The Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce brings its members and the community together for an active, thriving partnership
By Mary Malik
Welcome to the Chagrin Valley. This group of 13 communities is supported by the Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce (CVCC). The CVCC promotes local businesses and supports civic life, making this hamlet we call home an even better place to live and do business.
The CVCC began in 1943 to advance the commercial, industrial and civic interests of the Chagrin Falls community. In 1957, the chamber expanded to incorporate the entire Chagrin Valley and today has more than 500 members.
“Each of our member communities brings something special to the area. Together we’ve created a network of businesses that support each other to the benefit of all,” says executive director Jessica Debeljak. “All year long the CVCC works to promote its members, but holiday time is especially unique in the Chagrin Valley. There’s excitement in the air, and the chamber events add to the festive atmosphere.”
The CVCC provides members with an instant network of like-minded individuals interested in growing their businesses, expanding their brands and improving their bottom lines. The benefits of membership include access to exclusive networking events, advertising for all budgets, community partnerships, business referrals, member discounts and much more.
“We help you succeed,” says Jessica. “Membership will increase your business’ value, visibility and credibility. And when you succeed, everyone benefits.”
CVCC membership also allows businesses to support many non-profit events throughout the year. These events are good for the community and keep the local market strong and growing. And chamber events exclusively for members provide helpful information and guidance to both new and experienced business owners.
Special events of the CVCC include an education lecture series featuring speakers on everything from the advantages of the unique arts community here to how to protect your business from legal action, staying compliant when planning online fundraising, mastering sales skills and best social media practices for small businesses.
“Anyone interested in growing their business will be able to do that here,” says Jessica. “Resident memberships are also available for those who want to be the first to know about everything happening in the Chagrin Valley.”
Speaking of activities, no one celebrates the holidays like this community. From the Sip & Shop in downtown Chagrin Falls to the festival of trees in Riverside Park, the tree lighting and Deck the Falls events and Small Business Saturday activities, the CVCC helps to set a festive, holiday tone.
“Our members support each other and serve this community in many different ways,” says Jessica. “The holidays are such a special time for everyone to come together and celebrate what makes the Chagrin Valley such a special place to live and work.”
The CVCC’s year-round events draw attention to the Chagrin Valley for locals, certainly, but also for visitors. This creates increased visibility for members and builds connections far beyond this area.
“The Chagrin Valley is a welcoming, bustling and vibrant community,” says Jessica. “The CVCC is proud to offer the support and resources to help businesses succeed, grow and thrive in the community we love.”
The 13 communities served by the CVCC are Auburn, Bainbridge, Bentleyville, Chagrin Falls, Gates Mills, Hunting Valley, Moreland Hills, Newbury, Orange, Pepper Pike, Russell, South Russell and Woodmere.
The Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce is located at 83 N. Main Street, in Chagrin Falls. For more information on membership and events call 440-247-6607, email info@cvcc.org, or visit CVCC.org. Find the Chagrin Valley Chamber of Commerce on Facebook and Instagram.
ANNA MARIA OF AURORA
Anna Maria of Aurora is celebrating its 60th anniversary as a three-generation, family-owned-and-operated continuum care residential community. Offering a wide range of services and care settings in home-like environments, residents stay in comfortable, familiar surroundings as their needs change.
“We offer every level of care, including short-term rehabilitation,” Community Relations Director Evan Webster says. “We started 60 years ago with two residents—our founder Bob Norton’s mother and aunt, Anna and Maria. Bob wasn’t happy with the care they received elsewhere and thought, ‘I can do it better.’”
Today, Anna Maria operates just as it did all those years ago, with a dedicated staff, many of whom have been there for more than 20 years.
“Constant communication and attention to the needs of residents and families,” Evan says. “That’s the difference at Anna Maria.”
Anna Maria of Aurora is located at 889 N. Aurora Road, in Aurora. Call 330-562-6171 or visit AnnaMariaOfAurora.com for more information.
CHAGRIN HOME IMPROVEMENTS
Chagrin Home Improvements has been providing premium deck restoration and cabinet painting services to the Chagrin Valley for more than 10 years. Owner Joe Jacobs and a few family members and close friends are all full-time employees, not seasonal hires, who are professionals in these trades and do these jobs with expertise, efficiency and great attention to detail.
