Glen Cove Chamber celebrates 100 years

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The Glen Cove Chamber of Commerce gathered for an elegant evening of dinner, dancing and raffles at the Metropolitan Caterers to celebrate a big anniversary. The Nov. 19 gala was spearheaded by committee co-chairs and chamber board members Dr. Maxine Cappel Mayreis and Mary Stanco, who were recognized for their efforts for a return to chamber event after a three-year hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic.  

The chamber was established to serve the community by providing leadership, education and advocacy to stimulate economic growth within the city and surrounding areas but has also served as a way for businesses to network with one another. Throughout its history, the chamber has seen historic events that severely impacted the city’s economy, including the great depression and most recently, the pandemic. 

The gala, one of the chamber’s largest events, was initially postponed due to the Covid-19, but with the recent decreased need for social distancing, the chamber seized the opportunity to gather and highlight contributions of past presidents and current president, Matt Nartowicz. 

At the gala, Nartowicz noted that during state-wide lockdowns many businesses had to become creative with advertising and had to carefully structure how they allowed customers to enter their storefronts, including restaurants coordinating with the city to close streets to set up curbside dining. Businesses also turned to social media for additional advertisement. 

“We had to adapt to some tough rules and regulations on how we change our businesses,” Nartowicz said. “Our handle on businesses changed daily, but Glen Cove businesses were resilient.” 

Mayor Pamela Panzenbeck expressed her admiration to the chamber and recognized the contributions small businesses have made to the city’s economy and culture. 

“You are all the backbone of our community, you are the risk takers,” she said. “You put everything on the line to make your businesses successful.”

Small businesses like North Shore Neurofeedback, owned by Glen Cove resident Dr. Stacie Locascio, are among many of the new businesses that have benefited from membership to the chamber. 

Locascio’s business slowed during lockdown, but because of the chamber’s dedication to helping small businesses, she has seen an increase since she joined and has said that the chamber is a wonderful asset to the community. 

“These are the kinds of people I want to surround myself with — positive, energetic and fun,” Locascio said.

Jamé Krauter, the chamber’s second vice president, said that it’s important the North Shore community and surrounding areas know that membership is offered to businesses without brick-and-mortar storefronts.

“We really incorporate the idea, and the value of community and community means businesses from all over,” Krauter said.