Happy Thanksgiving from CCCBI!
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Happy Thanksgiving!
This season reminds us how fortunate we are to serve a community filled with passionate businesses, dedicated volunteers, and partners who believe in building a vibrant local economy.
From our team:
Laura, Nicole, Marianne, Jarrod, Carrie and Abby
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Shop Small: Everything You Need to Know About Small Business Saturday
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What's happening: Small Business Saturday is an annual event that takes place on the Saturday following Thanksgiving (this year, November 29, 2025).
Why it matters: Small Business Saturday is a vital day to support local small businesses, infusing money into local economies and celebrating their role in the national economy.
By the numbers:
- 99% of all U.S. businesses are small businesses, contributing roughly 40% of the nation’s GDP.
- 79% of small businesses say the holiday season is critical for their profits this year, up from 70% last year.
- 41% of shoppers plan to do their holiday shopping at small businesses, up from 36% in 2024.
Get involved: Join the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in promoting shopping small, investing in local communities, and celebrating the important role of small businesses play in our economy throughout the holiday season.
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VISTA NextGen Superstars is Back!
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Chester County's premier recognition program celebrating rising leaders under 40 who are making a real impact in their fields and communities.
When you nominate a colleague, a mentee, a friend, or even yourself, you're not just recognizing excellence, you're shaping the future of Chester County.
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Street Closures for the West Chester Christmas Parade
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As our neighbors at the Greater West Chester Chamber of Commerce approach the date of their Annual Christmas Parade, we want to help communicate several street closures in downtown West Chester that evening.
The parade will take place on Friday, December 5th and streets will begin to shut down that afternoon at 4pm with full closure by 4:30pm.
All Streets in Parade Footprint Closed on Friday 12/5 from 4:30pm – 10:00pm.
"No parking" signs will be posted starting at 3pm that afternoon. Cars will be towed if they are parked along the parade route after 3pm. Please see this list of street closures and plan accordingly when driving or parking on the day of the parade.
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- Market Street between Matlack and Bradford Ave
- Walnut Street between Chestnut and Miner
- High Street between Gay and Market
- High Street between Chestnut and Miner
- Church Street between Chestnut and Market
- Darlington Street between Chestnut and Wollerton Ally
- New Street between Chestnut and Market
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Why Millennials and Gen Z Should Care About America250
By Laura Manion
President & CEO, Chester County Chamber of Business & Industry
Member, Chester County America250 Commission
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As a millennial, a business leader, and a parent, I’m often straddling generations—collaborating with seasoned professionals while mentoring emerging leaders. It’s a unique vantage point that offers perspective. One thing I know for certain: the upcoming 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding—America250—is not just about looking back. It’s about looking forward. And Millennials and Gen Z must be part of that conversation.
In 2026, our country will celebrate a milestone: 250 years of independence. Here in Chester County—where history quite literally lives in our streets, buildings, and institutions—we are proud to be part of the Commonwealth's effort to commemorate this moment. But to make it meaningful, we need to ensure younger generations aren’t just passive observers of history. They should be authors of the next chapter.
Why should this matter to us? Because the ideals that sparked 1776—freedom, representation, opportunity—are not just pieces of history; they’re values that still guide us today. Millennials and Gen Z are drawing from that foundation as we navigate the challenges of our time, whether through entrepreneurship, civic engagement, issue advocacy, or community building. Our generation has grown up with digital access, global awareness, and a healthy skepticism of the status quo. By looking back, we better understand where we’ve come from—and how we can shape a promising future.
America250 offers a once-in-a-generation platform for us to elevate those voices and shape the national conversation about who we are and where we’re going – by revisiting where we’ve been.
Here in Chester County, we’re working to ensure that the America250 celebration reflects the full richness of our communities. Through local events, educational programs, and public forums, we’re inviting every resident—especially our youth—to bring their ideas, energy, and passions to the table. What do you want to see in the next 250 years?
I encourage my fellow Millennials and Gen Z leaders—whether you're running a business, studying in school, raising a family, or launching your career—to get involved. Lend your talents to a local America250 initiative. Start a project that connects your peers to the history happening all around us.
This is not just a celebration of what was. It’s a chance to define what will be.
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In an age dominated by screens, Young Rembrandts provides a unique, hands-on approach to art education that engages both sides of the brain.
Through step-by-step drawing lessons, the program helps students develop fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and critical thinking, all while building confidence and fostering creativity.
Young Rembrandts stands apart from typical craft-based programs by focusing exclusively on drawing—the foundation of all visual arts—allowing participants to experience real artistic growth and accomplishment.
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The program is designed to be inclusive, supporting students of all ages and skill levels, from preschoolers to seniors. For young children, activities strengthen hand-eye coordination and fine motor control, essential for writing readiness. Elementary-aged students explore perspective, overlapping shapes, size and shape coordination, and proper coloring techniques, enhancing both artistic skill and concentration. Teens and tweens have access to specialized workshops, including anime, manga, and pastel art, tailored to more advanced interests and abilities.
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Young Rembrandts also serves adults and retirees, offering creative opportunities to explore artistic expression later in life. Programs in retirement communities and memory care units provide step-by-step activities that allow seniors, including those with cognitive vulnerabilities, to enjoy art in a structured, accessible way.
What makes Young Rembrandts truly special is witnessing the transformation in students who once thought they couldn’t draw. By nurturing individual development rather than emphasizing age or prior skill, the program encourages personal progress, fosters artistic confidence, and inspires a lifelong appreciation for creativity and the visual arts.
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We’d love to hear from and highlight your business! We are seeking member spotlight stories to include in our weekly newsletter!
Email your news to abby@chescochamber.org
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