Chamber @FergusChamber
belong. connect. succeed.
October 2019
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29 5:00-8:00 PM
BIGWOOD EVENT CENTER
CHAMBER’S ANNUAL MEETING DELICIOUS FOOD SAMPLES • AUCTIONS • GAMES
Silent Auction – valuable items: gift baskets, home decor, tools, clothing, advertising & much more!! “Chance Baskets” – buy chances to win awesome, local gift baskets Live Auction with AASNESS AUCTIONEERS • Wall of Wine & Craft Beer • Mystery Wheel – everyone wins! CORPORATE SPONSORS
FOOD EXHIBITORS INCLUDE:
Fergus Falls Chamber and Greater Fergus Falls Rally Around Retailers The retail environment is changing across the country and Fergus Falls is no different…or is it? Over the past two months, Chamber President Lisa Workman and Greater Fergus Falls CEO Annie Deckert have visited several retailers in the community, including, but not limited to Sears, Dunham’s, Home Depot, Fleet Farm, Radio Shack/Design Electronics, Maurices, Walmart, Walgreens and more. “We are proud to report that of the businesses visited, 100% indicated they are doing very well,” said Deckert. “A few stores boast sales at or near the top of their region or nationwide. This a testament to our community’s desire to support local businesses, including major retailers,” added Workman. A recent news report stated that there has been a 29% increase in retail store closings as of July 2019 as compared to the number of closings that occurred in all of 2018. An estimated 12,000 stores are set to close by yearend with several others up for consideration. Industry insiders claim that an estimated 75,000 stores will close by 2026 if e-commerce rises to 25% from its current level of 16%. “As a regional center, we don’t want to see any
more stores close. We’re working together with GFF and our local retailers to do everything we can to assist them being successful in Fergus Falls,” said Workman. Local sales numbers indicate that people truly understand the value and impact of of shopping locally. CEO Annie Deckert says, “With the monumental shift in society’s shopping patterns and habits, it’s more crucial than ever that we are choosing local when purchasing goods and services. At Greater Fergus Falls, it is important our local business owners and retailers are familiar with our services and know that we are here to do everything we can to support them and best position them for success.”
The main challenge businesses report facing are finding quality employees to fill vacancies. “We want to encourage residents to take advantage of the additional seasonal openings. Now is the perfect time to land a ‘side hustle’ and pay down debt or save for a vacation. You’d also make our retailers more successful – it’s a win-win situation when you shop with or work for our retailers,” added Workman. While the majority of recent closures have yet to directly impact Fergus Falls, GFF and the Chamber know that pre-emptive efforts are imperative. As an objective, the Chamber is collaborating with GFF for an enhanced Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) program “Grow Fergus Falls!” The team will create and execute an outreach element that targets not only potentially affected retailers but all local businesses. We want to ensure we are not duplicating efforts but partnering with entities to make a larger impact. To find out more, contact Lisa Workman at the Fergus Falls Area Chamber of Commerce: 218-736-6951 or Annie Deckert, Greater Fergus Falls: 218-321-2079.
Solutions to support a growing economy.
218.998.4041 mooreengineeringinc.com
www.otpco.com • 800-257-4044
Security State Bank Experience the Advantage®
409 South Robert Street • Fergus Falls, MN 56537 www.northerncontours.com • 218-998-1700
Member FDIC
117 S. Mill St. Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (218) 739-3377 • (888) 389-3377 (218) 739-9487 Fax
Beyond the Connection Smart Wi-Fi for your home and business Call our office for details 998-2000
Computer got you down? Call Cooper’s for all your PC needs. Remote Mac & PC Service & Repair BEST-in-class remote Computer Troubleshooting support is just a call away ID Protection Settings Email Set Up Fast, Virus & Spyware Removal Easy, Software Installation Printer Set Up Secure Configure your Mac or PC Set Up Customer Back Up Solution
128 E. Washington Ave. • Fergus Falls, Minnesota 56537
218-736-5485 • www.ssbfergus.com Fax: 218-736-4364
@ @ParkRegionTelephone
102 East Lincoln Ave • Fergus Falls 218-739-5295 • www.coopersinc.com
Chamber @FergusChamber
belong. connect. succeed.
