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

Cleaning-Industrial
Orange Industrial Services, Inc.
Mr. Eric Knaak
1420 Chamber Dr.
Bartow, FL 33830
(863) 519-0831
www.orangeindustrial.com
Join Date: 08/14/2015

 

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 Summer Business Quarterly Magazine!
















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

Wow. That's all I can say about our Bartow Public Library. Our library is a true treasure and I think that it is probably under-utilized, under-appreciated, and under-estimated. 
     When I walked into the library today, I saw men sitting in the comfortable chairs reading magazines and newspapers, teenagers and young adults on computers and wee little ones learning how to use computers.
      I love books. When I was a young teenager I spent a lot of time at the library in my small town. Sometimes to study, sometimes to meet boys, sometimes both! 
      Did you know that there are 50,000 items in our Bartow Pubic Library? That includes not only books, but DVD's, CD's and eBooks.
     Our library is an incredible free resource for small business. Its staff can help you write a business plan, a marketing plan and give you the demographics of your targeted market.
      Another thing that I find interesting is the library's genealogy software that includes free ancestry.com. I cannot wait to explore that!
     So far, the Children's Summer Program has been a record breaker, serving 2011 children and adults. Some of these programs include Paws to Read, Story Time and Story Telling Workshops. Future programs will include Books and Babies beginning in September and After School Story Time beginning in October. The staff also provides tutoring after school.
     If you're like me and could use a lesson on how to use your smart phone, there is an expert on staff who will give you lessons one on one - and not just for your smart phone, but for any electronic device. Someone even brought in a sewing machine to learn how to use it, and they helped with that. Call the library an set up an appointment with Paul.
      The library now houses a 3D printer. It is an amazing piece of equipment.While I waited Roxanne Tovre, head librarian, made me a printed Lego. It looked, worked and felt just like the real deal. If you have a design that you need or a certain gizmo, you can make it there. One gentleman needed a piece for his vertical blinds, a piece that you cannot buy, but . . . the 3D printer can make one and did!
     The Pamplin Gallery is on the second floor of the library. Various schools and individuals are invited to display artwork in that area. There are also meeting rooms where non-profit organizations can meet at no charge.
     This is just a bit of what our Bartow Public Library has to offer; and as long as you are a resident of Polk County, your library card is free! 
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.

Although it was torrential rains on this Fun Thursday, many Chamber members braved the elements and came to the Tom Edwards Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Fun Thursday. Thanks for having us, it was a great event!

We have two very exciting Chamber trips coming up:
WANT TO FIND OUT MORE?
Please join us on Wednesday, September 9 at 6:00 p.m. for the Discover Tuscany travel presentation hosted by the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce. Italian food samples will be provided by Cruise Planners, Ruthelise Anderson. Reservation required.
Call Barbara Adamson, 533-7125, for more information and to secure your seat.

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.
 

(All meetings are in the Chamber Boardroom unless otherwise noted.)

AUGUST

Tuesday, August 18, 3:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, August 18, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wednesday, August 19, 3:00 p.m.
ENGAGE Committee meeting

Monday, August 24, 4:00 p.m.
EVENTS Committee Task Force

Thursday, August 27, 3:30 p.m.
CRC COMMITTEE, Bartow City Hall


SEPTEMBER

Tuesday, Sept. 8, 4:00 p.m.
HOMETOWN HEROES COMMITTEE

Wednesday, Sept. 9, 6:00 p.m.
TRAVEL PRESENTATION

Thursday, Sept. 10, 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, Sept. 10, 5:15 p.m.
BARTOW FORD FUN THURSDAY
2800 US 98 N., Bartow

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 3:30 p.m.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Tuesday, Sept. 15, 4:00 p.m.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wednesday, Sept. 16, 11:45 a.m.
CRC DIVERSITY LUNCHEON
Bartow Civic Center

Thursday, Friday, Sept. 17, 18
LEADERSHIP XVI SECOND YEAR RETREAT
Clearwater

Thursday, Sept. 24, 4:30 p.m.
HAMILTON ENGINEERING & SURVEYING, INC. RIBBON-CUTTING
& Grand Opening - Barbecue
310 E. Main Street, Suite 4, Bartow

Saturday, Sept. 26, all day, 11:00 a.m. RC
NICKELODEAN DAY OF PLAY AT NYE JORDAN PARK
with Ribbon-cutting for new tennis courts

Tuesday, Sept. 29, 4:00 p.m.
HOMETOWN HEROES COMMITTEE

Great turnout of all kinds at the Main Street Comics and Memorabilia Ribbon-cutting on August 14, 2015. Below, Virginia and John Harrison cut the ceremonial red ribbon with a Klingon weapon and the Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce "puny" scissors, assisted by lots of strange celebrants and the usual fare of Diplomats, Chamber members and Ambassadors.

POP UP ART
BUILDING TOUR

Main Street Bartow, Inc. is putting a new spin on economic development with an innovative approach to creating interest in the organization's district.

Main Street is joining a trending craze caught on by many of the larger cities in America, called, "Pop-Up Art."

Main Street Bartow, Inc., however, has improved upon the trend by implementing a slight twist: instead of one location for art - there's many!

Artwork in the windows of the unoccupied buildings or spaces in Bartow's downtown area draws attention to the space; and along with the art is a fact sheet regarding the specs of the building or space, as well as suggested ideas, and potential possibilities that could fill the space. Other information includes the name of the Realtor, Main Street Bartow and Greater Bartow Chamber of Commerce contact info; and information about the Bartow Community Redevelopment Agency, which may provide assistance to the new buyer or renter.

SBDC Is Available At
Chamber On September 10
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 onSeptember 10, 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.