Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce
PO Box 1166, Farmingdale, NY 11735
516-249-9010
www.farmingdalenychamber.org
When was your Chamber established?
The Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce has a long history. It began as the Farmingdale Board of Trade in the 1930s with Judge Willis B. Carman as its first president.
How many members do you have?
We currently have 126 members.
How does the Chamber promote their shop local initiatives?
The Chamber mails its monthly newsletter to new residents. They receive the Chamber newsletter for three months. In addition, Chamber members get a free Web link on our website. The website is linked to the Nassau County Council of Chambers, Nassau County, Town of Oyster Bay, and Newsday websites. Our monthly luncheons provide members the opportunity to network and promote their businesses.
What ways is the Chamber involved in the community?
The Chamber provides a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior from Farmingdale High School who plans to study business in college. Seniors are invited to write a 500-word essay about how the business community can make the world a better place. The Chamber is always there for our residents. The Chamber has purchased protective vests for the Farmingdale Village auxiliary police. The Chamber sponsors the annual Holiday Parade down Main Street and the annual Easter Egg hunt at the Village Green.
What are some upcoming events that the Chamber sponsors?
The U.S. Golf Open is coming to Farmingdale in June 2009. We are preparing a map and discount card to be distributed to the thousands of volunteers who will be working at the event. Sixty of our members will be offering volunteers a 10% discount or free gift. We hope that the Open will introduce some people to all the wonderful businesses and fabulous restaurants we have in Farmingdale, and the discount card and gift offer will encourage them to come back to Farmingdale after the Open.
Are there any memorable moments in the Chamber’s history that you would like to share?
The Farmingdale Board of Trade was disbanded in the 1950s and became the Farmingdale Merchants Association, which was disbanded in the 1970s. In the 1980s, it was reactivated as the Farmingdale Chamber of Commerce. I mention this because I think that it is interesting that there existed some kind of merchant association and that merchants felt the need to continue the organization in one form or another.
What was your 2008 Business of the Year and why?
Our 2008 Business person of the year was Dr. Chris Wider of Priestley Chiropractic 81 Conklin Street, Farmingdale. Dr. Wider not only is a fabulous chiropractor, but along with Dr. Priestley, serves the community in many ways. Dr. Wider is a trustee on the Chamber board and serves as our membership coordinator, as well as the Easter Bunny. Priestley Chiropractic hosts a school supply drive for children who are in need of school supplies. Dr. Priestley also participates in the annual Holiday parade as Santa.
How can kioli help you and your members?
It is very important that residents recognize the wonderful shops and great restaurants in their local communities. Not only can they save gasoline by shopping local, but they can get great prices and personalized service. We hope that kioli can help get the word out about shopping local.
