Member Spotlight: E&S Grocery

WHEN DID YOU OPEN FOR BUSINESS?

1.    E&S Grocery was established in 1936 and will celebrate 80 years serving Dickenson County this year. The business was founded by Cowan and Bonnie Edwards.  The store was then passed on to Cowan’s son and his wife, Olney and LeVada Edwards, who operated the store until 1977. Following in his father and grandfather’s footsteps, Richard and Rita Edwards have continued to operate the business. Recently, Dana Edwards Powers & husband Hunter began serving at the store, which continues the legacy through a fourth generation.

WHY WAS E&S OPENED?

2.  The store was founded to fill a need in the community and to serve others. We have continued for 80 years with the motto “Neighbors Serving Neighbors”. We continue to be committed to our neighbors and community in service. We are the only local, family owned, full-service grocery store in Dickenson County.

WHAT ITEMS DO YOU OFFER?

3.  E&S Grocery offers a full line of groceries, fresh meats (cut in-house) and produce. In addition to everything you need to feed your family, we also make party trays and fruit baskets to for special events. Each spring, we serve as a one stop shop for your garden needs with plants and flowers. E&S Grocery provides outstanding customer service and bags and delivers groceries to our customers’ cars.

WHY DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP

4.  The Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce is an important asset to our community. The Chamber serves to promote local businesses and promote the importance of Dickenson County. When you support local businesses, you support the whole community.

HOW CAN POTENTIAL CUSTOMERS GET IN TOUCH WITH YOU AND VISIT YOUR SHOP

5.  E&S Grocery is located in Birchleaf near Sandlick Elementary School. Our phone number is 276-865-4592. Weekly specials and news are posted to our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/esgrocery. 

Member Spottlight: Impressions, Inc.


 When did you open for business?

1.     We opened in March of 1997.

Why did you open Impressions?

2.  We opened Impressions for several reasons:  One, we had previously worked for companies that offered screen printing and embroidery and our customers were always telling us that we should start our own business - so one day, we did.  That was almost 19 years ago.  Two - we love this area, and the people here, and have enjoyed working with them for the past 24 years.  Three - We have always loved doing things in our community and, as business owners, this was our opportunity.

What items do you offer?

3.  We offer screen printing, embroidery/monogramming, banners, yard signs, trophies/plaques, also apparel for the local schools, along with clothing for monogramming. example - rain jackets, bags, shirts, jackets.

Why do you enjoy most about your Chamber membership?

4. Networking with different people in our communities.

How can potential customers get in touch with you and visit your shop?

5.  Email danny24273@verizon.net, call 276-679-1560, and we are located at 832 Park Ave. NW, Norton, VA. Fax 276-679-1564

Luncheon Success

The Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors hosted a special luncheon on Tuesday, January 12th at the Chamber/Visitor Center in honor of the newly elected Board of Supervisors and the Constitutional Officers for Dickenson County. Around 32 attended the Chamber luncheon including: The Honorable Judge Henry Vanover, Mike Yates, Commissioner of the Revenue, Angie Rakes, Dickenson County Treasurer, and Board of Supervisors: Jason Compton, Ron Peters, David Yates, David Perry and Administrator, David Moore. Dickenson County Clerk, Richard Edwards was unable to attend as he was in Richmond and also BOS Chair, Shelbie Willis was unable to attend due to another meeting being scheduled that day. The newly elected Dickenson County Commonwealth Attorney, Seth Baker could not make the luncheon. Dickenson County Registrar, Reba Childress and IDA Director, Mitzi Sykes, Clinchco Mayor, Jarvis Deel and the Chamber Board of Directors were in attendance as well as Columbus Phipps Foundation Director, Mr. Paul Buchanan. Also, several spouses and kids of the elected officials were present.

Rita Surratt, President of the Chamber, and the Board of Directors, were very pleased with the turnout and look forward to working with the newly elected officials in the coming years. Special thanks to all the ladies who brought food and especially the homemade desserts. 

Member Spotlight: Gift Baskets Instead

Below, you'll see our interview with Kathy Munsey, owner of Gift Baskets Instead. 

•When did you open for business?


I have been in business here in the Town of Clintwood for 17 years. I opened in 1998.


•Why did you open your business?


I decided I wanted to work for myself and operate my own business.


•What items do you offer?


At Gift Baskets Instead, we offer the most unusual and unique gift items for all occasions and seasons. We have home deco to personal items. We also offer free local delivery. We take special orders and do custom baskets.


