Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce Newsletter

BENJAMIN MOORE’S

MAIN STREET MATTERS

THE GREATER WESTERLY-PAWCATUCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE • NEWSLETTER MAY 2014

MORE THAN A SHIPPING STORE

PARCEL CENTER, INC.

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Major and Minor Repairs Foreign and Domestic 401.596.8801

• FULL SERVICE SHIPPING AND PACKING VIA UPS, FEDEX EXPRESS, FREIGHT • COPY, PRINT, FAX CENTER • COPIER & LASER PRINTER TONER CARTRIDGE RECHARGING • PLUS SO MUCH MORE!

DISCOVER THE DIFFERENCE AT: www.parcelcenter.com 86198R

Wayne Moore Proprietor

20 Frontage Rd Westerly, RI

62 FRANKLIN ST., RT 1, OCEAN PLAZA, WESTERLY, RI TEL: (401) 596-0644

Like us at facebook.com/parcelcenterinc

SINCE 1988

WWW.WESTERLYCHAMBER.ORG

GREATER WESTERLY-PAWCATUCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

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MAIN STREET MATTERS BENJAMIN MOORE’S PROJECT REVITALIZES DOWNTOWN

Fabulous cake created by Vesta Bakery

Downtown Westerly has been abuzz with contractors ever since the Benjamin Moore Main Street Matters program kicked into full swing at the end of March. The excitement is palpable as store owners watch all of High Street get transformed with a fresh coat of paint.

“Winning this contest was one of the best things to ever happen to Westerly” stated attorney and Chamber President Richard Panciera. The investment being made by Benjamin Moore is incredible, and we are certain the Westerly color palette selected by the building owners will be beautiful.

The Westerly-Pawcatuck Chamber of Commerce, the economic engine of our community, spearheaded the aggressive 6 week voting campaign. Working closely along with Westerly Paints, the groups rallied the entire community to vote. With more than 840 towns in the competition last year, we are extremely fortunate and very proud that our efforts resulted in our town finishing in the top 20 for votes!

Once again, Westerly’s spirit soared and this Chamber was the vehicle that brought all together to do something incredible.

Special thanks to Chamber staff member Kirsten Petrizzo who helped create a video to promote votes, and to all of the

restaurants and bars that let us give regular announcements to their patrons asking guests to “vote bomb”. Thanks also to the Westerly Sun and WBLQ for giving great coverage of the campaign which helped increase awareness with the public, and all who shared on Facebook and other social media avenues. Most of all, thanks to Benjamin Moore for their amazing gift.

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GREATER WESTERLY-PAWCATUCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

NEW MEMBERS

MAY 2014

GRAND OPENING

HI-TECH MOLDS, LLC 15 Gray Lane Ashaway, RI 02804 401-315-5100 Fax 401-315-0766 Email: lteixeira@hitechprofiles.com www.hitechprofiles.com Contact: Lydia Teixeira

Hi-Tech Molds, LLC was formed in 2004 to meet the diverse and growing needs of blow mold manufactures by providing high quality, on time delivery of precision manufactured molds. Since its inception, Hi-Tech Molds, LLC has grown to become not only a leading mold manufacturer but a supplier of precision machined components that is capable of prototype to production quantities. Through the use of the latest in CAD/CAM software, cutting edge machining technology and the right attitude, we can exceed your expectations. We invite you to contact our sales and engineering department to discuss your machining and engineering needs.

NOTICE

REACHING OUT FOR HELP The Chamber is in need of a couple of old palette jacks and a cargo van or box truck.

Thanks for helping us spread the word.

GRAND OPENING FOR

BLUE BUTTERFLY FLORIST Blue Butterfly Florist will have its grand opening at 100 Main Street, Suite 2, Westerly on Saturday morning April 19 at 10:00 am. Rebecca Silva has been a florist in Westerly for the past eleven years serving Westerly, Watch Hill and the surrounding communities as well as near by Connecticut. Rebecca and her family are opening the flower shop for all floral needs, such as weddings, holidays, any special occasion along with your everyday gifts.

