MUMFEST 2013 Survey - looking for new venues

Lisa Bisbee has designed our new logo ... we love it and hope you do too. The www.mumfest.com website is being updated and vendor applications will soon be mailed to those who participated last year.

We are now looking for new venues to add to the long list of events and activities and retire some that begin to be a bit of a "ho-hum" to festival-goers. To do that, we need your input.

We have a short survey that we would like our readers to fill out and share with friends and family. It is very brief, won't take more than a few minutes of your time and your input will be greatly appreciated.

Please take the survey by clicking here. Thank you!

We look forward to hearing from you.

Susan Moffat Thomas
Executive Director

Sunrise Business Update

Swiss Bear and the New Bern Area Chamber of Commerce are happy to announce we are partnering to provide Sunrise Business Update, to the business community.

Beginning January 31, bi-monthly Sunrise Business Update meetings will kick-off with featured speaker, John W. Gibson, attorney with Hull Story Gibson, owners of the New Bern Mall on MLK Jr. Boulevard. Gibson's work at Hull Story Gibson includes the acquisition, financing and operation of retail properties.

The meetings will be held 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. at Baker's Kitchen, 227 Middle Street in the second floor meeting room with a full buffet breakfast. The cost of $10 per person, will be collected at the beginning of the meeting.

Due to limited seating, reservations are required by contacting the Chamber; email smilliron@newbernchamber.com or call 637-3111. Reservations for the January 31 meeting are required by the end of  Tuesday, January 29th workday.

The schedule of the bi-monthly programs for the calendar year is: January 31, March 28, May 30, July 25, September 26, December 5.

A complete listing of speakers for the year will be published in the near future.

The goal in initiating this project/program is to provide an opportunity for the business community to meet and hear presentations from business professionals on topics that are important and timely to New Bern, Craven County and Eastern North Carolina.

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Executive Director

Kudos to Jan Francouer, A Main Street Champion

Jan Francoeur
Owner of Carolina Creations

On Thursday, January 31, Janet Francoeur, owner of Carolina Creations will be recognized by the Secretary of the NC Department of Commerce as a 2012 Main Street Champion at the NC  Main Street Annual Awards ceremony in Salisbury.

As a member of the NC Main Street Program, Swiss Bear is given the opportunity annually to recognize a local Main Street Champion…a person who brings fresh ideas to downtown, is a reliable volunteer for a downtown special event, is a creative building owner whose renovation respects the architectural and history significance of the structure and is committed to the downtown privatization effort.

Jan Francoeur fits the description, for sure. Well-known, well-liked, an innovative entrepreneur, Jan and her husband own a business which is a recognized downtown destination. She and Michael are downtowners through and through.

We appreciate the many contributions of time and talent Jan has contributed to the downtown effort and are happy to add her name to the list of the many other Main Street Champions.

Susan Moffat-Thomas

Executive Director