Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce

Introducing Inside New Castle

May 24, 2015 by The Inside Press

Dear New Castle Neighbor,

After 12 years of faithfully publishing Inside Chappaqua and benefiting enormously from being an 18-year citizen of New Castle myself, I am engaging in a unique collaboration with the Town of New Castle. Together with the fantastic cooperation of multiple departments in Town Hall , the Chappaqua Central School District, the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce and an array of other organizations from in and around town, I am thrilled to be managing a team of contributors who have been hard at work this spring producing pages for a quintessential welcome guide for families just moving into the neighborhood but useful for any one residing here already too!

It is such an exciting time when you first arrive–exploring offerings in and around town, understanding the lay of the land and forming new, life-long friendships for you and your children! There can be challenges too, so this guide is being produced as a handy free resource for present and prospective residents–and will shortly be offered to New Castle and Chamber merchants next for sponsorships too!

Inside my New Castle will be chock full of relevant information to take advantage of as a year-round reference rounding up and highlighting programming here and near, in our town and in our schools, and so capturing “The Spirit of New Castle.” The guide will be available online too post print publication via Town Halls’s site, www.mynewcastle.org and my own, www.theinsidepress.com.

A Key Feature: “What New Castle Residents are Saying!”

I need your help for the guide too! I would really love to hear and include what you are thinking about your years living in New Castle.

Inside the guide, I hope to include different quotes from many of you too so that TOGETHER we can help explain to any prospective resident why choosing New Castle to raise your family is the best decision you will ever make! Please send your comments ASAP in confidence by June 15th to insidemynewcastle@gmail.com.

–Grace

*The guide’s launch has already been made possible due to generous merchant cover support, and via the generous sponsorships of area realtors who will be distributing thousands throughout the year to prospective residents too.

*Ad space limited to quarter page spots of $550 each. Ad size: 2.5″ W x 4.22″ H.
We will include every advertiser’s name, address, website and phone number in a separate directory. New Castle Merchants will be given a first opportunity to reserve. Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce members will receive a 10% discount on their ad!

12,000 Printed Guides Planned!
For more information about advertising* in the upcoming guide, write to
insidemynewcastle@gmail.com

Inside my New Castle: Welcome to the Neighborhood!

May 6, 2015 by The Inside Press

Dear New Castle Neighbor,

After 12 years of faithfully publishing Inside Chappaqua and benefitting enormously from being an 18-year citizen of New Castle myself, I am engaging in a unique collaboration with the Town of New Castle. Together with the fantastic cooperation of multiple departments in Town Hall , the Chappaqua Central School District, the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce and an array of other organizations from in and around town, I am thrilled to be managing a team of contributors who have been hard at work this spring producing pages for a quintessential welcome guide for families just moving into the neighborhood but useful for any one residing here already too!

I have always been dazzled by the vast array of programming available in the larger New Castle community, and heartened by the vote of confidence from so many corners as we create this exciting new resource.

Inside my New Castle will be chock full of relevant information to take advantage of as a year-round reference rounding up and highlighting programming here and near, in our town and in our schools, and so capturing “The Spirit of New Castle.” The guide will be available online too post print publication via Town Halls’s site, www.mynewcastle.org and my own, www.theinsidepress.com.

A Key Feature: “What New Castle Residents are Saying!”

I need your help for the guide too! I would really love to hear and include what you are thinking about your years living in New Castle.

— Grace

The New Chappaqua-Millwood  Chamber of Commerce

March 4, 2015 by The Inside Press

Supporting Our Town, Our Business Owners, Our Community

By Deborah Raider Notis

It’s the start of an exciting era in the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber is adding several new members to create a larger, more diverse Board. And as of January 1st this year, Dawn Dankner-Rosen became the new Chamber head. With Dankner-Rosen at the helm and fresh blood on the Chamber Board, the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce is determined to revitalize existing business in both downtown Chappaqua and Millwood and to encourage new businesses to invest in Chappaqua and Millwood.

“We are here to encourage people to shop local,” says Dankner-Rosen, who has worked in public relations for more than 25 years. She started at the Kinney Shoe Corporation before opening her own firm, DDR, in 1989. Dankner-Rosen represents an impressive array of non-profit and corporate clients and knows a lot about elevating a business’s public profile. “Dawn is a great public relations person,” notes Town Supervisor Rob Greenstein, who is delighted to collaborate with Dankner-Rosen. “She will help the Chamber and various merchants with marketing and media exposure.” Dankner-Rosen plans to develop media opportunities to highlight the town and to encourage potential business owners and restaurateurs to open up shops in Chappaqua and Millwood. With the spotlight on our area, business owners will become better acquainted with our charming surroundings.

