Chamber holds New Business Breakfast

By Editor | October 27, 2011 |

Ten new Vandalia business owners and managers were honored earlier this month at the annual Vandalia Chamber of Commerce New Business Breakfast.
In addition to emcee Kevin Childers and Chamber President Dana Whiteman, the program for the Oct. 13 event included remarks by Vandalia Mayor Rick Gottman.
Gottman thanked the new business owners for taking the risk to start a new business, and he pledged the city’s ongoing support. In particular, he noted efforts by the Flowers family and Dennis Grubaugh in the downtown area.
Gottman also said that the city is continuing to pursue new businesses to fill the remaining storefronts in the Interstate 70 western interchange area and on Gallatin Street.
“The downtown merchants have really picked things up,” Gottman said. “They put up a billboard on I-70 to try to get people off the interstate. If we can do that, it will bring new dollars into our community.”
Additionally, Gottman said that the city has taken over the operation of Lincoln Park in downtown Vandalia. The now-defunct Vandalia Main Street program formerly oversaw it.
Gottman said that a fund will be set up through the Old Capital Foundation so donations can be made for the ongoing maintenance and improvements to the park.
Among the honorees at the breakfast were:
• Lisa Arenas, new partner and bookkeeper at Champion Trophies & Ts.
• Dave Behrends, owner/manager of Denny’s Restaurant.
• Donna Langley, manager of Habitat Resale Shop.
• Mindy Gaylord, manager of Liberty Stop Drop-N-More.
• Kathy Sanders, manager of Liberty Old Towne Cheese.
• Sean Cook, manager of Lamp of Liberty.
• Bill and Linda Overton, owners of Quality Diesel Repair.
• Regina Brown, owner of Regina’s Antique Treasures.
• Jennifer Flowers, manager of Sew Liberty.
• Sam Flowers, manager of Liberty Woodworking and Scrapbooking.