COMIC BOOKS
Main Street Comics & Memorabilia
Mr. John Harrison
415 E. Main St., Suite C
Bartow, FL 33830
Join Date:07/06/2015

RESTAURANT
Joshua's Kitchen
Mr. Todd L. Sapulski, Sr.
2020 Shepherd Rd.
Mulberry, FL 33860
(863) 701-7230
Join Date:07/08/2015

BUSINESS MARKETING CONSULTANTS
Alphagraphics
Mr. George Byfield
4130 S. Florida Ave.
Lakeland, FL 33813
(863) 646-5699
website
Join Date: 07/15/2015

SPORTS BAR
The Wine Stable
Mr. Fred Martin
150 S. Broadway Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 232-2785
Join Date: 07/20/2015

RETAIL STORES
Purple Cloudz
Mr. Eric Bell
2405 EF Griffin Rd., Suite 4
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 733-4814
website
Join Date: 07/22/2015

Restaurants/Gift Boutique
Sweet Magnolias Café & Gift Shop
Ms. Sandy Mendez
125 & 139 S. Central Ave.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 537-6083
Join Date; 07/30/2015
 
Painters-Commercial/Residential
Goff Painting, Inc.
Mr. Cory Goff
Winter Haven, FL 33880
(863) 877-5252
Join Date: 07/30/2015
 
Web Design
Torch Designs, LLC
Mr. Kevin Farnsworth
Lakeland, FL 33810
(863) 614-0029
website
Join Date: 07/30/2015
 

Looking for a commercially zoned lot, building for rent or to buy for your business? Please check out this site :

You'll get to create an account for free and check out MLS commercial listings for Bartow.
For a downloadable CRA District map, click here, scroll down and look under IMPORTANT LINKS in the right hand column of the Chamber's website.

$25 per run (up to 35 words), call 533-7125 or email Virginia.

COMMERCIAL RENTAL SPACE perfect for small business client consultation and/or satellite office space in Polk County's county seat. Minutes from the courthouse and county administration buildings. The 40-600 square foot move in ready space is located at 1480 N. Broadway Ave., Suite C in Bartow. Rental rates $450-$650 per month. Interested parties should call (863) 559-3180 or (863) 559-0101.

Click here to read the Spring Business Quarterly Magazine!
















Want to find a retail or service business? Click here.

     As I sit here and think about the County Commission meeting that I attended on August 4th, I am even more proud to be a resident of Bartow.
     When Chamber Executive Director Jeff Clark received the news that the Supervisor of Elections office was relocating to Auburndale, he spread the word to our city leaders immediately.
     Unfortunately, immediately was not fast enough, as it seemed that the County Commissioners, save one, Melony Bell, had decided to let the Supervisor of Elections office relocate out of Polk's county seat.
     What impressed me through it all, was the coming together of a community. The Mayor, our Vice Mayor, City Commissioners, the Chamber, Main Street Bartow, business owners and residents banned together for the good, not only for our community, but to try to maintain the integrity of our County Seat.
     We lost the vote. The Supervisor of Elections office (according to the vote) may be moving its main office out of the County Seat. And, although we don't believe it's over yet; I feel we won the victory as we came together for the good and tried to make a difference. For that, I am proud.
Until next week,
Sharon Casey
Chamber President, 2015

Left to right, Barbara Adamson, Bartow Chamber; Tim Jones and Kathy (Kat) Farrer Mullins of Tim Jones Barber Shop.

Business of the Month for August is . . .
TIM JONES BARBER SHOP
We are a friendly small town barber shop with a comfortable atmosphere. We offer discounts to policemen, firemen, active duty military and Summerlin Academy students. Come in and pick up your customer loyalty card, and the 10th haircut is on us! Tim Jones Barber Shop is located at 170 S. Wilson Ave., Bartow. Call 863-224-6114 for more information.

