EAST LIVERPOOL, Ohio – With less than two months under his belt as director of the River Valley Chamber of Commerce, Stu Wallace wants everyone to know, “We’re here; we’re active.”
To that end, Wallace on Wednesday hosted the chamber’s first monthly networking breakfast, bringing together community members to exchange ideas, learn about the chamber and support local revitalization efforts.
Joining Wallace at Fresh Cafe & Bakery in the recently renovated True North office complex on East Fifth Street were Mayor Bobby Smith, Service-Safety Director Bill Jones and numerous representatives of area businesses and agencies who discussed their ideas and thoughts.
Wallace, who is also the executive director of LEAP Hub/East Liverpool Community Partnership for Revitalization, said he wants to create momentum so people know the chamber exists.
River Valley Chamber encompasses the city of East Liverpool, St. Clair Township and Liverpool Township, but Wallace said he also would like to involve the community of Chester, W.Va., just across the Ohio River, as well as offering a support system to the village of Wellsville, which has its own chamber.
“I want to build a big network: You offer this; we’ll offer that. I want to start getting the word out that we’re here,” Wallace emphasized.
Wallace said 10 new members joined the chamber during his first month as director, but it is actively looking for more members.
Among the new members is Youngstown Area Goodwill Industries, which is in the process of starting a new commercial store and training center in the city.
Wallace said he is also hoping to encourage the school district and East Liverpool City Hospital to join, noting the Buckeye Online School for Success has already done so.
“I see the potential and what needs [to be] done in the city, and I’m stepping up to help it grow. I want to have an active chamber in the community,” Wallace said.
In addition to seeking new members, Wallace said the chamber’s office at the corner of Market and Sixth streets is getting a facelift through the support of landlord Jim Sabatini, who is also a St. Clair Township trustee. The front of the building has been updated; the building has been painted; and new signage has been added.
Wallace said he wants to inspire the revitalization of East Liverpool, and that inspiration begins with conversations, such as the ones that took place at Wednesday’s breakfast.
The chamber is planning grand openings for new businesses, including one for a formal clothing store that will open this weekend and an eatery that will open on Walnut Street.
Attendees at the breakfast were provided with a needs assessment that Wallace encouraged everyone to complete.
“We just really want to know what you need from the chamber,” he said.
Charles Bailey, CEO of True North, asked how many of the attendees were visiting Fresh Cafe & Bakery for the first time. “The goal is not to just visit but to tell five people [about the experience],” whether they meet there or any other location in the community, he said.
“There’s a perception of what we’re supposed to be,” he said, adding that he wants visitors to leave saying, “I didn’t expect that,” after experiencing more than they anticipated.
Mandy Jones, owner of Fresh Cafe & Bakery, started the business nine years ago and relocated it to the True North building after its renovation.
“I’m so excited about where East Liverpool is now compared to when we first started,” she said. “Tell anybody and everybody to visit downtown. I’m looking forward to our future here.”
Wallace said individuals interested in obtaining one of the needs assessments or who have questions about the chamber can contact him at 330 383 2292.
Pictured at top: Mayor Bobby Smith, left, speaks with Mary Deem, Carnegie Public Library director, and Tom LaScola of Chase Bank in Wellsville.