Open for business: – Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce sets up shop to showcase local businesses

The Bitterroot Valley Chamber of Commerce exists to promote the valley’s businesses. And one of the ways it has done this is by starting a business of its own.

By ROD DANIEL Staff Reporter

http://www.ravallinews.com/articles/2004/07/08/bitterroot/06-business.txt

Showcase of the Bitterroot opened June 1 in the building just north of the Chamber office at First and Main streets in Hamilton and features a sample of decidedly local artwork and gifts from businesses and individuals all over the valley. From Paul Stanton’s 50 cent Duckboy postcards to an abstract painting by Dewey Monson with an $11,000 price tag, the new store offers visitors a smattering of what’s available in the Bitterroot.

The idea for the store came from current Chamber president Cindy Mikesell when she visited Cody, Wyo., last year and encountered an artists’ outlet run by the local artists’ guild. Mikesell said she thought a similar store in the Bitterroot might help call attention to the valley’s many unique businesses as well as help utilize the empty building owned by the Chamber.

"(The Chamber) bought this building, and it sat empty for awhile," Mikesell said. "I thought having a store here to promote valley artists and businesses might keep people from leaving the valley without buying something."

After talking over the idea with fellow Main Street business owner and Chamber member Bunny Robbins, Mikesell convinced the rest of the Chamber to open the store, which currently features Montana-made goods from 36 different artists, individuals and businesses.

Chamber director Diane Wolfe laughed when she heard Mikesell mention Robbins’ name.

"Someone told us they thought it was the Chambers’ job to build up businesses rather than going into competition with them," Wolfe said. "They said ‘wait until Bunny Robbins finds out about this.’ I didn’t tell them this was Bunny’s brainchild."

In addition to postcards and paintings, Showcase of the Bitterroot carries jams, jellies and syrups from Montana Wild Huckleberry, emu products from Wild Rose Emu Ranch, hand-made felt hats by Darby’s Jim Harrison, pussy willow wreaths from Rocky Mountain Wreaths, log furniture by Victor’s Glenn Weber and earthen pottery by John Ward – just to name a few of the businesses and artists.

Those who showcase their wares at the store aren’t charged anything until their items sell, at which time the Chamber takes a 25 percent cut. And to make sure the store offers a wide variety of truly local treasures, an adjudication committee decides what gets displayed.

"Our goal is to get a good representation from the whole valley," Mikesell said. "And it’s open to everyone, not just to Chamber members."

Wolfe said sales so far at the new store have been slow, but she expects that to change as tourist season kicks into high gear. She said the Chamber, on the average, will see 70 people a day this summer, and she hopes most of them will stop in at the store. She also hopes Bitterrooters will bring visitors to the store.

"Locals can bring their guests to one spot," Wolfe said, "and then see where they want to go."

Furnishing the two rooms that most recently housed a real estate office was not difficult, since most of the items for sale are decorative in nature. Scores of photographs and paintings adorn the walls and are lighted with lavish locally made lamps.

Hamilton High School’s shop classes built shelves and platforms to display many of the items.

Mikesell, who for 21 years has run Mikesell’s Fine Jewelry on Main Street in Hamilton, said she believes just getting visitors to stop is a victory for the valley’s business owners.

"Anytime you can get someone to stop and spend a few minutes in town, I think it’s good for the town and the Chamber," Mikesell said. "The more living and breathing bodies we have, the better off we are."

Wolfe concurred and added that she would hope stopping at the gallery would prompt visitors to walk downtown to soak up more of the local charm.

"We want to showcase a little of everything," she said, "in order to let people know what the Bitterroot has to offer."

Mikesell said she believes opening the new Chamber-sponsored store is a departure from the way local chambers of commerce usually promote their businesses.

"As far as I know this is unique," she said. "We’re forging new territory."

Wolfe agreed. "I know of no other chambers that do this," she said. "It’s just one of the ways we promote our valley."

Reporter Rod Daniel can be reached at 363-3300 or [email protected]