October 2019
Chamber Café Thursday, November 14 Hosted by:
CHAMBER EVENTS OCTOBER 9, 16, 23 Training: Microsoft Excel, 9am-12pm, West Central Initiative 9 Ambassador Visits, 10am-12pm 10 Career & College Expo, 8:30am-12pm, Kennedy Secondary School 16 Young Professionals Network “Knowledge@Noon” City Leaders, 12-1pm, FF Public Library 29 14th Annual TASTE of Fergus Falls, 5-8pm, Bigwood Event Center
NOVEMBER
7:30 - 9:00 am
American Naitonal Bank 727 Western Avenue North, Fergus Falls $5 Members, $10 General Public
Anniversary and New Members
7-8 8 13 14 14 18
TACO JOHN’S
DR. ZACK
25
50th Anniversary
New Business & New Member
30
Governor’s Deer Hunting Opening, Fergus Falls “Big Buck Brunch” 10-11:30am, Bigwood Event Center Ambassador Visits, 10am-12pm Chamber Café, 7:30-9am, American National Bank of MN Young Professionals Network “Off the Clock” Social, 5pm, Z103 Bar & Grill Training: Facebook Pages, 8-10am, Lakes Country Service Cooperative Training: Creating Social Media a Strategy, 8-11am, Lakes Country Service Cooperative Small Business Saturday, Shop, Drop ‘n Win Kickoff
DECEMBER 1-16 2 7 11
Shop, Drop ‘n Win Training: Digital Presence, 10am-12pm, Lakes Country Service Cooperative “Over the River Festival”, downtown Ambassador Visits, 10am-12pm
JANUARY 2020 9
MEMBER Mary Widiger (Fergus Home & Hardware), Lisa Workman (Chamber), Don Mollerud (LB Homes), Megan Shubitz (American National Bank), Brian Fuder & Staff (Taco John’s), Alisha Haugen (Lake Region Healthcare), Kris Wilke (Victor Lundeen Co.), Nicki Gale-Youngberg (Olson Funeral Home), Crystal Piekarski (Marco). Russ Rapp (Leighton Broadcasting), Brian Riches (Country Financial), Jackie Formo (Chamber).
Join us in congratulating Taco John’ss n on their 50th Anniversary. Opened in Fergus Falls in the 1970s, this family-owned business has seen many changess over the years. The current building was built in 1995 and continues to serve the community with topnotch service and smiles. For breakfast, lunch and dinner – from potato ole’s to nachos and tacos you can’t go wrong, everybody loves Taco John’s! You can stop in at 1212 N Union Ave in Fergus Falls and taste the great Mexican food served for 50 years and see why they are an American favorite. You can also find them on their website at tacojohns.com.
COOKING WITH MAMASHEENA
Chamber Café, 7:30-9am, hosted by Noon Kiwanis
FEBRUARY 2020
Nicki Gale-Youngberg (Olson Funeral Home), Lisa Workman (Chamber), Crystal Piekarski (Marco), Alisha Haugen (Lake Region Healthcare), Megan Shubitz (American National Bank), Mary Widiger (Fergus Home & Hardware), Brian Riches (Country Financial), Dr. Zack Stach (Dr. Zack), Kris Wilke (Victor Lundeen Co.), Don Mollerud (LB Homes), Jackie Formo (Chamber).
27th Annual Battle of the Businesses Bowling Tournament, 12:45-7pm, Northern Aire Lanes
1
MARCH 2020 12 17
Chamber Café, 7:30-9am, HOST OPPORTUNITY Showcase Fergus Falls, 2-6pm, Bigwood Event Center
MAY 2020 14
Chamber Café, 7:30-9am, Fergus Home & Hardware
Help us we welcome elc lcom lcom ome e Dr D Dr. r Za Z Zack ack k tto o th the he Fe F Ferg Fergus erg rgu u Falls Chamber. JULY 2020 Dr. Zack focuses on evidence-based chiropractic care and helps people reach their health goals. What is evidencebased chiropractic care? We follow the current research to be sure we are providing you with the best treatment possible. Dr. Zack is located at 109 N Mill St. and can be reached at (320) 333-939. You can also check Dr. Zack out on his website at drzack.janeapp.com to set up an appointment today.
T. WALLS PLUMBING, INC.
9 16
Shop, Move ‘n Groove Chamber Café, 7:30-9am, HOST OPPORTUNITY
AUGUST 2020 21
“Safari Par-Tee” Golf Scramble, 12-7pm, Pebble Lake Golf Club
SEPTEMBER 2020 10
Chamber Café, 7:30-9am, M State
NOVEMBER 2020 12
Chamber Café, 7:30-9am, HOST OPPORTUNITY
New Business & New Member
THANK YOU!
