
Loren Putnam and the Staples Port Charlotte store wants to wish you a Happy New Year! We are having The Print Big Sale! $20 off your print purchase of $100 or more, $50 off your print purchase of $200 or more, $100 off your print purchase of $300 or more. Valid through 2/10/24. Exclusions apply. Visit Staples.com/print for more details
Christine Hause, Vice President and Senior Wealth Strategist, and Kerry Hunter, Wealth Strategist, have scheduled free estate-planning seminars in several Crews Bank & Trust locations for February. Hause and Hunter, members of the bank’s Trust and Wealth Management Services division, will present vital information on the topics from a trust officer’s point of view. "These seminars will help you create a strong plan for the future," explained Lory Weisensee, President of Trust and Wealth Management. Registration is available at any Crews Bank & Trust branch office, online at www.crews.bank, via email at trust@crews.bank or by calling Trust Operations Associate Linda Ferrara at 941-624-1943. All seminars run from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Charlotte Players- Stumblin' Out The Gate Dunlap & Mabe-Bluegrass Band January 29th. Dunlap and Mabe have performed and recorded with many talented musicians and bands-including Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike, Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley, Lonesome Highway, and Circa Blue-and have performed at the Kennedy Center, Carnegie Hall, and other prestigious venues. With roots planted firmly in bluegrass, the band will play a mix of original tunes, classic bluegrass numbers, jazz favorites, and popular covers that everyone will recognize. Preferred $42, Regular $36. For more information and tickets go to www.charlotteplayers.org or call 941-255-1022.
Restoration Bar invites you to join us on Thursday February 1st at 530pm to see live demos of our newest technology. We will have representatives to answer questions, food and giveaways. Enerjet kinetic facelift! Preime dermafacial! Laser hair removal for all skin & hair types! Fractionated radiofrequency! Daxxify - the longer lasting botox! Vaginal Rejuvenation!!RSVP is required: info@restorationbar.com 941-347-7707
Lake Michigan Credit Union is partnering with Kays-Ponger & Uselton Funeral Home to Host a complimentary information seminar. Complimentary lunch included. Please call 941-474-2413 to register. Event on February 1st at 1130am at 2120 Kings Hwy Port Charlotte, FL 33980
Charlotte Players Comedy Diner February 3rd. Charlotte Players are serving up a great evening of laughs, in the Langdon Playhouse on Saturday, February 3rd. Don’t plan on getting a burger there, just a whole lot of laughs and quality food for the soul. Four seasoned comics will perform on the Langdon stage. An assortment of liquid refreshments and munchie concessions will be available. For tickets and more information call 941-255-1022 or go to www.charlotteplayers.org.
Tuesday, February 6, 2024 – Gulf Coast Partnership’s 2024 Community Leaders Breakfast & Awards Ceremony - From 8 am – 10 am at the Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center. Tickets on sale and can be purchased here Award Winners: Mass Care, Publix, St. Vincent de Paul Sacred Heart Conference, ShorePoint Health. Our Sponsors: Gulf Coast Community Foundation/Gould Family Trust Foundation, CCSO, Charlotte Behavioral Health Care, CASL, Virginia B. Andes, Charlotte County Human Services
The Visual Arts Center is excited to announce our upcoming Art Tour to Bok Tower Gardens on February 6, 2023. This fun and educational tour is an opportunity for art enthusiasts to explore the beautiful Bok Towers and learn about its history and significance. Don't miss out - Register Today!!! Tour includes: *Coach Transportation *Continental Breakfast *Admission Bok Tower Gardens & Mansion *Lunch [8:00am - Pickup & Continental Breakfast - Visual Arts Center, 8:30am - Depart for Bok Tower Tour] VAC Members $110/Non-Members $135. Register Today! CLICK HERE: www.georgecustomtravel.com
The Small Business Development Center has many new workshops, tools, and team members. Come check them all out on February 8 at the Business Expo at the Charlotte Harbor Event Center from 10am to 3pm. Learn about February’s class - AI for Small Business; and sign up to participate in our Charlotte County networking events and research groups. Every day, the SBDC offers consulting to small businesses at no cost. For more information, contact SBDC Consultant Patti Guerzo, at pguerzo@fgcu.edu.