A long-time Chappaqua resident with three boys who graduated from Greeley and a daughter in sixth grade at Seven Bridges Middle School, Dankner-Rosen is extremely invested in this community’s success. Over the years, she was actively involved on the school level, helping out as a class parent. As her children got older, Dankner-Rosen looked for other ways to contribute to our community. She realized that she was most focused on helping the town prosper. For the past two years, Dankner-Rosen’s firm, DDR, was in charge of public relations for the Chappaqua Children’s Book Fair. After several conversations with former Chamber Executive Director Solveig McShea over the past year, Dankner-Rosen realized that heading the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce was the obvious next step for her as she continues to make vital contributions to our town.

Dankner-Rosen knows that this is a tricky time for the Chamber, which has significant work to do to improve and enhance economic and business development of Chappaqua and Millwood businesses. Right now, gaining momentum will be key for the Chamber’s board. Recently, long-time retailers Auntie Penny and Marmalade announced that they would close their doors in January. This leaves two empty stores on the same block in downtown Chappaqua. Town Supervisor Greenstein understands that we need some innovative ideas to foster business in Chappaqua and Millwood. “We all need to look at other towns to see what works, and what doesn’t work. We all need to explore, research, and discuss various options.” Dankner-Rosen, who has worked on countless repositioning campaigns, targeted media relations campaigns, and special events campaigns, is optimistic about leveraging her experience to successfully overcome the various challenges that the Chamber faces.

“We have an extremely spirited, thoughtful and intelligent community…who care deeply about where and how they live. This level of commitment and motivation is golden –and will be the foundation of a very prosperous and thriving downtown community,” notes Dankner-Rosen. Building on that level of commitment, she wants to develop networking programs so that the community as a whole can generate ideas to expand business and to increase awareness about our thriving community. She also thinks that the Chamber needs to hold educational and informational sessions for business owners to help them boost their presence within the community.

But first, she wants to work with the Chamber to define its mission and develop some initial strategies to create excitement about the Chappaqua-Millwood business districts. Dankner-Rosen hopes to foster successful businesses in our area through initiatives that will inform, support, and facilitate connections within our community. She hopes that community members will gain an insight and appreciation of everything Chappaqua and Millwood have to offer. “So many people don’t know really know how much is here for them,” observes Dankner-Rosen.

Another new Board member, Millwood business owner Dominique Simons, agrees that there are many hidden gems in the Chappaqua-Millwood area. “We have a whole plaza of vibrant businesses in Millwood. We need to infuse energy into our business owners and community members.” Simons, who owns Head Over Wheels, a luxury salon near Spaccarelli’s Italian Restaurant, believes that Millwood needs to brand itself separately and together with Chappaqua.

Simons comes to the Chamber with new, fresh ideas about how to create a stronger Millwood business center. Right now, she thinks that there is little community feel in Millwood. She wants to spearhead events that will draw people to Millwood and help community members realize that Millwood is an essential, lively part of New Castle. “I want to generate buzz around ‘The Millwood Mile,’ the retail area in Millwood.” Simons strongly supports constructing a sidewalk around Route 100, Route 120, and Station Road to give the area more of an interactive, small town feel. “Ultimately, I want people to have two reasons to shop, build their businesses, and live in this area–Chappaqua and Millwood.”

Dankner-Rosen hopes to build a customer loyalty program to encourage people to shop local, in both Chappaqua and Millwood. “I want people to get excited and to be committed to shopping local. Not simply for their retail needs. We have accountants, attorneys, financial planners, and other exceptional service providers locally. There is no reason to go anyplace else.” She thinks that developing an incentive-based program will draw people into our town.

And she is relying on our business owners to develop stronger ties with our community members, helping both community members and business owners to feel a greater level of investment in our town.

All of these groundbreaking ideas were on the table when the new Chamber Board held their first meeting on January 22nd. “I am optimistic and excited about helping to create a Chamber of Commerce here that will be significant and can make a real and important difference for businesses individually and for the community at large,” states Dankner-Rosen. Simons concurs, noting that she is particularly excited to work with all of the Chamber’s board members. “The Board is really diverse, and everyone has so many different ideas. This means more dedicated people getting out there and spreading the word about Chappaqua and Millwood.” Sounds like a true merging of minds and talents, which will hopefully result in two bustling town centers.

Deborah Raider Notis is a freelance writer and co-owner of gamechanger, LLC. She lives in Pleasantville with her husband and their four boys, but she shops in Chappaqua and Millwood.

Mark your calendars for  our first-ever

“A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN  OUR NEIGHBORHOOD”  on Saturday, April 11,  11 a.m.-4 p.m.  Families will meet town officials, first responders, shop keepers and other neighbors on this self-guided tour of downtown Chappaqua. Fun stops, special treats and an art project are on the schedule. Who are the people in your neighborhood? Come and find out. More details and pre-registration info to  be announced soon.

