Coming off the celebration of America’s 250th Birthday, it’s an important time to not only reflect on the past, but also look forward to the future. We are surrounded by landmarks of the area’s past industrial strength and strong main streets dotted with local businesses. Walking through one of our villages, or a stroll through Downtown Dunkirk or Jamestown, it’s not hard to imagine the small businesses that originally occupied those spaces decades or centuries ago, and the communities that resulted from them. Local businesses are the foundation of our communities.

Looking to the future, we spent the month of June during our Small Business Sit-Downs (an open format conversation we host with businesses throughout Chautauqua County) asking the question, “What does sustainable growth look like for your business?” As always the answers varied.

The keywords that people kept coming back to were community, trust, communication, reliability, and collaboration. This spoke volumes. If businesses want to be successful, if they want to grow, if they want to last, they need to have valued relationships with their customers, with their business partners, and with their community. One person in attendance at our Jamestown meeting said, “I can forgive a bad meal, I can’t forgive bad service.” The way we build relationships matters, and has a lasting effect.

We celebrate milestones frequently as a part of our work. What businesses last? The businesses that successfully make it from 1 year to 200 years in operation, are the ones who have figured out how to build, maintain and grow their relationship with our community. But it’s not a one way street, communities are built on business and the products and services they provide. This is why it’s so important to support our local business community. When businesses go, a community is left with the relics of what once was.

In 2026 as our country celebrates 250 years, we at the CHQ Chamber appreciate Chautauqua County’s business and industrial heritage that built our communities. We’re equally proud and excited to play a key role in supporting and growing our businesses through our mission to build vital connections, provide professional resources, and champion local businesses across Chautauqua County.

The Chautauqua Gazette joins the CHQ Chamber in wholeheartedly welcoming Trattoria Partenope to Bemus Point.

A beloved Ellicottville staple, owners Giovanni Sismondi and Andrea Lucignano have expanded into Chautauqua County. They proudly occupy the former and well-known Chautauqua lakefront location of “The Fish”. The team partners with Iuculano Developement — Frankie Iuculano, Nick Russell and Chad Laska — to make for the perfect entrepreneurial recipe.

Giovanni’s family hails from Naples, Italy and brings their love for authentic Italian cooking to our community. The ownership has designed their well-appointed and inviting atmosphere as an extension of their home. They welcome guests to experience the genuine flavors and convivial spirit of Italy.