~ 96th Year Serving Charlotte County ~
Punta Gorda ~ Port Charlotte ~ Englewood ~ Charlotte Harbor ~ Murdock
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BUSINESS ONLINE
~ Monday, February 1, 2021 ~
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2020-2021 Sustaining Partners
Sustaining Partner businesses provide additional financial support annually to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce which, in turn, provides them with additional valuable membership benefits. These contributions to the chamber allow for the continued increase of promotion, advocacy, involvement, and leadership at the local, state and federal levels. This is done to always be proactive in support of our businesses and the community we serve.
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*Supreme Charter Sustaining Partner (no years missed) *Charter Sustaining Partner
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Chamber Events and Updates |
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Networking at Noon - Blu Grotto Italian Ristorante
Wednesday, February, 10, Noon - 1 p.m. (But arrive early!)
992 Tamiami Trail, Unit F, Port Charlotte, FL 33948
RESERVATION REQUIRED - Call the Chamber at 941-627-2222
Third Wednesday Coffee - Charlotte Harbor Event and Conference Center
Wednesday, February 17, 7:15 a.m. - 8:30 a.m.
SPECIAL PREVIEW -
The March 17th Third Wednesday Coffee will be on the road at Jarrett Ford of Charlotte County.
Survey says! Please don't forget to complete the four question "Got a Minute?" survey before Friday. If you missed it, it's in your inbox, and your input is needed as we move the chamber forward.
The recently graduated Leadership Charlotte Class of 2020 continues to move forward with their amazing class project to benefit the youth of Charlotte County. For more information on how can assist with this important initiative, please click the button below:
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ADT Security
2429 Cattleman Road
Sarasota, FL 34232
239-316-8150
Flora Gutierrez, Adam Davis
adt.com/local/fl/sarasota
Cutco Closing Gifts and 360 Business Growth
461 S. Yellowstone Drive
North Fort Myers, FL 33917
239-989-8635
Ray Gomes, Cara Gomes
raygomes.com
Elie Electric Services, LLC
1512 Nina Street
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-763-5348
Robert Elie
elieelectricservices.com
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SUP Englewood
2120 S. McCall Road
Englewood, FL 34224
941-265-2925
Nicole Killian
supenglewood.com
The Pier
1200 West Retta Esplanade, Unit 15
Punta Gordam, FL 33950
941-347-8116
Christoper Evans, Lauren Carnali
thepierpg.com
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Congratulations RENEWING Members
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November 16, 2020 - January 15, 2021 |
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45+ Years
Bayfront Health Punta Gorda
Fawcett Memorial Hospital
40+ Years
Sun Coast Media Group
Sunland Paving Company
35+ Years
Coldwell Banker Realty
Fulton Pools
Royal Palm Senior Living
SKY Family YMCA at Franz Ross
South Port Square
Visual Arts Center
Webb, Lorah and McMillan, PLLC
30+ Years
Ambitrans Ambulance
Charlotte State Bank and Trust
Dockside Marine Service
25+ Years
Marketing Arm International
Mr. Appliance of Charlotte, DeSoto and So.
Sarasota Counties
Olsen, Lynch and Wright, CPAs, PA
Peace River Manasota Regional Water
Supply Authority
Tidewell Hospice
20+ Years
Charlotte Heart and Vascular Institute
Dean's South of the Border
Happy Home Services
Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor
and Convention Bureau
Sage Homes
SCORE Port Charlotte Office
True Blue Pool Store
Virginia B. Andes Volunteer Community
Clinic
15+ Years
Byrski Estate and Elder Law
Charlotte County Water/Rainsoft
Frantz EyeCare
Key Agency
Kirkus Aire
Marianne L. Lilly - RE/MAX Harbor Realty
Panther Hollow Dental Lodge
Peace River Wildlife Center
Peninsula Property
Suncoast One Title & Closings, Inc.
Sharon L. Kerr - Coldwell Banker
Sunstar Realty
Sharon Neuhofer - Coldwell Banker
Sunstar Realty
Star Hospitality Management
10+ Years
Chapman Insurance Group
Charlotte Plumbing
Faith Lutheran Church
Grande Aire Services
Ian Vincent and Associates
Isles Yacht Club
Janine H. Smith
Korman Relief and Wellness Center
Pest Eliminators
Pulsafeeder
Punta Gorda Waterfront Hotel and Suites
State Attorneys Office
Stephen R. Deutsch, Charlotte County
Commissioner
Tampa Bay Rays
The BoogieMen Rock and Soul Revue
Tri County Air Conditioning and Heating
T's Plus, Inc./Sign Stop Plus
Zoomers Southwest Florida Running
and Triathlon Club
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9 Years
Brigon Homes
Gulf Coast Chiropractic Center
Nurse on Call Home Health Care
Paul Andrews, ERA Advantage Realty
Southern Oxygen and Welding Supply
8 Years
Certain Services
Port Charlotte Answering Service
7 Years
American RV Technology
Guerzo Business Consulting
Punta Gorda History Center
A Better Solution of Punta Gorda
First Presbyterian Church of Port Charlotte
6 Years
Gable Home Inspections
Guardian ad Litem Foundation-20th Judicial
Circuit
Peace River Airboat Tours
5 Years
Dancing Moon Travel
Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and
Event Center
Leroy's Southern Kitchen and Bar
Lutz, Bobo & Telfair, P.A.