Shop Local, Chamber of Commerce Unites Residents and Merchants

August 16, 2013 by The Inside Press

Hillary Clinton enjoying Chappaqua’s Summer Sidewalk Sales. Carlyn Simpson Photo* — Hillary Clinton enjoying Chappaqua’s Summer Sidewalk Sales.
Carlyn Simpson Photo*

By Paige Schoenberg

What do a restaurant, a preschool, a clothing retailer, and a dentist have in common? All are members of the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce, a local association that aims to bring together New Castle businesses and the community.

The Chamber was founded just over one year ago in 2012 by Rob Greenstein and Christine Yeres, who hoped to help local merchants expand their businesses while at the same time creating a sense of community that many felt had begun to fade over the years. When the Chamber was first formed, only a few of the town’s many businesses were members. Thanks to the tremendous efforts of the Chamber Board, that number has grown to include over 170 diverse local enterprises

A Community-Minded Mission

The Chamber supports these and other establishments with the “Shop Local” initiative, which encourages residents to shop at smaller stores in Chappaqua and Millwood instead of at big-box chains. This helps merchants by increasing revenue and benefits customers by providing a unique, personalized shopping experience that cannot be found at larger retailers. As part of their plan to boost the local economy, the Chamber promotes the 3/50 Project, which reinforces the economic benefits of shopping locally. For every dollar spent at a local store, more money is returned to the community than would be if that money was spent elsewhere.

Of every $100 spent locally, $68 comes back to the town through taxes, payroll, and other expenditures, as compared to only $43 for every $100 spent in a national chain.

The Chamber also participates in the American Express Small Business Saturday, a nationwide program advocating the importance of supporting small businesses.

The program, which provides free marketing materials for merchants, is run by the American Express Company and backed by corporations such as Facebook, Twitter, and FedEx.

Helping Business and the Community Thrive Together

One of four movie nights at Millwood Park this summer. © Hidenao Abe, StudioAbe — One of four movie nights at Millwood Park this summer.
© Hidenao Abe, StudioAbe

These campaigns are important to revitalize the local economy, but the Chamber recognizes that creating a sense of community is of equal value. To achieve their goal of making local businesses a part of the greater community, the Chamber has held several events, designed to increase spirit and bring residents into stores and restaurants. Recent events include the first annual Tails to Trails pet fair in Millwood, sponsored by Drug Mart and the Millwood Animal Hospital, and the May Madness Sweepstakes, which gave customers a chance to win one of four iPad minis by registering at participating merchants. Free family-friendly movies were shown in Millwood Park on Friday nights in June and July.

During July, the Chamber worked with the New Castle Recreation and Parks Department to host the Summer Concert Series, which featured the Chappaqua Orchestra and Bruce Springsteen and Neil Diamond cover bands, and local food vendors were on hand to provide refreshments.

The Chamber hopes that these kinds of larger events, in addition to the popular Sidewalk Sales in late July, will draw crowds from the surrounding area as well.

Ready for a Busy Fall

New Castle residents have several upcoming events to look forward to. In October, the Chamber will organize its second annual Fall Festival in downtown Chappaqua. Planned activities include pie-baking and doughnut-eating contests, hayrides, and food tastings by local restaurants. Stores will sponsor activities, and merchandise will be available for purchase. The Chamber will be running a Community Day table to highlight future happenings.

Two returning events, the Taste of Chappaqua and the Holiday Stroll, will take place in November or early December. Last year’s Holiday Stroll featured carolers, ice sculptures, and refreshments as part of a joint event with the New Castle Historical Society’s annual tree lighting, at which the Horace Greeley High School Madrigal Choir and the Chappaqua Orchestra performed.

Residents can also expect new lighted snowflakes in time for the holidays, which will add a bit of winter sparkle to the Rt. 120 bridge and throughout the downtown area.

The decorations are part of a combined effort with the New Castle Beautification Advisory Board to boost foot traffic by improving the appearance of Chappaqua’s downtown area.

Chappaqua Fall Festival Apple Pie Contest

The Chamber actively participates in town matters and encourages residents to get involved. Currently, the Chamber posts a weekly ChamberChat on the New Castle NOW website to publicize town meetings and community activities, as well as special promotions from merchants. The Chamber also sends updates through email blasts and the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce Facebook page. An independent Chamber website and mobile app is in the works.

Paige Schoenberg is a senior at Horace Greeley High School. Growing up, her favorite book was Put Me in the Zoo.

*Editor’s Note: Carolyn Simpson of Doublevision Photographers graduated from Syracuse University with a BFA in Photography. Through her lens she has photographed many things, from the cobblestoned streets of Italy to the smiling faces of families at holiday time. With over 20 years of experience, Carolyn strives to always capture the essence of the moment. She specializes in Events, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, Portraits and Architecture Photography.