I would like to invite you to our Christmas Open House on November 6, 7 and 8th. 


•Why do you enjoy most about your Chamber membership?


I enjoy my chamber membership because I know the Chamber works hard to promote and support our local businesses in the county. I appreciate the marketing effort and the business I see from being a member of the Dickenson County Chamber of Commerce.

•How can potential customers get in touch with you and visit your shop?


We are located on Main Street in Clintwood and also have a Facebook page as well as an email address: giftbasketsinstead@yahoo.com.  Our phone number is 276-926-8920. We are also listed on the Dickenson County Chamber membership page at www.dickensonchamber.net

Member Spotlight: Forward View Consulting

We're launching our online Member Spotlight with a focus on Forward View Consulting, the Dickenson County design firm that created our new website. We interviewed the company's founder, Nathan Yates, to learn about Forward View. Here's what we learned:

When did you open for business?

In October of 2014.

Why did you create Forward View Consulting?

I founded Forward View with the goal of rebuilding America one small business at a time. Then, I found a few fantastic people who shared this dream. We're all dedicated to being a different kind of consulting firm. There is no fancy Forward View office nor do we bill clients for extra services they don't need. Instead, Forward View works to make elite-level consulting available to entrepreneurs across the country. If we can upend traditional Wall Street ideas and the world of $500/hour consultants in the process of serving our clientele, we'll be quite pleased!

Forward View operates according to this verse from the Bible:

"Any enterprise is built by wise planning, becomes strong through common sense, and profits wonderfully by keeping abreast of the facts." — Proverbs 24:3 LB

What services do you offer?

We have two equally important areas of practice:

  1. Website development — We create websites for small businesses and nonprofits (and any needed logos, restaurant menus, digital ads etc.). Every Forward View website is designed with modern software to be mobile-friendly. We guarantee the site will be working over 99% of the time, too. All of your website work will be done by our team, so you'll never need to call somebody who you don't know personally.
  2. Financial analysis — Forward View provides investment research to Wall Street and to financial advisors around the globe. My Master's degree is in Finance, so Forward View obviously had to offer services based on my educational focus. We also provide financial analyses to small businesses preparing to open, seek funding or plan for a large project.

Why do you enjoy most about your Chamber membership?

As a lifelong resident of the county, I thoroughly enjoy working with local entrepreneurs to strengthen our economy. With the Chamber, the benefits of our collaboration are exponentially increased. The Chamber offers amazing networking opportunities for all members, too, and I think joining this organization is one of my best business decisions. 

How can potential clients get in touch with you?

I'm available at nathan@forwardviewconsulting.com, and I'll happily schedule phone or Skype conversations with anybody interested in Forward View. I also encourage everybody to visit www.forwardviewconsulting.com to sign up for our free monthly newsletter. It's loaded with small business tips and ideas! Forward View also offers a 10% discount on everything to fellow Chamber of Commerce members.

Election Forum

The Dickenson County Chamber will behosting an Election Forum on Monday, September 28th at the Dickenson Center for Education and Research at Happy Valley Drive in Clintwood, Virginia. The forum will begin at 6pm and we encourage you to come and meet the candidates and hear the answers to questions submitted for the candidates.  The public is invited to submit questions to the chamber by September 23rd for the candidates and they will be reviewed by the Public Affairs Committee and a member of the Democrat and a member of the Republican party for approval.  There will be 3 questions asked at the forum. One question has been sent to the candidates for preview and the other two will be drawn by the Moderator from the box of approved questions.

If you have a question you would like to submit, please email to the chamber at chamber@dcwin.org or mail to Dickenson County Chamber, P.O. Box 1990, Clintwood, Virginia. Your name will not be added to the question you submit.

Thanks so much and we look forward to a great evening meeting the candidates and hearing what their plans are for the position they are seeking. Hope to see you there. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the chamber at 276-926-6074.

2015 Chamber Awards

Congratulations to our award winners!

New Business of the Year Award—Ridgeview DeliMart and Wolfpack Den
Owners: Larry & Judy Compton and Rodney & Carolyn Compton

Small/Medium Business of the Year Award—Michael Porter, CPA, Clintwood and Haysi

Large Business of the Year Award—Dominion Health & Fitness, Clintwood
Owner: Bernard Dhas

Established Business of the Year Award—Mullins Construction
Owner: Kermit Mullins