Chapman Insurance Group
The Boat House
4 Years
Anytime Fitness Punta Gorda
BrightStar Care Port Charlotte
Coffee News Works 4 U
First International Title
Nix & Associates Real Estate
Suncoast One Title and Closings
The Lake Doctors
3 Years
Eye Centers of Florida
Kuhns Law Firm
Microtel Inn and Suites
Ray Newberry Well Drilling
Society of St. Vincent de Paul, Sacred Heart
Conference
2 Years
A-C Services
Balloon Excitement
Energy Harness Corporation
EZ Mobile Marine
Paradise Golf Course
1 Year
Carolyn Gorton - Coldwell Banker Realty
Payne Ryan
Family Foot and Leg Center
CFS Roofing
Chelsea Place Senior Care
Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions
S&N Motorsports
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Expo Sponsors:
(So far!)
Platinum Title Sponsor- Chapman Insurance Group
Platinum Title Sponsor- Total Air Solutions
Gold Presenting Sponsor- Burnt Store Title and Escrow
Bronze Participating Sponsor- American Imaging of SW Florida
Bronze Participating Sponsor- Charlotte Health Solutions
Bronze Participating Sponsor- Life Care Center of Punta Gorda
Bronze Participating Sponsor- The Mortgage Firm
Bronze Participating Sponsor- The Mosaic Company
Business After Party Sponsor- Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions
Print Sponsor- Buffalo Graffix
Newspaper Sponsor- Sun Coast Media Group
Radio Sponsor- iHeart Media
Lanyard Sponsor- Chapman Insurance Group
Event Bag Sponsor- Whitco Insurance- Alexia Martin Agency
There are four sponsorship levels which include the exhibitor booth space(s), lots of promotional perks, print and digital advertising, party tickets, and more than ever before. Click the EXPO EXPO EXPO button below for the ~HOT~ details!
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Expo Exhibitors:
(So far!)
AADisaster Restoration; Achieva Credit Union; Acu Heal Medical Acupuncture; American Imagining of SW Florida; Bayfront Health Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda; BrightStar Care of Venice and Port Charlotte; Buffalo Graffix; Burnt Store Title and Escrow; Centennial Bank; Certain Service; Chapman Insurance Group; Charlotte County Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller; Charlotte County Community Services; Charlotte County Economic Development Office; Charlotte County Property Appraiser Paul Polk; Charlotte County Water Rainsoft; Charlotte-Desoto Building Industry Association; Charlotte Health Solutions; Chelsea Place Senior Care; Charlotte State Bank and Trust; Charlotte Technical College; Coastal Dermatology; Coldwell Banker Sunstar Realty; Edward Jones-Jim Sproul; Elite Inspections and Pest Solutions; Fabulous Finds Re-Sale Shop; Farr Law Firm; Fawcett Memorial Hospital; Florida Weekly; Foot and Ankle Centers of Charlotte County; FSBDC at FGCU; Gator Wilderness Camp School; Icard Merrill Attorneys and Counselors; iHeart Media; Integrity Insurance Agency; Labor Solutions; LaQuinta Inn and Suites/Microtel Inn and Suites Port Charlotte; Liberate Physician Centers- Southwest Florida; Life Care Center of Punta Gorda; LMET@Sea, LLC; Maple Leaf Golf & Country Club; Murdock Stones Etc.; The SCORE Association; Port Charlotte Rehab and Nursing; Pregnancy Solutions; Radiology Regional Center; Rescue Air Cooling and Heating; S&N Motorsports; ServPro of Port Charlotte/Venice; Shutters 9-1-1, LLC; Sun Coast Media Group; Tampa Bay Rays; TaxSavers; The Mortgage Firm; The Mosaic Company; Tidewell Hospice; Total Air Solutions; Tony/Rhonda Gustitus Team-Keller Williams Peace River Partners; Valerie's House; Village Place Senior Living; Vintage Motor Car Club of America SWFL Region; and Whitco Insurance- Alexia Martin Agency.
Make sure YOUR local business is part of this ~HOT~ August event. Click the EXPO EXPO EXPO button below for details!