Charlotte High School is excited to invite you to our inaugural annual career fair on Feb. 16th. Please see the letter in the link provided below. We are hoping to have several local businesses and organizations participate to highlight the multiple career pathways students can take. This can be restaurants, small business owners, larger agencies, corporations, medical practices, and so on. There is no limit! Please use the link in the letter to RSVP and contact Jaime Eyster with any questions. Thank you and we look forward to having you join us! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QfA6xp7jxbh4hPNOHxvNVa3X25wfr3HQ/view?usp=sharing
Italian Dinner Night – Salad, Pasta with Meatballs, Bread and Cookies - is happening on February 22, 2024, from 4:00 to 6:00PM at The GFWC Women’s Club of Port Charlotte at 20271 Tappan Zee Drive in Port Charlotte. Advance Tickets only, $12.00 per dinner, dine in or carry out. Call Mary 941-627-4613 to sign up. Proceeds benefit local Charlotte County Charities.
The Charlotte County Tourist Development Council is accepting applications for the 2024 Event Development Program (EDP). The EDP provides reimbursable funding to assist in the development of new events, occurring in low or shoulder seasons which promote Charlotte County as a tourist destination. The application is available online here. Applications are due no later than February 22 by emailing Ms. Brynja Phipps at Brynja.Phipps@PureFlorida.com
Save the Date. Complete Auto Repair is happy to announce that we will be having our 14th Annual Customer Appreciation Party on Saturday February 24th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There will be Music, Prizes, Food and our Car Show! A big thank you to everyone participating in the Car Show, everyone's favorite, as well seeing friends, customers and interacting with the community. - From Ron, Misty & the Crew!
Kick Up Your Heels For Healthy Start on February 29, 2024 at Twisted Fork Restaurant. The Fun Starts at 5:30PM until 9:00PM. We’ll have a Buffet, Dancing, Raffles, 50/50 and more! Cost $50.00/person for tickets go to https://givebutter.com/kicking2024 proceeds to benefit Charlotte County Healthy Start Coalition because every baby deserves a Healthy Start. Click here for the flyer or call Vicki Vertich-Hutcheson 941-764-9700
Drug Free Charlotte County's Rally Round 4 Prevention will be March 2, 2024, 3-8:30pm at the PicklePlex®. Any experience level can play this round-robin, poker hand style play. $35 for single or $50 for team (w/meal). Register at: https://bit.ly/PlayRally2024. At 3pm - The Battle of the Guns and Hoses" as CCSO, PGPD, CC Fire/EMS and PG Fire/EMS hit the courts for a pre-event tourny. All events are free to watch (no meal included). SPONSORSHIPS available: https://bit.ly/RallyRound2024 941-559-1946 for questions.
Gator Wilderness Camp School will be hosting a 5k / 10k / 15k trail run through our beautiful 250 acre property which includes the boys campsites and our 12 acre lake. The run is Saturday, April 27, 2024 at 8 AM at Gator Wilderness Camp. We will also be hosting a kids fun dash for ages 2-12 at 9:00am. There is also a hot breakfast, fresh fruit, and delicious baked goods provided by Gator Wilderness Camp School and Detwiler's Farm Market to all registered participants. Contact Melissa Bergey 941-639-7722 or Register Online at:
http://runsignup.com/Race/FL/PuntaGorda/GatorWildernessCampTrailRun
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Have you been putting off preparing a Last Will and Testament until next year? Well, your next year is here! It is so important to have the right documents in place BEFORE a medical emergency happens. Give Mark Martella, Esq., of the Martella Law Firm, PLLC a call at 941-867-6865 (or e-mail him at mark@martellalaw.com) to schedule a complimentary, confidential, one hour consultation to discuss your options to be prepared for when “life happens.”
Better choices = a healthier and happier lifestyle, give your employees that option! Starting January 1, 2024, Gulfcoast South AHEC will begin offering $25 gift cards* to Group Quit participants who attend in-person or virtual sessions. FREE tobacco cessation counseling and FREE Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges are also available at no cost for qualifying participants. As part of Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person/virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help. Call 866-534-7909 or visit gsahec.org to register today. *while supplies last.
Have you set your 2024 business goals yet? The SBDC can help! The Small Business Development Center offers no-cost business consulting. We can help you create a 2024 business plan that gives you the best shot at your sales, profit, and growth goals. Simply click on this link to get started: SBDC Connect
Don’t miss out on Cryotherapy of Charlotte County’s January Special - CryoSkin Revolution Facial $150.00 (Reg $200.00) includes consultation with our Licensed medical Esthetician. We also have SPECIALS this month on CryoSkin Revolution Slimming and Toning packages. Don't let this great savings slip away. Call (941) 979-7057 today to schedule your appointment.