New Business & New Member
Membership Renewals September 2019 MEMBER Nicki Gale-Youngberg (Olson Funeral Home), Alisha Haugen (Lake Region Healthcare), Tasheena Fiskum (Cooking with MamaSheena), Lisa Workman (Chamber), Mary Widiger (Fergus Home & Hardware), Crystal Piekarski (Marco), Brian Riches (Country Financial), Jackie Formo (Chamber), Kris Wilke (Victor Lundeen Co.), Megan Shubitz (American National Bank), Don Mollerud (LB Homes), Annie Deckert (Greater Fergus Falls).
Please welcome Cooking with MamaSheena to the Fergus Falls Chamber. Tasheena Fiskum caters from breakfast to dinner and everything in between for meetings, special events, along with weekend cooking classes to Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. Tasheena also provides monthly meal planning, freezer meals and recipes to help you with your busy life answering the age-old question “What’s for dinner?” Check out the website at mamasheenas.blog or call Tasheena: (763) 6147126.
Remembering for generations
Nikki and Tyler Walls (T. Walls Plumbing Inc.), Amanda Childs (Fergus Falls Daily Journal), Crystal Piekarski (Marco), Nicki Gale-Youngberg (Olson Funeral Home), Kris Wilke (Victor Lundeen Co.), Mary Widiger (Fergus Home & Hardware), Megan Shubitz (American National Bank), Lisa Workman (Chamber), Alisha Haugen (Lake Region Healthcare), Brian Riches (Country Financial). Russ Rapp (Leighton Broadcasting), Don Mollerud (LB Homes), Jackie Formo (Chamber).
Please welcome T. Walls Plumbing to the Chamber of Fergus Falls. With 20+ years of experience, “T” Tyler provides residential and commercial plumbing service, anything from minor repairs to new installations in the Fergus Falls area. T. Walls Plumbing offers high quality workmanship with great customer service and is fully licensed, bonded and insured for your protection and peace of mind. If you’re looking at doing some upgrades to your plumbing or thinking about a water treatment system, give T. Walls Plumbing a call today at (218)-739-6235 or by email at t.wallsplumbing@gmail.com. You can also visit their website at twallsplumbing.com.
PIONEERcare
ͻ WŝŽŶĞĞƌ ^ŚŽƌƚ^ƚĂLJ Therapy ͻ WŝŽŶĞĞƌ ĂƌĞ ĞŶƚĞƌ Skilled Nursing ͻ WŝŽŶĞĞƌ ŽƩĂŐĞƐ Memory Care ͻ WŝŽŶĞĞƌ WŽŝŶƚĞ Apartments ͻ WŝŽŶĞĞƌ>ŝŶŬΠ Home Technology
218.998.1500 | www.pioneercare.org 736-3228 • 800-664-2549 • 1710 Pebble Lake Rd • Fergus Falls • FergusMonument.com
An equal opportunity provider and employer
Anytime Plumbing, LLC Doug Thorson Sales ExSalonce Federated Church Kindred Family Focus Leighton Broadcasting Maurices Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church/School Pinnacle Pro Floor Care Possibility Business Signworks Signs & Banners, Inc. The Fabled Farmer The Market The Spot Panini & Wine West Central Initiative
NEW MEMBER Jordan Rasmusson Independent Management Consultant Joten Lake Acres 28806 Joten Lake Rd., Dalton, MN 56324 (218) 589-7023 Stoltenburg Errand and Chore Services, LLC Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (218) 671-3089 SubZero Insulation LLC P.O. Box 262 Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (218) 301-3626 Quality | Service | Convenience
THERE’S SO MUCH TO DO HERE. STAY HEALTHY FOR IT.
120 N Mill St Fergus Falls, MN 56537 (218) 739-0200
serving you best since 1938!
lrhc.org
998-9000 • 321 W. Lincoln Ave., Fergus Falls LBHomes.org 218.998.1400
Growing your small business? We can help you! 205 West Washington Ave. Fergus Falls | Member FDIC
The Fun Place To Shop!
Call Jerry Polejewski at 218.998.5603 for a quick loan turnaround.
14178
LB Alcott Manor LB Broen Home LB Connect LB Home Care LB Hospice LB Sheridan House LB Short Stay LB Woodland Lodge
Your Landmark in Historic Downtown Fergus Falls www.victorlundeens.com • (218) 736-5433 Hours: M-F 8-5:30 , Th 'til 7 pm, Sat 9-
Stop in for a visit!