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Chamber Member News
Reading a Nautical Chart is offered by the America’s Boating Club® Peace River Sail and Power Squadron Saturday, 6 February staring at 8:30AM, finished by 12PM in Bayfront Center, 750 W. Retta Esplanade, Punta Gorda. We cover information you can find and get off a chart, give you a Charlotte Harbor chartlet, loan you plotting tools, show how to plot a course from Punta Gorda to Cayo Costa near Boca Grande Inlet. Price is $40, additional family member sharing materials $25. To register or for more information: 941-637-0766 or Education@PeaceRiverSailandPowerSquadron.org
All of us at Blu gROTTO Italian Ristorante welcome you to come and join us for dinner Tuesday thru Saturday from 4:00pm -9:00pm. We offer some of the best Italian food in the area and promise you a wonderful dining experience. The food really is amazing and the waitstaff is very polite and attentive. We do recommend reservations and offer great ambience for a nice date night, anniversary or for that special occasion. Home - Blu gROTTO Italian Ristorante (blugrottoportcharlotte.com)
Are you doing everything you can to market yourself? Buffalo Graffix is here for all your printing and design needs! Need some help with your marketing plan for the year? There’s no better time than right now to figure out the best way to promote your business. We’ve got tons of specials going on right now to save you money and get things done! Contact us today at 941-625-2833 or info@buffalograffix.com to see what we can do for you!
Charlotte State Bank & Trust is now serving Florida businesses that are existing and new bank customers seeking Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA). The bank is accepting first draw, second draw and expedited second draw applications through its online application portal. Please visit https://www.charlottestatebank.com for details. As a family-owned business, Charlotte State Bank & Trust is committed to supporting small businesses in the communities it serves.
Complete Auto Repair announces its newest service – Carz Gone Wild! If your car suffers from a mild and boring exhaust, give it a custom exhaust makeover to make it wild! Whether you want a silent, stealth vehicle or a loud one to annoy your annoying neighbor, we can make it happen. How? A new pipe bender and a local pipe-bending expert are now in our arsenal. Call Ron Morgan at 941-623-2926 for an appointment.
Curb Your Appetite is a new food truck in the area specializing in gourmet sandwiches, new menu every week! Follow us on Facebook for weekly menu and schedule: www.facebook.com/curbyourappetitefl
Englewood Beach Waterfest- Who's Ready To Play Poker? Join the Poker Run on Saturday, March 27 by boat, car or motorcycle - headquarters will be Four Points by Sheraton, Punta Gorda Harborside! Visit five stops with a chance to win $500, or many other prizes in our raffle drawings! Donate to one of our local select charities, or bring (4) non-perishable items on the day of the event! Several sponsorship opportunities are available!
Register early for discounts! To sign up and get more information please visit our website at
Retail space for lease: We are seeking a savvy business entrepreneur to join our family of successful, independently owned shops and boutiques at Fishermen's Village! Space size: 1,584 sq. ft. in prime location. Please forward interested inquiries to GM, Patti Allen via email: mall@fishville.com
How different would your move be, if you just oversaw the packing, moving, unpacking, and putting away? Rather than the physically draining and dangerous work that comes with moving heavy things, you simply organize the move and point out to the crew where you want things placed in your new home. This could be your experience, with Gardiner & Sons Moving & Storage. Their full-service packing and unpacking is ideal for anyone with mobility challenges. Call Kenny Gardiner at 941-423-5311 for your local move.
At Guerzo Business Consulting, we read that consumers with over $4,000 in their checking account barely spent a dime of their first round of stimulus checks. If this is you, Patti Guerzo encourages you to become your own stimulus engine and spend some of that free money at a local business. Even better, search out the Chamber directory for options! Our local economy depends on us – locals.
Do you want happier and healthier employees? Learn how Gulfcoast South AHEC can offer free tobacco cessation counseling and free Nicotine Replacement in the form of patches, gum and/or lozenges at no cost for qualifying participants. As part of Tobacco Free Florida’s in-person/virtual Group Quit sessions, we are here to help. Call 866-534-7909 or visit gsahec.org to register today.
Have you taken the steps to protect you and your family if something unexpected happens to you or your spouse? To get answers to all your estate planning questions and learn how to protect your family, contact Mark Martella, Esq. of Icard Merrill at 941-206-3700 or mmartella@icardmerrill.com to schedule a complimentary one hour, no obligation consultation, and learn how to be prepared for the unexpected.
Did you know that 35% of households used the first stimulus check to pay down debt? Another 36% added to their savings. This shows that financial discipline is thriving. Whether it’s out of boredom or greater appreciation for life, we now think more about how we spend money. If you want to feel more happiness about how you spend your money, call Sue Craig, owner of Independent Financial Coaching, at 941-916-5324. She can help align your personal finances to reflect your values.
