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SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, JULY 1, 2015
Florence Area Business Beat
A service of the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
JULY 1, 2015 UPDATE
Welcome New Members!
Call or visit these new Chamber members and tell
them you’re glad they joined!
www.florencechamber.com
541-997-3128
Underwriters
2014-2015
Three Rivers Casino & Resort
Distinguished Sponsors
101 Things to Do
Banner Bank
Bi-Mart
Burns’s Riverside Chapel
Driftwood Shores Resort
Florence Heating & Sheet Metal
Fred Meyer Stores
KCST/Coast Radio
Oregon Pacific Bank
PeaceHealth Peace Harbor
Medical Center
Sea Lion Caves
Shippin’ Shack/Siuslaw Signs
& Graphics
Spruce Point Assisted Living
TR Hunter Real Estate
The Siuslaw News
Be sure to thank these
members for their investment
in our community!
Coastal Property Management
1780 W. 20 th , Florence, 997-1351
fl orenceoregonvacationrentals.com
Residential, commercial, and vacation rentals
Dairy Queen
125 Hwy 101, Florence 997-3672  
Quick service family restaurant internationally
known for taste treats and desserts.
Florence Moose Lodge #2110
1108 Quince St., 997-6691
Members and guests enjoy a place to relax, Sun-
day breakfast, and some evening dinners.
Le Chateau Inn
1084 Hwy 101, Florence 997-3481
Lechateauinnfl orence.com
Spacious, clean, aff ordable rooms, and pet-free.
Resto-Arts
1255 Bay St., 991-3322
Resto-Arts off ers quality, unique local art and
vintage treasures in historic Old Town Florence.
Rosa’s Mexican Restaurant
2825 Hwy 101 Florence 997-1144
Authentic Mexican food with friendly service,
generous portions, good online reviews.
Tax Freedom Retirement
1132 9th St., Florence 541-977-6199
“Use insurance to participate in stock gains
without losing any money.”
If you’d like to know more about the Florence Area
Chamber of Commerce and what it can do for you,
call 541-997-3128 or e-mail Cal Applebee at Cal@
FlorenceChamber.com
Coming Events
For even more information on
other exciting local events, visit
www.FlorenceChamber.com/
Calendar.
Noon Forum:
Th ird Th ursday of each month at
a new location to be announced
soon – visit Chamber’s website for
updates. Come enjoy food, friends,
and fun! Meet area business leaders
and fi nd out what’s going on in the
Florence business community!
July 16: “Technology in the Workplace.”
Find out what our panel of experts
has to say that will benefi t you and
your business. 12:00 p.m. to 1:00
p.m.
Business Aft er Hours:
Chamber members and the public
are invited to Business Aft er Hours,
an opportunity to network at a
local business, exchange business
leads and tips, and learn about the
business that is hosting.
July 2: Y Marina, 5:30-7:00pm at their
location 4390 Hwy 101; refreshments
and games including a fi shing booth.
July 16: Relay for Life hosts at Th e Bay
View at Best Western Pier Point Inn,
5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
August 6: Th e Siuslaw News invites
you to commemorate their 125th
anniversary. Details to come.
August 20: Coast Insurance Services
Details to come.
OTHER IMPORTANT
DATES & EVENTS
July
3: First Friday—Shop Old Town ’til 8:00
p.m.
4: Fireworks Display in Old Town,
Wings & Wheels Fly-in/Car Show
at Florence Airport, Pie/watermelon
contest; and fl ag living history
display in historic Old Town
September
11-13: Rods ‘n’ Rhodies Invitational Car
Show
12, 13: City Wide Garage Sale—FEC…
and everywhere around town
October
3 Oktoberfest—FEC
11 Chowder Festival—Historic Old
Town
November
11 Veterans’ Day Parade—Historic Old
Town
December
Florence Holiday Festival—City Wide
Meet Our
Corporate Underwriter
Three Rivers
Casino Resort
Sitting on a 100-acre site and nestled in
rolling sand dunes on the pristine Oregon coast,
Th ree Rivers Casino Resort off ers a great escape
in spectacular surroundings with the Pacifi c
Ocean as the backdrop and the wonderful town
of Florence at its doorstep. Opened in 2004 as a
casino-only facility, their success soon enabled the
Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua,
and Siuslaw Indians to expand the casino and open
an adjoining hotel in 2007. Since then they have
added, and continue to renovate and revitalize,
Ocean Dunes Golf Links as an attraction.
Th ree Rivers Casino Resort provides
resources and opportunities for tribal members,
and has become a pillar of community support in
the Florence region. In addition to providing local
jobs (the facility is the area’s largest employer)
Th ree Rivers has developed programs that reward
residents and tourists for shopping locally, and
sponsors arts programs for professional and
children’s theatre.
Th ree Rivers also works hard with other
businesses and organizations to promote Florence
as a destination for families who enjoy a wide
variety of activities. Th ey have received a number
of awards for food and entertainment off erings,
recognition as a leader in the environmental
community, made donations to dozens of local
and regional non-profi t organizations, and serve
a free lunch to all United States active duty and
military veterans on Veterans Day.
Th e Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
is proud to have Th ree Rivers Casino Resort as a
corporate Underwriter of our organization.
Get the Chamber’s
Membership
Advantages
• Networking
• Business Tips
• Cooperative Promotions
• Preferred Trade Status
Dozens of local residents and business leaders gathered June 4 for Business After
Hours and help owners Lisa Walter-Sedlacek and “Bamboo Dave” Sedlacek celebrate
Laurel Bay Gardens’ 26th year in business—and the 10th anniversary of their nursery
and garden center.
