A reception desk may seem like no big deal to many, but when it’s a prominent fixture in a very public space it can make or break first impressions for guests. The same is true for storefronts and interior fittings, restaurant decor, and office waiting areas. Everyone who visits your place of business will leave with a first impression. Granted, that pertains to a friendly and helpful staff as much as it does to the space they see.

Now, when visitors come to the CHQ Chamber Office and Visitor Information Center in downtown Jamestown they will be welcomed warmly by our staff and will also get a first-hand look at the craftsmanship of a fine, locally made custom office installation that is so much more than just a desk. We were proud to work with Colecraft Commercial Furnishings in Jamestown as they designed and built a new workstation that allows us to improve our workflow and expand our team, all while providing a better look and feel to our space that welcomes visitors from all over the country.

Notably, this new reception desk is the perfect finishing touch to the rehabilitation of this centerpiece building, which was conducted in 2023 by its owner, the Gebbie Foundation. We are grateful to them and proud to be able to use this space in service to the community.

This new addition to our office comes thanks to an occupancy tax grant from Chautauqua County aimed at improving our Visitor Information Center. We shopped locally, and found a firm that could design and build this large piece to meet our needs at a price we could afford.

As a local business association, it is important to us to do business with local companies as much as possible. We understand the value in supporting local businesses that hire local people, pay local taxes, and make our communities a great place to live and work.

The CHQ Chamber works in partnership with the Chautauqua County Visitors Bureau on our downtown Jamestown Visitor Information Center. They source brochures and publications that help tourists find points of interest in Chautauqua County, and our staff offers suggestions and tips to travelers when they stop in. Frequently, we find that visitors have come to our area for a specific purpose – often the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum or the National Comedy Center – and then they are surprised to learn how much we have to offer here when their question is, “What else can we do in this area?”

We routinely direct visitors to a wide variety of attractions and recreation destinations countywide including the Roger Tory Peterson Institute, Robert H. Jackson Center, Fenton History Center, Jamestown Audubon and other Jamestown sites. But we also point them to the lighthouses at Dunkirk and Barcelona, Panama Rocks and other outstanding nature trails, wineries along the Lake Erie shore, beautiful spots to enjoy water sports on all our amazing lakes, quaint shopping destinations, art galleries, and locally operated restaurants too numerous to count.

Our work as a visitor information center directly meets our mission to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion our local businesses in Chautauqua County. We invite you to stop at our Jamestown office at 300 North Main Street soon and see how we are serving the entire county by providing vital information and resources, all in a professional manner, and now with a newly enhanced reception space that also demonstrates continued craftsmanship in manufacturing right here in our county.

BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT THE ATHENAEUM HOTEL

The next CHQ Chamber Business After Hours will be held Wednesday, April 30 at the grand Athenaeum Hotel at Chautauqua Institution. You can enjoy this beautiful setting along with complimentary appetizers and a cash bar from 5-6:30pm.

All local businesspeople are welcome. CHQ Chamber Business After Hours events are free for two people from each Chamber member organization. The price is just $10 for non-members or anyone above the two-person limit. Registration is appreciated for our planning purposes but is not required. Registering in advance gets you on our “Who’s Who in the Room” list. Registration is open now through our web calendar at www.chqchamber.org.

Business After Hours at the Athenaeum Hotel is sponsored by the Athenaeum Hotel, Brooks-TLC Hospital System, Chautauqua Institution, Chautauqua Marina, Kinetic Business, M&T Bank, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Jamestown Community College, Media One Radio Group, Observer, and The Post-Journal.

CHECK THE CALENDAR AND STAY IN TOUCH

The CHQ Chamber has been busily lining up mission-driven summer programming. That means there will be a variety of localized events around Chautauqua County over the next several months all designed to connect consumers with local businesses and support our business community. Some of these are new ventures and some are returning, including the very popular First Fridays in Westfield.

For businesses, there will be numerous ways to gain some recognition – and hopefully make some sales – during upcoming events aimed at showcasing local merchants and restaurants. By attending CHQ Chamber events you can meet fellow businesspeople to expand your personal and professional network, develop potential partnerships, and learn more about other businesses in Chautauqua County. The opportunities are endless, and while we do need to cover costs for some events many are free for our members to participate.

It’s easy to stay informed about upcoming CHQ Chamber projects. Just sign up to receive our weekly CHQ Chamber Connections email newsletter and special email bulletins about events. Find our convenient form at www.chqchamber.org/stay-up-to-date and check our online calendar for all the details on upcoming CHQ Chamber events and join us when you can!