Murdock Stones Etc. just received their annual lawn ornament shipment. There's quite a wide variety to choose from including dogs, cats, turtles, gators and religious. 590 Prineville St. in Port Charlotte (by the Sun Flea Market). 7621 Sawyer Circle (off Gasparilla Rd. …look for the World’s Largest Mailbox). www.murdockstonesetc.com. 941-629-6651.
Be effective and economical when completing background checks! First, work with a reputable agency that conducts the work themselves, at the source, without automation. Second, adhere to the Fair Credit Reporting Act, required adverse action procedures, and applicable state laws. Third, select the specific background checks and verifications that are most pertinent and relevant to assessing the qualifications of candidates for each of your available jobs. For economical and FCRA-compliant employment and tenancy screening services, contact Doris Hebert-Ferrigno at NRG Background Checks. Call: 941-488-8500; Toll-Free: 800-531-6522; Fax: 941-488-8505; Email: nrginfo@atlantic.net
An introductory course in Florida Fishing is being offered at the PGI Civic Association on Shreve Street in Punta Gorda. Topics to be covered include fishing techniques, tackle, rigging, knots, lures, baits, fish identification, tides, and fishing regulations. The course is open to the public and is held on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for six weeks beginning on Wednesday February 24, 2021. The cost for the class is $45 and advance registration is recommended by calling 941-637-1655.
Punta Gorda Rotary Club has been serving our community since 1925, offering business networking, fellowship, and service to our citizens. If you would like to be part of doing good for Punta Gorda and the world, please join us for one of our Thursday noon meetings at the Isles Yacht Club. For more information contact Darcy Hanley at 303-927-9437 or email darcyrhanley@gmail.com.
Attention Business Owners: Small business assistance and advice is now available from SCORE Port Charlotte on a drop-in basis. Stop by the SCORE Office in the Harris Bank Building on US41 just South of Murdock Circle, suite 411 on Friday from 9 to noon. This Friday, Certified Mentors Dave Horn and Nils Weibulll will be available for a casual chat about your business and the challenges you are facing. SCORE is powered by the SBA and offers confidential business mentoring at no cost. Visit portcharlotte.score.org for more information.
Toby Lynn helps families buy, build, or refinance their home. Let’s get the ball rolling for a family member, co-worker, or your best buddy! Toby Lynn can help get them financing for Primary Residences, Secondary Homes, Investment Properties, or Construction Loans. Specializing in Happy, Smooth, and On-Time Closings! Call today! Toby Lynn, Branch Manager, The Mortgage Firm, 941-356-6579 – www.ThePerfectMortgageSolution.com
The Blue Butterfly Family Grief Center is a children’s bereavement program through Tidewell Hospice that provides free bereavement support groups after the death of a significant person in the child’s life. Blue Butterfly serves both children and their caregiver in a support group setting based on age. Currently all support groups are being held virtually, and are open to all families regardless of their affiliation with Tidewell. Please email Bluebutterfly@tidewell.org with questions, or register here, www.bluebutterflycenter.org .
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Career Source of Southwest Florida online resources include available jobs
Your "Help Wanted" information could be here! Please submit 90 words or less to tashley@charlottecountychamber.org.
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Resources
LOCAL-
Please call 2-1-1 for any resource needs.
STATE AND FEDERAL-
Florida Chamber of Commerce- www.floridachamber.com/coronavirus
Small Business Administration- www.sba.gov/disaster
Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association- https://frla.org/covid-19/
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Just for Fun
I hate it when I'm singing along with the radio and the artist gets the words wrong.
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Do you have news or information about YOUR chamber business? Send it to the Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce and we'll share it with the entire membership. Email your submission to Teri Ashley at tashley@charlottecountychamber.org. Please send 90 words or fewer, in paragraph form, by noon on Friday. Business Online is emailed weekly on Mondays, or Tuesday following a holiday. This is a free membership only benefit! ( We do reserve the right to publish and edit any submissions.)
Teri Ashley, Executive Director
Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce
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2702 Tamiami Trail
Port Charlotte, FL 33952
941-627-2222
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Social Distancing and Health Safety Protocol Statement: The Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce requests that you kindly not attend events with a fever, any COVID-19 Symptoms, if anyone in your household has shown symptoms of COVID-19, or if you are included in a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defined high-risk category for COVID-19. Additionally, while we know that most are accustomed to handshakes, fist-bumps, and hugs, we ask that you refrain during this time and follow all recommended health safety protocols. Social distancing is required by anyone attending chamber events and it is recommended that face masks be worn to lessen the possible transmission of COVID-19 to others. By attending Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce events, all attendees acknowledge and assume the risk that COVID-19 is contagious and exposure may occur. :
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