| April 4, 2008 |
| Volume 05, Issue 4 |
| Chamber Events |
| Business Directory |
| Community Event Calendar |
| HutchChamber.com |
April 17 |
Business After Hours Woodwork Manufacturing |
April 23 |
Membership Breakfast Sponsor: U.S. Cellular |
April 24 |
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Promote Your Business in the Chamber Action Pak Get your Business in front of Chamber Members! For only $125, the Chamber will mail your promotional flyer to Save...by planning ahead for 2008, you can save by pre-ordering for future quarterly mailings! 1 Quarter - $125 2 Quarters - $240 ($10 savings) Interested? Payment and materials for the mailing are due Monday, April. 7th. For more information contact Holly Schmidt or Belinda McClanahan at 662-3391. |
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This issue could be sponsored by your company. For more information please contact Holly Schmidt at 662.3391 or via e-mail. |
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Woodwork Manufacturing Sponsors April Business After Hours Continue your workday at the Chamber’s Business After Hours where you can make contacts with fellow business professionals. This is the perfect chance to build new business relationships and strengthen established relationships at a great venue with
good food and atmosphere. Take part in this networking event at Woodwork Manufacturing, at 403 S. Adams on Thursday, April 17, 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. |
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Smith's Market Receives Small Business Spotlight Award A local tradition since 1933, Smith’s Market offers fresh, quality produce in a friendly atmosphere. The company employs 10 full-time and a couple of part-time employees. “We rely on our employees to create the environment to bring people back” said Chris Barnes, Owner. “We greet people when they come in the store and we make it a personable experience.” The business packages over 200 varieties of candy, nuts and snack mixes as well as specialty and health foods, fresh roasted coffee beans, lotions and Circle E candies.
The family business, beginning with Henry Smith, opened as a retail store about half its current size, in the early 30s. In the late 1940s Laverne and Mary Burns, Henry’s daughter, purchased the store. In the early 50s, Henry's other daughter purchased the store; Bill and Emmaday Wright. Earl Barnes joined the staff in 1957 and watched the store double in size in 1961. In 1965, Earl and partner, Layton and June Burns bought the store. Earl Barnes became the sole owner of the store in 1985 after Burns retired. Chris and Gail Barnes, purchased the business in 2005.
In addition to the retail market at 211 S. Main, fifty percent of the business is wholesale. “We supply almost 75% of the restaurants in Hutchinson with fresh produce,” said Barnes. “We also send trucks to Newton and McPherson twice a week to deliver to our customers in those markets.” The wholesale side of the business is what allows Smith’s Market retail store the opportunity to house gourmet and specialty items. In 2007, Smith’s Market began a expansion and restoration project which resulted in an increase of 1,400 sq. ft. in the retail store. “The expansion has allowed us to expand our current product selection and provided the opportunity to enlarge current displays and bring in more gourmet and specialty items,” said Barnes. The store will continue to have changes made through 2008. The owners plan to remodel the existing interior of the store and renovate the exterior, all of which should be complete by the end of this year. When asked why they belong to the Chamber, Barnes replied, “We support the initiatives of economic and community development that the Chamber provides for our community. We also appreciate the networking opportunities that are available.” Smith’s Market has had a presence in Hutchinson/Reno County for many years, Barnes attributes their success to, “quality and taking care of our customers.” He continues, “We want our customers to remember the quality of our products and good service, that is what brings them back. Our goal is to always have them leave happy.” The Small Business Council selected Smith’s Market from nominations made by Chamber members. The award is given monthly to a Chamber business that exemplifies community spirit and superior business practices. Nominees must be a Chamber member in good standing, been in business for at least three years, and employ fewer than 25 people. The Small Business Spotlight Award is proudly sponsored by First National Bank of Hutchinson and Hutchinson Credit Union. |
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Nickels Honored as Ambassador of the Quarter Congratulations to Barb Nickels for having earned the designation as ‘Ambassador of the Quarter.'
She has achieved ‘Ambassador of the Quarter’ numerous times over the past years and for the 4th quarter of 2007. In 1996 she served as chair of the ambassadors. This designation is awarded the Chamber Ambassador with the best attendance at ribbon cuttings, membership functions, calls on members, and new membership sales. Barb and her husband, Jim, have been in the real estate business for many years; they are known as the Spouses Who Sell Houses, under the realty banner of Realty Executives. Their offices are located in the Hutchinson Mall. Currently the ambassadors committee is made up of 25 Chamber members who help the Chamber’s exposure and awareness throughout the community. Ambassadors conduct ribbon cuttings, act as greeters and master of ceremonies at Membership Breakfasts and Business after Hours events, as well as call upon Chamber members to touch base and assist the Chambers Membership Division in the development of new memberships. If you are interested in becoming a Chamber Ambassador, contact Tom Dooley for information.
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U.S. Cellular Sponsors April Membership Breakfast The April Chamber Membership Breakfast, sponsored by the U.S. Cellular, will be at the Grand Prairie Hotel and Convention Center, April 23, at 7:15 a.m. The featured speaker is Janet Harrah, Director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research at Wichita State University.
If you are interested in attending contact Belinda McClanahan at 662-3391, or register on-line. Cost is $10 per person or use your 2008 Flash Pass! |
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Chamber Hosts 'Winning Workplaces' Business Booster Make plans to participate in this informative training event. The focus is to provide creative, easy-to-implement ideas that can help you make your organization an attractive place to work. The presentation will provide suggestions and information on how local companies are currently attracting and retaining employees. Thursday, April 24 11:30 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. Chamber Conference Room 117 N. Walnut This event is intended to help organizations think ‘outside-the-box’ when it comes to attracting and retaining employees in Reno County. The panel is comprised of local human resource executives, who will address the following questions, and hopefully offer techniques or ideas that can then create new ideas to help with your organizations efforts. This specialized panel is compiled to address the issues and questions you might have about attracting and retaining employees in Reno County;
Topics to be discussed are;
While the panel will address the topics listed above, this event is meant to be interactive. So please come with questions and suggestions, we hope that this will be a brainstorming session that will provide organizations with creative ideas and tools to take back and implement in their efforts.
To reserve your spot at this training seminar log on to hutchchamber.com or call 662.3391. The cost for the event is $15.00 for members and $20.00 for non-members. Lunch will be included. This event is sponsored by the Workforce Development Center at HCC. |
Reminder to Submit Member Listing Updates The Chamber is working on the 2008/2009 Chamber Membership Directory. To ensure that your information is correct, please notify the Chamber with any necessary corrections. The deadline to submit updates is Friday, February 4, 2008. Changes and updates can be returned to Belinda by mail, fax or e-mail at belindam@hutchchamber.com The directory will be published in May and will be delivered in June. |
