Ephrata chamber refocuses efforts

EPHRATA - Ephrata's retailers need to work together to bring shoppers to the town's downtown.

This was one message that came out of a recent meeting held by the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce's Retail Trade Committee, said chamber board President Kevin Danby Monday.

The cooperation can be done to put together advertising specials or events, rather than just individuals doing their own thing, he explained.

Historically the chamber has been event oriented.

Danby mentioned Basin Summer Sounds, which attracts about 20,000 people to Ephrata for the free event, he said.

"Basin Summer Sounds is the pinnacle event," Danby noted.

About 20 people attended the Retail Trade Committee meeting, where retailers including those representing jewelry, pets, hair care and photography services were represented.

One meeting participant, Chris Harrison, owner/designer with Harrison's Diamonds & Designs, is the best example of a self promoter, Danby said.

"He does a great job of putting together events and (his) advertising ideas are new and fresh," Danby commented.

Mike Scellick, owner of Sole Performance, Ephrata Athletic Club and the Nat Washington Inn, also took part.

"I think the chamber is trying to help businesses. It is very good," he told the Columbia Basin Herald. "We went through this 20 years ago, when the chamber and retail trades split into two divisions."

It is important the chamber addresses the issues involves with downtown shrinking, he said.

Running a business in a small town's downtown is difficult, he said.

He spoke of ordering 200 pairs of soccer shoes from a major company, which didn't return his call, he said.

"Sometimes to get products from companies is difficult," Scellick commented.

To get a sales representative from a major company to stop at his store, he offers free lodging, dinner and use of the athletic club.

Even so, he only sees three sales representatives a year.

"You have to be good, work hard and have a good plan if you're going to survive in business,"  he said. "Those are the kinds of things we face. We're just trying to get people downtown."

Some businesses, like certain ladies clothing lines and men's clothing stores, have come to an end, Scellick said.

"Those things the chamber can't help you with, but the chamber can help you with promotion," he added.

Deb Adams, with the Ephrata Chamber of Commerce, said she thought the meeting went well.

The chamber's goal is to facilitate the direction that came out of the meeting, she said.

"There was a desire to pull the retail community together as one," she commented. "I think this committee can certainly help in achieving that goal."

There was also a desire by participants to have a regular meeting and talk about different way to interest people in shopping at home and supporting local businesses.

"From the chamber's perspective, we want to show them how the chamber can work with the local businesses," she commented.

The Retail Trade Committee's next meeting is set for 7:30 a.m., June 16, at the Ephrata Recreation Center, 112 Basin St. SW, Ephrata.