(Publisher’s note: My apologies for leaving Chelsea Hearth & Fireplaces out of the headline.)
About 30 Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce members signed up to learn about four businesses located at the Oak Tree Plaza on East Old US-12 during a business after hours event on Thursday, March 21.
Chamber members were given an opportunity to meet the owners of Bearclaw Coffee, True North Jerky Company, Chelsea Hearth & Fireplaces, Edward Jones Investments and Shabby Chic.
Everyone registered at Bearclaw Coffee and met new owner Jennifer Merx. She and husband, Tony, bought the store in September. “We offer most of our drinks frozen, hot or over ice – even the Chai tea,” Jennifer Merx said.
Many people don’t realize that there’s a drive through at the coffee house as well as a meeting room, which seats about 16 comfortably, and can be reserved for free. There’s also free Wifi available as well.
Bear Claw is open from 5;30 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 7 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sundays.
Next up was a visit with Joe Wesolowski, one of the owners of True North Jerky Company.
He treated visitors to a large table full of sample that included his popular jerky products as well as his line of smoked chicken and pork items. In addition, Wesolowski has added a number of new smoked products including whitefish, salmon, and trout plus frozen cod, walleye and haddock. There’s also a complete line of sauces.
The Jerky Company is open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Sunday from noon-5 p.m.
Chris Livengood of Chelsea Hearth & Fireplaces is probably one of the few people whose business is most popular when the weather’s colder.
“I’m all about quality,” she said. “I carry the top names in the country. I’m about saving people money and heating people’s homes.”
She said she doesn’t handle the inexpensive gas and wood burning fireplaces.
Ed McClellan and Steve Wolters, both financial advisers, of Edward Jones Investments said “We specialize in serving the individual long-term, serious investors.”
The enjoy supporting local businesses and in fact, will provide business retirement plans.
Kristen Vermilye of Shabby Chic Consignments said her 1 ½ year old consignment business has been “very well received by the surrounding communities.”
In fact, she has about 400 consigners and there’s new inventory arriving in the store daily. Both her home décor section and women’s fashion areas have expanded greatly since her opening.
“The business has exceeded my expectations,” she said, adding the business is open Tuesday-Saturday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. In addition, on Thursday nights, the store is open until 7 p.m.