“We’re proud to serve this community where we all grew up,” Joe says. “We go above and beyond the ordinary to be the very best at what we do, and it shows in every finished product.”
Joe and his crew have the latest high-tech equipment and use the highest-quality products in each process for deck cleaning and staining and cabinet painting. Call today to get on the schedule to complete your next project.
Call 440-247-6700 or visit ChagrinHome.com for more information.
EVERGREEN BAKERY
Evergreen Bakery offers artisan-style breads, buns, babkas, croissants and pastries made fresh daily.
“Customers are excited to have freshly made bread with no preservatives,” partner and founder Kate Cook says. “After outsourcing the pastries we offered at our sister business, Heartwood Coffee, my brother Jim and I decided to do it ourselves and Evergreen Bakery was born.”
Evergreen is taking holiday orders now. Impress your guests with fresh pumpkin, nut and cinnamon rolls, dinner rolls, buns and more.
“We have a pecan cranberry sourdough and other holiday flavors,” Kate says. “Sourdough and croissants take days to make, and we love sharing our process with customers in this community.”
Kate and Jim are educating people about breadmaking and the difference between the products you find at the grocery store.
Taste the difference at Evergreen Bakery.
Evergreen Bakery is located at 69 North Main Street in Chagrin Falls. Call 440-903-1019 or visit Evergreen-Bakery.com for more information.
FAIRMOUNT CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Fairmount Center for the Arts now has two locations, in Novelty and Chardon. Both locations offer classes in visual and performing arts to educate and engage children and adults.
Register now for winter and spring programming in dance, music, theater, visual arts and fitness.
“We’re offering a new creative arts preschool three times each week with movement and visual arts activities for little ones,” Fairmount Executive Director Elizabeth Bolander says. “Our Chardon location offers a theater program for teens to include a performance of an Edgar Allan Poe story. Teens will receive coaching in production and performance, helping them to grow as actors.”
The Chardon location also offers music lessons, theater programming, early childhood dance class “Mini Movers” and art classes for teens and adults.
Fairmount Center for the Arts has two locations: 8400 Fairmount Road in Novelty and 101 Main Street, Suite 105, in Chardon. Call 440-338-3171 or visit FairmountCenter.org for more information.
FULFILLED LIFE
Are you struggling with anxiety, weight gain or low energy? When health challenges like these—along with digestive problems, hormonal imbalances and sleep issues—keep you from feeling your best, it’s time to look beyond traditional approaches.
Yelena Tselenchuk, doctor of holistic health (BCDHH), naturopathic and homeopathic (BCN & BCHP), biofeedback practitioner and owner of Fulfilled Life, understands this firsthand.
After facing her own health struggles and finding limited solutions in conventional health care, she embarked on an extensive journey to uncover the root causes of her issues.
“True healing begins with understanding the root cause,” says Yelena. “I pursued multiple certifications, including functional blood chemistry analysis, advanced hormonal testing, biofeedback and more to find the root cause and address the core of my concerns. Now I’m here to help others do the same.”
Call 216-282-4520 or visit YelenaT.com for more information and to schedule your free consultation. Get 10% off services for new clients. Valid through January 1, 2025.
HIGHWAY GARAGE AND AUTO CENTER
Highway Garage and Auto Center in Chagrin Falls is celebrating 50 years of delivering dealership-quality service at family-friendly pricing.
“We started with a goal of being your family’s trusted auto service provider for life,” Highway Garage Business Development and Marketing Director Kristen Lukas says, “We have customers who have been coming here for more than 30 years and now their kids bring their cars. We’ve built a real family atmosphere.”
Highway Garage hires only experienced, knowledgeable and competent technicians qualified to service domestic and foreign automobiles.
“We’re also here to guide customers through an often-confusing insurance claim if they’ve been in an accident,” Kristen says.
From oil changes and battery replacements to electrical work and body repairs, Highway Garage is your friendly and trusted neighborhood auto repair shop.
Highway Garage and Auto Center is located at 8410 Washington Street in Chagrin Falls. Call 440-708-0600 or visit HighwayAutoCenter.com. Find them on Facebook @HGChagrinFalls.
THE LUCZKOWSKI AGENCY
Buy insurance, get protected. It’s a small price to pay to protect homes, autos, health and the future of loved ones. Barb Luczkowski, a licensed insurance agent and certified financial planner, started The Luczkowski Agency in 1991 so she can think about your insurance coverage—and you don’t have to.
