Small businesses are struggling to survive in East Meadow, but the continues to plan events and fundraisers for stores and the community.
Chamber President Millie Jones opened the June 6 general meeting at . In attendance were merchants representing diverse companies headquartered in East Meadow, from to .
After recapping last month’s agenda, Jones announced that the Chamber would celebrate new restaurant openings on June 19 with additional ribbon cuttings.
“We’re really trying to promote each other’s businesses,” she said. “It’s tough out there… I can’t tell you how many businesses went out of business this week in East Meadow.”
To raise awareness for East Meadow’s existing businesses, Treasurer Mitchell Allen said that the board had received a grant from Sen. Kemp Hannon, R-Garden City, which allowed them to erect a new road sign displaying the names of several East Meadow businesses.
“We are, as an organization, focusing on helping you grow your business and this is one of the ways we’re going to do it,” Allen said.
The sign is located on Hempstead Turnpike by the Meadowbrook State Parkway.
Tom Vogel, who manages the Chamber’s website, added that the organization was also revamping its page to include more photos and help bring East Meadow businesses higher up on search engines.
“[The website] is a great tool,” Jones said. “And we really want to get it where it should be.”
The Board seeks to involve East Meadow residents as well, offering incentives for those who patronize the community’s businesses, Rose Fuger explained. She stated that the Chamber’s “Shop Local Program” was successful, allowing members of the local PTA to claim rebates on purchases from participating East Meadow businesses. Additionally, the Chamber will prepare “welcome baskets” with business cards of local merchants to give to new homeowners.
Fuger said that the Chamber is also in the process of preparing football cards, which the football team will sell; the profit will be split to benefit both organizations.
Then from June to August, the Chamber will host networking events open to all East Meadow professionals— including a Dave and Buster’s dinner in Westbury on June 19 and a wine tasting tour on August 12.
The next open meeting for East Meadow’s Chamber of Commerce is scheduled for September 5.
What else can the Chamber of Commerce do to help business thrive in East Meadow? Tell us in the comments.
