Open for our July 6 Weekly Digest with new events, community updates and more

July 6, 2020 Weekly Digest

Chairman's Circle Members

Happenings in and around the Chamber!

HOT DEALS

JOB BOARD

Happy Monday!

We hope that you had an enjoyable Fourth of July weekend! Our local businesses are evolving and growing after Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan kicked in on June 26.

The Batavia Boardwalk Shops on the corner of Wilson Street and Route 25 continue to make a splash after opening in mid-June. We are excited to celebrate this new economic vitalization effort with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday, July 15 at 4 p.m. Please join us and check out the shops as they will be open!

Across Wilson Street from the shops is a new beer garden, which opened late last week. This al fresco dining area is a collaboration between Batavia Chamber members Wilson Street Tavern, Oak + Swine and Bocaditos Café. We will hold our first in-person networking event there following the Boardwalk Shops Ribbon Cutting Ceremony.

Paycheck Protection Program Update

Following in the footsteps of the US Senate, the US House passed an extension of the $660 billion Paycheck Protection Program last week. Their action means that we are one step closer to reopening the cornerstone small business coronavirus relief effort. More than $130 billion in allocated funds remained unused at the time of the program's closure last Tuesday night. President Trump’s signature is required for the program to continue. For those businesses who are looking to tap into this program, we can help connect you to resources who are willing to assist.

Many of you have been viewing Mayor Schielke’s weekly videos. You can access the July 3 video by clicking this link . Watch to learn about the history of the fireworks show and Fourth of July celebrations in Batavia!

Please scroll down for new events and other content. If you have news to share, remember to send it to us! We continually update our home page, bataviachamber.org when new resources and information comes out. Also, check our calendar f or new events from us and the community.

We encourage you to reconnect with the Batavia businesses you know and love. Take care and let us know how we can help. We are now, and will be in the future, here for you.

Most sincerely,

Margaret, Patti and Shirley

Your Batavia Chamber of Commerce Staff

Congratulations to Paula Mueller,

Our 2020 June Ambassador of the Month!

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce that the June Ambassador of the Month is Paula Mueller! Paula owns Paula’s Couture Consignment, the store in Batavia to find couture clothes, without breaking the bank. During these turbulent times, Paula’s has a been a prime example of how a business can not only survive but thrive by re-thinking how to do business. She is a past alderman with the City of Batavia, so we appreciate the knowledge she brings about all things Batavia. The Chamber is fortunate to have Paula as a valued member and chamber ambassador.

During this spring’s pandemic shelter at home order, Paula’s store was closed. Instead of lamenting, Paula pivoted with lunchtime fashions postings on their Facebook page and a weekly virtual fashion show. This popular weekly event continues, though her shop at 4 ½ W. Wilson Street is now open for in-person shopping. Paula generously speaks highly of our organization and helps recruit new Chamber members. There is no doubt that she is a fantastic ambassador and we are so happy that she represents us so well.

Paula, as an Ambassador, your dedication, time efforts are appreciated and highly valued by the Board of Directors, Chamber staff and membership! Thank you!

Batavia Reconnected Presents Checks to First Round Recipients of the COVID-19 Grants

Representatives of Batavia Reconnected disbursed checks to eleven businesses last week. These grants, up to $1,500, cover additional expenses incurred to operate following safety guidelines mandated during the COVID-19 pandemic. The first-round recipients are Bernie's Bully Dogs, Hearth & Hammer General, B. Stylish Nail Spa, Bocaditos Cafe, Limestone Coffee & Tea, Wilson Street Tavern, Oak + Swine, Red Hive Market, Black Cactus Print House, Rivers Edge Bar and Grill, and Full Moon Bar & Grill . A second round of funding closed July first.

The City of Batavia, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, and Batavia MainStreet combined forces to create the initiative Batavia Reconnected. It was created to keep residents informed and increase public confidence that Batavia businesses are taking measures to keep their facilities safe.

Pictured above, from left to right, are Anthony Isom Jr., assistant to the administer, City of Batavia; Batavia Mayor Jeffery Schielke; Sherri Wilcox Dauskurdus, executive director of Batavia MainStreet; Joy Mason and Leah Leman, owners of Limestone Coffee & Tea; Margaret Perreault, president & CEO of Batavia Chamber of Commerce; and David Mensch, owner of Full Moon Bar & Grill. We are pleased to have assisted Batavia businesses hard hit by the pandemic closures with this program. We encourage you to continue to support all of our community's businesses! #ShopLocal

July's Breakfast Club will still be held virtually.

New event - High Level Reopening Recommendations

including information about OSHA/CDC considerations,

contact tracing solutions, PPE use and sourcing

Just added!

Virtual Human Resources:

Re-engagement of Your Workforce, What's Next?

Signup here .

All Are Welcome - Please Come!

Ribbon Cutting Ceremony: Batavia Boardwalk Shops; Wednesday, July 15 at 4 p.m.

We are excited to celebrate the opening of Batavia's newest shopping "district!" Come by to shop and help cut the ribbon, then cross Wilson Street to join us for our first in-person Net-Working It! since February. Per IDPH guidelines, face masks are required.

The Golf Outing is gaining steam...

Email patti@bataviachamber.org for more information.

Don't miss out on Early Birdie rates!

Purchase Chamber Bucks now and support our local businesses!

Please contact us now to be added to the participating businesses spreadsheet.

Call 630-879-7134 or email margaret@bataviachamber.org to learn more and sign up!

News and Updates from Our Members

Batavia Chamber Helps Open UFC Gym in North Aurora with a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Pictured, left to right are:

Anita Loverde, UFC Gym; Vickie Hamilton-Zwiezen, UFC Gym; Rob Delgado, UFC Gym; Margaret Perreault, president and CEO of Batavia Chamber of Commerce; North Aurora Mayor Dale Berman, Scott Schroeder, UFC Gym; Angela Solomon, UFC Gym; Batavia Mayor Jeffrey Schielke; Mike Burke and Jennifer Zack, Batavia Chamber of Commerce ambassadors; Doug Rynes, general manager UFC Gym; and Mikaila Soto, assistant general manager UFC Gym.

The Batavia Chamber of Commerce celebrated the soft opening of UFC Gym North Aurora, 1680 Orchard Gateway Blvd., North Aurora, with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 27. Having waited for months to be allowed to open because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this was a special celebration for UFC Gym. The owner, Scott Schroeder, dedicated it to his mother’s memory, a fellow business owner who died from cancer last year. Thus, the company that manages the 40,000 square foot fitness center is known as Barbara Jean Fitness. Read the entire press release.