by Madison V. Fisler
Jan. 31, 2014. Last night, the Avery County Chamber Staff along with the Board of Directors and State and Local Representatives held the Avery County Chamber’s 5th annual Open House at 5 p.m.
More than 100 people attended this year’s event, making it the largest open house yet.
“Over five years this event has taken on a life of its own,” said Susan Freeman, executive director of the Avery Chamber of Commerce.
“We saw a lot of new faces and had 8 new members join, and the restaurants were just phenomenal. They sure didn’t hold back and we are so grateful for what they donated.”
Refreshments were provided from local restaurants including Bayou Smokehouse, Carolina Barbeque, The Table at Crestwood, Subway, Nick’s Restaurant, Lowry’s Barbeque Company, Mountain Grounds Coffee and Tea Company, Jackalope’s Restaurant, Erick’s Wine and Cheese, Food Lion, Lowe’s Foods, Gadabout’s Catering, Henry’s, Little D’s Sugar on Top Bakery and Coffee shop, Quiznos, Earth Fare, Linville Falls Winery and Puerto Nuevo.
In addition to the networking and refreshments, the Chamber also offered a drawing for more than 15 donated door prizes. Participants dropped their business card into a jar to be drawn for prices through the night.
Prizes included a spa treatment from Heavenly Touch, two gift certificates for My Best Friends Barkery, the Williams YMCA and Grandfather Mountain, wine from Grandfather Winery and Linville Falls Winery, a gift basket from Life Care Center of Banner Elk, a beautifully framed print from Resort Real Estate and Rentals at Sugar Mountain, a beautiful painting by Avery Chamber President Nancy Stroupe Morrison, a certificate to Little D’s on Sugar Mountain, a Perfect Tan & Nail certificate, a gift basket from Dr. Carol Schaffer, DDS, a signed book by the author by Mountain Dog and Friends and so much more, said Teresa Bledsoe, office manager of the Avery Chamber of Commerce.
“It was even better than we expected,” Bledsoe said.
Special guests at the event included Josh Dobson, County Commissioners and April Riddle, a representative from Governor McCrory’s office.
“It was a great time, everyone had fun,” said Freeman. “Now we are just looking forward to our next event.”
“We are so grateful for the participation of our members and the support of their membership,” Freeman said. “We really enjoy giving back to our members.”
Not yet a member of this very active chamber working hard to earn and keep our membership support? Call 898-5605 or stop by the Avery Chamber office and learn of the many benefits they can offer your business. The Avery Chamber office is located in the Shoppes of Tynecastle and open 10-4 daily.
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