President’s Message
July 2015
By Jenna Bartlett, Chamber President,
General Manager, The Siuslaw News
It is an honor
and a privilege to
serve as Florence
Area Chamber of
Commerce president
this coming year. 
  Th e
Florence
Area Chamber of
Commerce is unique
in that we are the only
local
organization
whose mission is to
promote Florence as
one of the best cities in which to live, work, and
play. And we take that mission very seriously. 
  We take a pointed interest in the success
of our local businesses—we care if patrons
are dining in our restaurants, customers are
making purchases in our retail stores, and clients
are seeking assistance from our professional
service businesses. It is the Chamber’s priority
to ensure that both residents and out-of-town
customers are taking advantage of the wide
number of services our businesses have to off er.
  Th e Florence Area Chamber of Commerce
is dedicated to ensuring our city remains a
desired place in which to live and do business.
We will continue to carry out this plan of
action by focusing our eff orts on helping
to build a strong local economy, promoting
travel and tourism, and providing networking
and business development opportunities. 
 Th e Chamber staff , Chamber board, and I will
continually assess the services and programs we
off er you with the goal of increasing the value of
your Chamber membership. We are hard at work
providing you the opportunity to promote, build,
learn, and support our businesses and community.
When you see our executive director, Cal Applebee,
and his volunteers, please take a moment to thank
them for ALL that they do to make it happen!
This Month’s Business Tip:
If You Offer It,
Will They Buy?
This month’s business tip is offered by Jim
Mitchell of Coastal Fitness and Aquatics. If you’d
like to submit a tip for Business Beat on how to
operate a successful business, contact Cal Applebee
at Cal@FlorenceChamber.com
One of the most important ingredients for a
successful business is simple, but oft en overlooked
by both new entrepreneurs and seasoned
professionals: off ering a product or service that
they want to sell rather than meeting a need of
potential customers.
Starting and running a business requires the
proprietor to carefully research the market that
he/she wants to serve, and to provide the goods
and services that will be the most attractive and
benefi cial to that market. Oft en prospective
business owners (or even a current business
owner) will have a special talent or hobby and
decide to open a business based on their passion…
without considering whether or not there are
enough potential customers who will actually buy.
When I off er a new product or service as an
entrepreneur, I need to understand beforehand
who my primary consumer will be. Identifying
the size and scope of my target market is the
critical fi rst step. If my target population is
too narrow, too shallow, unable to aff ord, or
just plain uninterested, my chances for success
are proportionally diminished. Whatever the
conditions, or the multitude of ways to compete
in your niche, invest in the research to understand
the potential or shortcomings of your market. It
is less painful to look ahead with cautious realism
than to look back with regret.
People from all over the Florence area
gathered on June 18 for the Chamber’s
Business After Hours at Banner Bank.
Meet Our Newly Elected
Board Members
Jenna Bartlett,
Th e Siuslaw News
Jenna has lived in Florence for the past fi ve
years. She is the general manager of the Siuslaw
News and has served on various civic boards and
committees including the Boys and Girls Club,
Relay for Life, Veteran’s Day Parade, and has
been on the Chamber board for the past three
years. During her time on the Chamber board she
has volunteered on the Siuslaw Awards, Rhody
Showcase, marketing, Oktoberfest, City-wide
Garage Sale, Old Town, and e-committees.
Gary Cargill,
Flowers by Bobbi
Aft er vacationing in Florence over the years, Gary
and his family became residents in June 2005,
wooed by the small but friendly community
environment. His professional background
includes work with the US Army, State of
California Dept. of Corrections, self-employed
accounting and tax preparer, and owner of
Flowers by Bobbi for the past year. Community
involvement includes Florence Rotary Club
leadership and the Chamber’s Rods n’ Rhodies
Invitational Car Show committee.
Jennifer Connor,
Florence Events Center
Jennifer has lived in the Florence community
since 2011 and is the marketing specialist and
event coordinator for the Florence Events Center,
a member of the Florence Rotary Club, and the
bookkeeper for the Last Resort Players. She also
has professional affi liations with the Yaquina
Bay Optimist Club board, Rotary International
Group Study Exchange, Porthole Players Th eatre
Company, Writer’s on the Edge board, Newport
Chamber of Commerce, and as a volunteer with
the Girl Scouts of America.
Sue Gilday,
State Farm
Sue has been in Florence for 15 years and looks
forward to utilizing her experience in business,
fund raising, and community service to the
Chamber board. Her company was awarded the
Chamber’s Stu Johnston Business of the Year
Award for 2010. She currently serves on the
Oregon Coast Military Museum board where she
originated the annual Christmas Tree Festival, and
is an active member of the Florence Rotary Club.
Robbie Wright,
Siuslaw Broadband
As a small business owner in Florence for nearly
fi ve years, Robbie is very familiar with the
challenges of running a business in a small town.
He has served on the Chamber’s board for more
than a year and understands the critical role
the Chamber plays in the tourism industry and
helping to support its member businesses. Robbie
has served as chair of the e-committee and enjoys
helping the Chamber utilize the most eff ective
technologies possible.
Join the Florence Area Chamber of Commerce! • www.florencechamber.com • 541-997-3128
Have some good business advice? An event to promote? A story about your Chamber membership? To get an
article or notice published in Business Beat, e-mail Cal@FlorenceChamber.com by the third Friday of the month.
Publisher: Cal Applebee, Executive Director. Editor: Scott Steward, Creative Wave Marketing Solutions.