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Avery County Chamber of Commerce Held Annual Open House on Thursday; Check Out Event Photos Here

By Madison Fisler Lewis

From left to right: Chamber Executive Director Melynda Pepple, Secretary Babette McAuliffe and Board President Nancy Morrison
From left to right: Executive Director Melynda Pepple, Secretary Babette McAuliffe and President Nancy Morrison

Jan. 30, 2015. On Thursday, Jan. 29, members and potential members of the Avery County Chamber of Commerce were treated to an open house event at the Chamber Office. As expected, more than 100 people turned up for the evening, which featured hors d’oeuvres courtesy of local businesses as well as door prizes donated by local business owners, music and more.

The Open House also served as a networking event, where members could get to know each other better and non-members could get to know the chamber.

“We had about 100 people, which is right what we expected,” said Executive Director Melynda Pepple.

In addition to networking, members were encouraged to pay their chamber dues at a reduced cost and non-members were invited to join the chamber of commerce.

“We did get a few new memberships, and we had a lot of people confirm their membership again, so that was great,” Pepple said.

“It was just perfect. We got such a great response from help in the community for food and door prizes. Even at the last minute, people were willing to help. That was really heartwarming for me to see how everyone in the Chamber really pulls together and I was just really blown away.”

Food and prize donors for this year’s event include the following:

  • Banner Elk Winery
  • Linville Falls Winery
  • Grandfather Winery
  • Bella’s Restaurant
  • Cam Rahn Bay Restaurant
  • Crestwood Resort
  • Nick’s Restaurant
  • Subway
  • Jackalope’s Restaurant
  • Erick’s Cheese and Wine
  • Gadabouts Catering
  • River Dog Cafe
  • Eat Crow
  • Valle de Bravo Mexican Restaurant
  • Puerto Nuevo Mexican Restaurant
  • Yum-Yum Cafe
  • Riverwalk Pizza
  • Sorrento’s Pizza
  • Lowe’s Foods
  • Food Lion
  • Williams YMCA
  • Radio Shack
  • Nancy Stroupe Morrison
  • Fred’s General Mercantile
  • Mast General Store
  • Grandfather Mountain
  • Mountain Dog and Friends
  • Pedalin’ Pig
  • Crossnore Weavers and Gallery

“I was just to thrilled to see everyone here and that’s what it is all about: networking and lifting each other up. Helping each other is what we are all about,” said Pepple.

The Avery County Chamber of Commerce office is located at 4501 Tynecastle Highway Unit 2 in Banner Elk in the Shoppes at Tynecastle, at the intersection of N.C. 105 and N.C. 184.

Executive Director Melynda Pepple and Board President Nancy Morrison. Photo by Jim Swinkola
Melynda Pepple and Nancy Morrison. Photo by Jim Swinkola
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Approximately 100 people attended the open house event. Photo by Ken Ketchie
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Attendees enjoyed refreshments courtesy of chamber members. Photos by Ken Ketchie.
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A view of the open house crowd. Photo by Ken Ketchie.