“We help clients prepare for the future and face life’s uncertainties with confidence and peace of mind,” Barb says.
For life, auto, home and business insurance, college and retirement planning, Barb’s team customizes a plan so your home, family, business and future are protected.
“As community members for more than 30 years, we are committed to this community,” Barb says. “For each new client, we donate in your name to a local charity.”
For life’s changes, The Luczkowski Agency has you covered.
The Luczkowski Agency is located at 8045 Mayfield Road in Chesterland. Call 440-729-4042 or visit LuczkowskiAgency.com for more information.
PROGRESSIVE BUILDING SUPPLY
If you’re planning an interior or exterior renovation project for your home in the new year, check out the showroom at Progressive Building Supply in Chagrin Falls.
With a reputation for quality windows, doors, millwork, finishes and custom closet solutions, Progressive Building Supply has what you’re looking for from a new build to a century home renovation.
“We’re also installation certified for exterior work,” owner Brandon Guzman says. “Come into the showroom to touch and feel the products, open and close the doors and windows and see what matches your home’s esthetic and history.”
Brandon knows it can be difficult to match the historical esthetic when shopping for more efficient, updated windows and doors or when adding or replacing millwork in your century home. Progressive Building Supply can solve those issues.
Progressive Building Supply is located at 9911 East Washington Street in Chagrin Falls. Call 440-543-1060 or visit PBSBuild.com for more information.
REPRIEVE SPA
Looking for a luxury, five-star spa experience without pretension right here in the Chagrin Valley? Find it at Reprieve Spa.
“My goal was to find the talent to offer high-end services in a luxury, boutique spa setting,” owner Erica Medina, LMT, says. “My time at the five-star Peninsula Hotel Spa in Chicago showed me the kind of experience I wanted to provide, and that’s what you’ll experience here.”
Reprieve offers myriad massages, Eminence Organic Skin Care facials, body wraps, body scrubs, waxing services and a full-spectrum infrared sauna with optional red-light therapy. During your time at Reprieve, you also have full use of the relaxation room that boasts six relaxation beds and a fireplace, as well as the men’s and women’s locker rooms with showers and amenities.
“I invite people to come in and see how we acquired 210 five-star reviews in just ten months.” Erica says. “It’s time to take a reprieve.”
Reprieve Spa is located at 7185 Chagrin Road, Suite C in Chagrin Falls. Call 440-672-4947 or visit ReprieveSpa.com for more information.
SENIORS HELPING SENIORS CHAGRIN VALLEY
Seniors Helping Seniors (SHS) Chagrin Valley is a senior home care and companion agency where caregivers are age 45 and older.
“The intention of SHS is for seniors to feel they are getting help from a friend, not a caregiver, and that’s exactly what happens,” owner Heather Maver says. “Clients see the same caregiver and form a trusted bond, which allows clients to achieve the ultimate goal of remaining independent much longer.”
SHS offers non-medical aid such as help with errands, shopping, medication reminders and personal care like bathing and dressing.
“SHS is a great first step and relieves stress and pressure on family members to know their loved one is getting help from a trusted friend,” Heather says. “A little help goes a long way.”
Seniors Helping Seniors Chagrin Valley is female- and military veteran-owned. Call 216-998-2273 or visit SeniorsHelpingSeniors.com for more information.
SUSAN PARKER HOMESMART REAL ESTATE MOMENTUM
HomeSmart Realtor Susan Parker lives and loves Geauga County. With expertise in every area of real estate beyond her license, Susan has experience in rehabbing homes, real estate investing, home design and construction.
“HomeSmart offers the latest technology and innovative tools available to help me help my clients. The rest is up to me,” Susan says.
Susan has a goal of going above and beyond with every client, and to her that’s offering the highest level of service.
“I also serve in several community roles as president of the Chardon Chamber of Commerce, president-elect of the Chardon Rotary and vice president of Geauga County NAMI,” Susan says. “It’s a privilege to help clients find their homes in this community.”
HomeSmart Real Estate Momentum is located at 108 Cherry Avenue in Chardon. Call Susan at 440-209-2786, email realtorsusanparker@gmail.com or visit MoveWithSusan.com for more information.
Visit CVCC.org for more information about area businesses, how to become a member and a calendar of local holiday and winter activities and events in the Chagrin Valley community.