Amid all the posts on social media complaining about the traffic in town, I have also read a deep concern for the small business owners due to the loss of business this traffic is causing. At the Chamber, we received an email from a woman in Genesee who said she turned around and went home rather than going downtown to shop due to the traffic. It is real but it is not something we can control. If you are looking for something you can control that would be a huge assistance to the businesses downtown, I suggest you visit the website of your favorite establishments and purchase some gift cards. This works for the shops, the restaurants and the coffee shops. This helps to stabilize the incoming flow of business, especially during what is normally the busiest time of year for the downtown area from the influx of tourists.
Evergreen is quite busy during the nice weather months with art festivals, concerts, food competitions, and all kinds of outdoor recreation. A big piece of the fun in our community comes from Evergreen Park & Recreation. Whether it is an event at one of their locations they prepare for and then break down for daily usage after the event; the free concerts we have enjoyed at two locations this summer; the boating on the lake with the extended hours during full moons (so fun!); or the new family movie nights and sleepovers in the park, EPRD has really raised the level of their offerings. “New-ish Executive Director Cory Vander Veen has quietly and quickly added a sand volleyball court at Wulf Rec Center and installed a disc golf course along the Buchanan Park trails. All of these options add to the existing programming of lake activities, classes in and around the rec centers and lake, and trail runs.
At the July 13 EPRD Board of Directors work session, they agreed to ask residents to extend an existing bond, set to sunset in 2025, to fund much-needed maintenance and repairs to the existing aging facilities. EPRD has been a wonderful partner in our community and with our local businesses. We are excited to see the improvements come to fruition.
Taste of Evergreen will be on Tuesday, September 19 at the Evergreen Lake House. Early bird pricing is available until August 22. We are excited to welcome back many of our local vendors and cannot wait to share with you some new entries to expand the event this year. In addition to delicious tastes and fun sips, there will be live music to enjoy. Tickets are available at evergreenchamber.org.
Upcoming Events:
Wednesday, Aug. 30, 4:30-5:30 pm
Connections and Cocktails
Location: Red Rocks Beer Garden
Join us for a cocktail and some quick networking.
Wednesday, Sept. 6, 7:30-9 am
Monthly Breakfast
Location: Troutdale Tavern
TOPIC: “Meet the Newbies” Join us for a discussion with the new county manager,
Joe Kerby, and our newest Chamber members.
$20 Members, $25 Not-Yet Members for Those Registered in Advance.
At the Door: $30 Members, $35 Not-Yet Members
Thursday, Sept. 14, 5-7 pm
“Business Unplugged”
After Hours Business Mixer
Location: Elk Run Assisted Living
Join us for some fun and lots of networking. $5 Members/$10 Not-Yet Members. Register in Advance
