Sept/Oct 2013 - Inside Chappaqua

Chamber of Commerce Unites Residents and Merchants
What do a restaurant, a preschool,
a clothing retailer, and
a dentist have in common? All
are members of the Chappaqua-Millwood
Chamber of
Commerce, a local association
that aims to bring together
New Castle businesses and the
community.
The Chamber was founded
just over one year ago in
2012 by Rob Greenstein and
Christine Yeres, who hoped to
help local merchants expand
their businesses while at the
same time creating a sense
of community that many felt
had begun to fade over the
years. When the Chamber
was first formed, only a few of
the town’s many businesses
were members. Thanks to the
tremendous efforts of the
Chamber Board, that number
has grown to include over 170
diverse local enterprises
Carlyn Simpson Photo*
A Community-Minded Mission
The Chamber supports these
and other establishments with
the “Shop Local” initiative,
which encourages residents
to shop at smaller stores in
Chappaqua and Millwood instead
of at big-box chains. This
helps merchants by increasing
revenue and benefits customers
by providing a unique,
personalized shopping experience
that cannot be found at larger retailers.
As part of their plan to boost the
local economy, the Chamber promotes
the 3/50 Project, which reinforces the
economic benefits of shopping locally.
*Editor’s Note: Carolyn Simpson of
Doublevision Photographers graduated
from Syracuse University with a BFA
in Photography. Through her lens she
has photographed many things, from
the cobblestoned streets of Italy to the
smiling faces of families at holiday
time. With over 20 years of experience,
Carolyn strives to always capture the
essence of the moment. She specializes
in Events, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Portraits
and Architecture Photography.
By Paige Schoenberg
Hillary Clinton enjoying Chappaqua’s Summer Sidewalk Sales.
For every dollar spent at a local store,
more money is returned to the community
than would be if that money
was spent elsewhere.
Of every $100 spent locally, $68
comes back to the town through taxes,
payroll, and other expenditures, as
compared to only $43 for every $100
spent in a national chain.
The Chamber also participates in
the American Express Small Business
Saturday, a nationwide program advocating
the importance of supporting
small businesses.
The program, which provides free
marketing materials for merchants, is
run by the American Express Company
16 Inside Chappaqua September/October 2013
and backed by corporations such
as Facebook, Twitter, and FedEx.
Helping Business and the Community
Thrive Together
These campaigns are important
to revitalize the local
economy, but the Chamber
recognizes that creating a sense
of community is of equal value.
To achieve their goal of making
local businesses a part of the
greater community, the Chamber
has held several events,
designed to increase spirit and
bring residents into stores and
restaurants. Recent events
include the first annual Tails
to Trails pet fair in Millwood,
sponsored by Drug Mart and the
Millwood Animal Hospital, and
the May Madness Sweepstakes,
which gave customers a chance
to win one of four iPad minis
by registering at participating
merchants. Free family-friendly
movies were shown in Millwood
Park on Friday nights in June
and July.
During July, the Chamber
worked with the New Castle Recreation
and Parks Department to
host the Summer Concert Series,
which featured the Chappaqua
Orchestra and Bruce Springsteen
and Neil Diamond cover bands,
and local food vendors were on
hand to provide refreshments.
The Chamber hopes that these kinds
of larger events, in addition to the
popular Sidewalk Sales in late July, will
draw crowds from the surrounding
area as well.
Ready for a Busy Fall
New Castle residents have several
upcoming events to look forward to. In
October, the Chamber will organize its
second annual Fall Festival in downtown
Chappaqua. Planned activities
include pie-baking and doughnuteating
contests, hayrides, and food
tastings by local restaurants. Stores
will sponsor activities, and merchandise
will be available for purchase. The