Rebecca features a whimsical and French compact style of flower artistry as well as adjusting to the customer’s visions and needs. The Blue Butterfly Florist name was created with the symbols of love, change and rebirth. The color blue in a butterfly is often thought to symbolize joy, color or a change in luck.

The new venture will provide a great service for the community, along with promoting the growth and prosperity of Westerly small businesses. The Silva family invites you to join them on Saturday April 19th at 10 am for the Grand opening of the Blue Butterfly Florist 100 Main St Westerly, RI 02891 401-218-2477 Fax 401-596-0332 Email: rsilvaltd@yahoo.com Contact: Rebecca Silva

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GREATER WESTERLY-PAWCATUCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

GRAND OPENING

LOCAL HEALTH FACILITY OPENS ITS DOORS

WITH A RIBBON CUTTING CEREMONY Nursing Placement, Home Health & Hospice Care in Westerly will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 9 at 10am at their 16 Granite Street Westerly location. In addition to the ribbon cutting, tours of the facility will be provided along with a raffle drawing of a $25 chamber of commerce gift certificate.

MEMBER NEWS PARCEL CENTER INC TOP SHIPPER FACILITY OF 2013

UPS recently announced Parcel Center Inc as a 2013 Top Shipper facility. This award was presented to Arthur and Zita Kachadourian on February 26 at the UPS Corporate Office based in Atlanta Georgia. The award is presented annually to the top 100 shipping facilities in the country. TPC placed in the Top 30, and has earned that designation since 2005. Parcel Center Inc. is located at 62 Franklin Street in Westerly

BANK OF BOSTON EQUITY BUILDER GRANT PROGRAM WELCOMES NEW MEMBER

Chelsea Groton Bank has become the newest member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston Equity Builder Grant Program, helping to expand homeownership opportunities in this community. Now, income-eligible first time home buyers, who earn no more than 80% of the median income, interested in purchasing a home in CT or RI, can apply for a grant through Chelsea Groton for up to $15,000 to help with down payment and closing costs. Applications are now being accepted. email mortgagecenter@chelseagroton.com

SOUTH COUNTY RANKED AT THE TOP

South County Hospital was ranked the top hospital in New England by patients, according to the latest HCAHPS survey.

The survey contains patient perspectives on care and patient rating items that encompass nine key topics: communication with doctors, communication with nurses, responsiveness of hospital staff, pain management, communication about medicines, discharge information, cleanliness of the hospital environment, quietness of the hospital environment, and transition of care.

See MEMBER NEWS / Page 6

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GREATER WESTERLY-PAWCATUCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

MAY 2014

MEMBER NEWS PLOTS OF LAND SET TO FEED THE HUNGRY

The Denison Pequotsepos Nature Center is pleased to announce the first major initiative for its new property, the Coogan Farm. In February, the Nature Center, United Way of Southeastern Connecticut and the Robert G. Youngs Family Foundation signed an agreement that promises to bring fresh food to thousands of hungry residents of New London County daily.

TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT BELLA VITA SALON

Congratulations to the dynamic and incredibly talented Maria Allen of Bella Vita Salon in downtown Westerly! Her business is celebrating its Ten year anniversary!

NEW MEMBERS JOIN THE BOARD OF RENAISAANCE CITY THEATRE INC.

The Renaissance City Theatre Inc. the producing arm of The Granite Theatre recently elected three new members to their Board of Directors. Gilbert Bricault, President announced that Lisa Clough, Ann Gestrich and Robert Kenahan are now members of the Board.

The two acres will be divided into smaller plots, each of which is available for sponsorship by a business or organization. Local community groups or individuals can garden the plots, and the food grown will go to the United Way. During the harvesting season, the United Way will collect produce from the garden Monday through Friday, and distribute it via feeding centers and its Mobile Food Pantry. Sponsorships are available for The Giving Garden. Please call 860-5361216 for information.

CONGRATULATIONS!

Congratulations to Dunns Corners Market on their 25th Anniversary in Business, May 5! The Chamber extends its best wishes to this community minded business.