Mark the Calendar for Complete Auto Repair’s 14th Annual Customer Appreciation Party on Saturday February 24th from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. There will be Music, Prizes, Food and our Car Show! We are looking forward to seeing friends, customers and interacting with the community. A big "Thank You" in advance to everyone participating in the Car Show. ~Ron, Misty & the Crew!
Packing and unpacking takes more time than ACTUALLY moving. However, packing items professionally ensures the remainder of your move will go smoothly, and your things will arrive undamaged. How would it be if you didn't have to pack everything and worry about the condition your items might arrive in? Call Kenny Gardiner of Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage for service quotes on packing, unpacking, and temporary storage services at (941) 423-5311. Save yourself time and stress on both ends.
BubbleUp Exterior Cleaning wishes you and yours a happy and healthy 2024! BubbleUp is offering two promotions: 50% off driveway cleaning with the purchase of any regular exterior cleaning and 20% off rust removal restoration services! Schedule now so your home will be beautiful in 2024!! We do soft washing and pressure washing depending on the surface to be cleaned. We clean the house, roof, driveway, walkways, pool cages, lanai's, fences, walls, gutter cleanouts, etc. BubbleUp is licensed and insured. Visit: BubbleUpclean.net or call or text: 941-587-0654.
Did you know that Murdock Stones Etc. offers self-serve prices for our aggregate products (rocks, dirt, sand, etc). Bring your own 5 gallon bucket, or old 18 gallon recycle bin, shovel yourself and save some $$$. Come see us at 590 Prineville St. in Port Charlotte (across from HomeStar Storage) or 7621 Sawyer Circle (off Gasparilla Rd. …look for the World’s Largest Mailbox) www.murdockstonesetc.com. 941-629-6651.
Start 2024 out by pampering yourself with our January Specials. We are offering our CryoSkin Revolution Facial for $150.00 (Reg. 200.00) and CryoSkin Slimming and Toning package special. Call Cryotherapy Port Charlotte (941) 979-7057 to schedule your next appointment.
This week's Trivia Challenge from Dellutri Law Group:
Q: Which famous Florida highway runs through Charlotte County?
Q: What is the name of the historic district in Punta Gorda?
Q: What unique ecosystem is found in the Babcock Ranch Preserve in Charlotte County?
Q: Name a species of sea turtle that nests on the beaches of Charlotte County.
Elizabeth Etnoyer eetnoyer@DellutriLawGroup.com 239-210-7253 (Call/Text)
New statewide requirements go into effect when recording property deeds, which make it more difficult for persons to file fraudulent deeds. Currently, deeds require two witness signatures to be recorded, with the name of each witness to be legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped immediately below the signature. Beginning January 1, 2024, however, the post office address of each witness will also be required and must be legibly printed, typewritten, or stamped on the deed. This statewide change is a result of House Bill 1419. Sign up for our FREE Property Fraud Alert service. It notifies property owners when a deed, mortgage, or other document has been recorded into the Official Record with their name on it. To register, visit Fraud.CharlotteClerk.com.
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The Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association has an opening for a full-time facility and maintenance coordinator. This critical position requires extreme scheduling flexibility, organization, positive attitude, good judgement, and outstanding customer service skills. This position is responsible for preparing the auditorium and classrooms for daily activities (set-up and break-down), staffing events, monitoring facility cleanliness, repair and safety, and performing minor facility repairs. Reliable transportation required. Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. Weekdays- $17 per hour; Weekends and Holidays- $19 per hour. Paid vacation. Send inquiries and resumes to Teri Ashley, teriashley@pgica.org.
The Punta Gorda Isles Civic Association has an opening for a part-time administrative assistant. This position requires scheduling flexibility, organization, a very positive attitude, good judgement, outstanding customer service and communication skills, and proficiency in Microsoft Office. Graphic design and QuickBooks skills are also beneficial. Administrative assistants help handle the daily activities, financial transactions, and administrative operations of the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. The PGICA is a fun, fast-paced environment and this is a high-profile role. Weekdays- $16 per hour; Weekends- $17 per hour. Send inquiries and resumes to Teri Ashley at teriashley@pgica.org.
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“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill | |
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Jack had been a compulsive worrier for years, to the point it was ruining his life. He saw a psychologist who recommended a specialist who could help him. His friend, Bob, noticed a dramatic change and asked, "What happened? Nothing seems to worry you anymore."
"I hired a professional worrier and I haven't had a worry since," replied Jack.
"That must be expensive," Bob replied.
"He charges $5,000 a month," Jack told him.
"$5,000!!! How in the world can you afford to pay him?" exclaimed Bob.
"I don't know. That's his problem."
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Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Inc.
2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
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