Simplifying Social Media for Business

Using social media is one way you can take control of your businesses online presence and connect with current and future customers. The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is ready to help business owners and managers tackle social media with their Social Media Workshop Series sponsored by Holiday Inn Express & Suites. They plan to cover how to use Facebook and LinkedIn for you business, as well as talk about where people are finding your business online, like Yelp, TripAdvisor and Angie’s List.

Social media is extremely helpful for business because it makes it easier for consumers to find your business, increases brand recognition, reaches out to an audience that already ‘Likes’ your brand, creates brand ambassadors, shows you care about your business by being there and being ready to have meaningful conversations with consumers about your brand and their needs and expectations. Peer reviews and recommendations are trusted far more than advertising by consumers. Conversations are happening all over the internet so you should be involved and ready to respond to every positive and negative comment.

The Chamber’s workshops were created to help your social media strategy on every level. These workshops will be 100% interactive where participants will be asked to bring their laptop with various materials ready go on it so specific tasks can be accomplished during the workshops. Also, to help the participants get the most out of the workshops they will be kept to a 12 person maximum so personalized help will be achieved.

Scheduled classes are as followed: Introduction to Facebook For Your Business, Intermediate: Facebook For your Business and LinkedIn for Business Professionals and Your Business. The Intro Facebook classes are going held to be Wednesday, Feb 27, and Thursday, Feb 28, from 8:30AM-11:30AM. The Intermediate Facebook class is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13, from 8:30AM-11:30AM. The LinkedIn class is scheduled for Wednesday, April 10, from 8:30AM-11:30AM. Managing Your Online Reputation is a new class which will take place on Wednesday, May 15, from 8:30AM-11:30AM.

Cost of each workshop is $35 for Chamber Members and $40 for Non-Chamber Members. If one class fills up and you are not able to register, please contact the Chamber and more classes will be held until the community’s needs are satisfied. If you are interested in others like YouTube, Twitter, Foursquare and Pinterest, please contact the Chamber so they know what they should plan for the future. For more information or to register for these workshops, please call the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce at 263-2161 or visit them online at www.sandpointchamber.com.

Chamber Welcomes Earles’ Embroidery and Screen Printing

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to welcome Earle’s Embroidery and Screen Printing. Earles’ Embroidery has been operating in the greater Sandpoint area since 1999. In 2010 Jackie and Ken Earle sold their business to Peter Gillis. Peter moved the embroidery shop from the Earles’ home on Hwy 95 north of town to its present location at the corner of Hwy 200 and McGhee Road in Kootenai. As the only local custom embroiderer, you can be involved in the design process and work with Peter every step of the way.

Peter has continued serving all past clients as well as many new clients. Peter went on to say, “If Earles’ Embroidery did work for you years ago, your design is still in the embroidery software.” We also offer screen printing and have been fortunate to supply businesses and events like the Long Bridge Swim, MickDuff’s and all of the 24 Hours for Hank fundraisers with embroidered and screen printed clothing, caps and bags.

Earles’ Embroidery has a wide selection of suppliers to choose from when it comes to finding the right cap, jacket, fleece, hoodie or anything else you may want embroidered or screen printed.

“If we can hoop it, frame it or fit it under a screen, we’ll get it done,” says Peter.

Please help the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcome Earles’ Embroidery & Screen Printing to the Chamber and wish them continued success. For more information call Peter at 208-265-2579 or stop by the shop at 21 McGhee Road, Suite 107.

Photo: Peter Gillis cuts the ribbon with family members and Chamber Ambassadors.

Chamber Welcomes The Readery

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce welcome The Readery to Sandpoint. The Readery is a family owned and operated amalgamation of Café, Coffee shop, and Bookstore located on First Ave in Sandpoint, 209 N First Ave. They offer amazing local, organic coffee from Avion Coffee out of Hayden, ID, a full and diverse breakfast and lunch menu, and a small, but choice, collection of used books.

What sets The Readery apart in the restaurant industry is an unwavering commitment to quality. ‘I use only the best ingredients I can find, and everything is made from scratch,’ said Michael Boshka, co-owner. ‘I roast all the sandwich meats in house and use top quality cheeses, fresh bread, and great produce. Our food is unique, comforting and honest. We don’t cut corners and that is reflected in the taste.’