STUFF THE BUS DEADLINE IS
NOW AUGUST 14TH
Please join the ENGAGE Chamber Young Professionals in gathering school supplies for Polk's Homeless and Low Income Students. Won't you help? DeeDee Wright, Homeless Liaison with the Polk County School Board, said that last year ENGAGE helped 853 homeless students in Polk County receive school supplies!
     DeeDee also sent us a list of what's needed most this year: 3-prong folders, notebook paper, spiral notebooks, composition notebooks, color pencils, markers, highlighters, scissors, flash drives and empty book bags. All of these items may be dropped off at the Chamber from now until 5:00 p.m. on August 14, 2015.

We have two very exciting Chamber trips coming up:
Call Barbara Adamson, 533-7125, for more information!

Diversity Luncheon
To Promote Equality
 
To reaffirm its commitment to racial and ethnic equality, the City of Bartow’s Community Relations Committee (CRC) will hold a Diversity Luncheon on September 16, 2015, at noon, at the Bartow Civic Center in conjunction with Bartow’s Multicultural Awareness Month in September.
 
The month is set aside by Bartow’s City Commission to spotlight racial and ethnic equality and justice issues that confront people every day.
 
 “There are daily reminders to us all of how important this issue still is in America, and that promoting racial and ethnic equality and ending racism and discrimination requires awareness, commitment, and action,” said Gloria Washington, Co-chairman of the CRC. “This is an opportunity for Bartow to stand up and be counted in an ongoing effort to make sure our community fosters racial and ethnic equality and harmony.”
 
The annual Diversity Award will be presented to a business or organization and an individual at the luncheon. Nominations are being accepted for the award, click here for an online nomination.
 
Tickets for the Diversity Luncheon are $10 each and may be purchased at the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce. For more information, please call the Chamber at (863) 533-7125.

Now through August 14, 2015 (Deadline extended.)
ENGAGE STUFF THE BUS
Bring school supplies to the Chamber now through August 14th and help homeless Polk County students.
 
Tuesday, August 11, 6:00 p.m.
EMERGING LEADERS AWARDS BANQUET
Bartow Civic Center
2250 S. Floral Avenue, Bartow
BUY TICKETS HERE.

Thursday, August 13, 7:30 a.m.-8:30 a.m.
SCORE ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION, Tax Tips with Baylis & Co., PA
Sign up here.

Thursday, August 13, all day
FLORIDA SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER Representative Available to All Chamber Business Members. Call to schedule an appointment: (863) 678.4182, ext. 227.

Thursday, August 13, 5:15 p.m.
TOM EDWARDS CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM FUN THURSDAY
1425 W. Main Street, Bartow

Friday, August 14, 9:30 a.m.
MAIN STREET COMICS & MEMORABILIA RIBBON-CUTTING
415 E. Main Street, Bartow
Come dressed as your fav character, if you'd like!

COMMUNITY LOVE OUTREACH ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 15th
     The Diversity Luncheon theme this year is "Walking the Talk," and that's just what St. James AME Church is doing!
     A community-wide "LOVE" OUTREACH is set for Saturday, August 15, 2015 at Fort Blount Park, as part of the ministry of the Sons of Allen Men's Ministry and Agnes E. Stephens Women's Missionary Society.
     At the event, everyone may obtain food, clothing, back to school supplies and even a prayer beginning at 11:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m.
     St. James AME Church is located at 795 S. 4th Avenue in Bartow. Call Rev. Shirley Williams-Hayes, Pastor, at 863-533-6109 or email St. James AME Church for more information.
 

SBDC Is Available At
Chamber On August 13
The Florida Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at University of South Florida, assists existing and emerging businesses in Polk County, through no-cost confidential business consulting, and low-cost training. Consultants can assist entrepreneurs in a variety of business topics, including: marketing, business certification, capital access, market diversification, developing strategic business plans, export services, and web optimization. A consultant will be at the Chamber on August 13, 2015 and available to Chamber Businesses. To schedule an appointment, visit www.bartowchamber.com and follow the links on the home page, or call (863) 678.4182, ext. 227.