Update on Electric Eve 5k – a Neon Glow Run June 27 at Misquamicut Beach ElectricEveRI.Com

ELMRIDGE GOLF COURSE

SPONSORS

L& M Westerly Hospital has signed on as the exclusive SPOTLIGHT sponsor.

Exhibiting their commitment to health and fitness, as well as demonstrating generous community support, L & M Westerly Hospital is proud to partner with our

Great venue for Fundraisers.

Our 27 hole layout can accommodate up to 216 players!

Chamber for this family event. Other sponsorship levels are available so please visit the website for details.

REGISTRATION OPEN NOW!

You do not want to miss this fabulous event. Go on line to ElectricEveRI.com for all the details. Registration prices are at their lowest now, and increase closer to event date of June 27.

VOLUNTEERS

If you would like to be part of the team that insures a safe and memorable event, contact us at westerlychamber.org

FOOD VENDORS SOUGHT

Please consider being a food vendor.

860-599-2248

INTERESTED IN CREATING AN LED DISPLAY FOR THE RACE COURSE?

The Clubhouse at Elmridge

The clubhouse at Elmridge is now accepting bookings for your Wedding Reception, Business Function, or other special event.

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Call 860-599-9005 for more information.

Elmridge Road, Pawcatuck, CT • www.elmridgegolf.com

ELECTRIC EVE JUNE 27

Businesses in Misquamicut are asked to decorate their buildings as part of the festivities. Additionally, the race course will be a dizzying display of colors and lights. If your organization would like to create a display on behalf of your business and have it be part of the course, contact Lisa Konicki@westerlychamber.org.

WWW.WESTERLYCHAMBER.ORG

MEMBER NEWS

GREATER WESTERLY-PAWCATUCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

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CHAMBER DONATION

WHO’S THAT GIRL?

Meet Ashley Culver. Ashley is the cover girl on this year’s Go Westerly Magazine.

She is pictured enjoying a day at Westerly’s beaches and holding a starfish. Ashley’s image was also used to create an attractive table top exhibit that is sued when The Chamber participates in travel shows promoting our community. Thanks to talented photographer Maria Scaglione for capturing these beautiful images.

NEW SIGN Our Chamber continues to invest and improve our two-state downtown. This new way finding sign in Pawcatuck was just erected as a joint effort between our organization and the Town of Stonington. The sign matches the 4 already on display in Westerly, helping create a seamless and consistent appearance at the border of the two towns.

The Greater Westerly Chamber Foundation awarded a $1,000 Façade Improvement Grant to the Renaissance City Theatre Inc., also known as the Granite Theatre. The funds were approved unanimously by the Greater Westerly Chamber Foundation to support the renovation work taking place at the historic property. Specifically, the funds will be used towards exterior paint and a new awning.

“The Granite Theatre is a jewel in our community and has done a great deal to spur economic activity for our restaurants and retailers. It has also hosted numerous community events and chamber of commerce activities over the years. This grant, and the upcoming Fashion Trashion fundraiser on April 22 are examples of how the WesterlyPawcatuck Chamber can to show support of this local treasure”, said Lisa Konicki, Chamber Executive.

The Greater Westerly Chamber Foundation is a non-profit, 501c3 division of the Greater Westerly-Pawcatuck Area Chamber of Commerce. The Façade Improvement program is funded equally by Rhode Island Housing through the Keepspace Westerly initiative, and funds from the Greater Westerly Chamber Foundation. In the past 2 years, more than $10,700 has been awarded to local businesses to help them repair doors, window, awnings or replace signage or exterior paint. The program requires a 100% match by the business, and the funds are available only to businesses in historic downtown Westerly-Pawcatuck.

Daily Block Island Service- Since 1970 85834R

Westerly 401-596-2460 • Toll Free 800-243-2460 e-mail: flyBI@BIRI.com • www.block-island.com/nea

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GREATER WESTERLY-PAWCATUCK CHAMBER OF COMMERCE NEWSLETTER

MAY 2014

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