The Readery is co-owned by Michael Boshka, his wife, Katie Stang, and his sister and her husband, Anna Boshka and Brian Grosenbaugh. Both Boshka’s grew up in Bigfork, Montana where as they matured they worked nearly every position in the restaurant industry. Most of Michael’s collegiate career was spent training as a classical guitarist and composer, but cooking was always a means of income and a passion for the non-starving artist. Anna and Brian currently teach English at the Monarch School in Heron, MT. The Readery is a combination of our various passions, but namely great food and literature.   

The Readery hopes to become a venue for cultural events of all kinds. ‘We have had poets, authors and musicians in for performances and we plan on doing many more events in the future,’ explained owner Michael Boshka. ‘Anyone that is passionate about good food, and great coffee, or appreciates a good book in a comfortable atmosphere should visit The Readery. It is a great place to meet friends, have a business meeting, or relax on a couch and play some scrabble or read a good book. We also strive to accommodate those with special dietary restrictions and are happy to tweak our menu to anyone’s needs.’

Please help the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcome The Readery to Sandpoint and wish them great success. For more information, visit them at their location on First Ave, 209 N First, call 208-597-7866, email them at thereaderysandpoint@gmail.com or visit them online at www.thereaderysandpoint.com.  Interact with them and learn out their Daily Specials and events on Facebook.

Photo: Owners Michael Boshka and Katie Stang cut the ribbon with Chamber Ambassadors.

Chamber Welcomes Monarch Mountain Coffee

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce welcomes Monarch Mountain Coffee and new owners, Leonard and Sherrie Wilson, to the Chamber. In February of 2012, Monarch Mountain Coffee changed hands and has since be rejuvenated with new blood, new changes but same great coffee, atmosphere and friendly staff.

Sherrie Wilson is an Idaho native from Boise and moved to Sandpoint five years ago when her husband, Leonard, had the opportunity to relocate his job to the area. Sherrie, after spending the last 20 years as a medical transcriptionist, the last two of which at Bonner General Hospital, thought this would be a good time chasing the dream to own her own coffee shop. She searched Sandpoint and the greater area for a prime location that wouldn’t take much to renovate into a premium coffee shop and always used Monarch Mountain Coffee as her benchmark. However, over the years of searching nothing seemed to meet Monarch Mountain Coffee’s mold. So, the dream was put on the back burner until one day she told the opportunity to purchase Monarch Mountain Coffee was available and in a whirlwind of magic, the dream of owning a coffee shop came to fruition.

Although Sherrie is the owner and operated, it is still a family effort with her husband, Leonard, being the Roaster. Monarch Mountain still has all of the historic blends and formulas you’ve enjoyed over the years. However, after studying the science of roasting and being completely methodical when it comes to roasting, you are still able to try some of their newer roasts.

Monarch Mountain Coffee is an internet café with a growing menu all of the time. There are lots of organic items on the menu and they strive to be as responsible as they possibly can when sourcing their coffee. They do buy Fair Trade, Rainforest Alliance and Organic coffee beans when they are reasonable. Recently, they even acquired the ability to sell beer and wine which they will keep it local with Pend d’Oreille Winery wine and Laughing Dog Brewery beer.

‘Everyone is welcome and the customer is number one at Monarch Mountain Coffee,’ explained Sherrie. ‘We invite you through their doors and welcome you to stay as long as you’d like.’

The atmosphere is very comfortable and casual which makes it easy to bring your work, your friends, your meeting and your free time to one of their comfortable chairs. The friendly staff is very attentive but certainly not pushy. Come in a check out their Latte Special which rotates randomly as they see fit.

The Northwest Film Institute has decided to make Monarch Mountain Coffee the home of their movie nights on the third Thursday of every month at 7pm. Admissions is FREE but donations are accepted. Come and enjoy their movies and support or get involved in Sandpoint’s growing film scene.

The Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce wishes Monarch Mountain Coffee continued success in our community. Visit them at their location 208 N 4^th, next to the Post Office between Oak St and Cedar St, Monday-Saturday from 6am-7pm, Sunday 6am-5pm. For more information call 265-9382 or connect with them on Facebook www.facebook.com/monarchmountaincoffee.