Marion Area Chamber of Commerce

10/13/2026

🏢 Opening a Brick + Mortar business? Before you unlock the doors, make sure you know what’s behind them!

If you could go back to the beginning of your Brick + Mortar journey, what’s the ONE thing you wish you had known before opening your doors? 🤔

Today’s Bagels & Business tackled the questions every business owner should be asking before taking that big step!

Doug Kaleb, Fire Prevention Inspector with the City of Marion Fire Department, and Eric Shawver, Chief Building Official with the Marion City Building Department, shared valuable insights into navigating the process, avoiding costly surprises, and knowing who needs to be on your team from the start.

📋 Where do you begin?
💰 What costs are often overlooked?
📍 How do you choose the right location?
📝 What approvals are needed?
🤝 And who should be on your team before you get started?

🎥 This video barely scratches the surface of the information shared! Take a listen to some of the audio, watch for key talking points throughout the video, and get a glimpse of the knowledge our presenters brought to the table.

Because opening your doors is exciting — but knowing what it takes to get there can make all the difference!

A big thank-you to our presenters and everyone who joined us for another opportunity to learn, connect, and build a stronger business community.

That’s Bagels & Business — bringing the right people together to help your business move forward.

Co-hosted with Connect Coworx

10/13/2026

👻 A little mother-daughter fun with a touch of Scooby-Doo magic! 🐾

This past Sunday, our Operations Manager, Kelly, and her daughter enjoyed a special mother-daughter outing at the historic Marion Palace Theatre for an afternoon of trick-or-treating, early Halloween costumes, and Scooby-Doo! 🎃

At the Marion Area Chamber of Commerce, we love being part of the community we serve! Whether we’re supporting our members, attending local events, or enjoying a family-friendly afternoon, we’re proud to help shine a spotlight on the businesses and organizations that make Marion a great place to live, work, and play.

Supporting our members. Celebrating our community. Progressing Together! 💚

10/12/2026

🍔Welcome to Marion, Culver's! We’re ready to butter you up!

The Marion Area Chamber of Commerce Ambassadors were excited to celebrate the arrival of Culver’s with a ribbon-cutting and a big welcome to our community!

From those famous ButterBurgers cooked to order to the fresh frozen custard, there’s a whole lot to smile about!

We’re thrilled to welcome another business to Marion and can’t wait to see our community show them some love. Here’s to new beginnings, great food, and plenty of hometown connections!

Help us give Culver’s a warm Marion welcome! 🍔

Let us know in the comments if you enjoyed a Butter Burger today or plan to this week.

Generations Realty
Verne Hart Insurance - Marion
Tri-Rivers Career Center
Park National Bank
Corbin Kantner - UIS Insurance & Investments
Tranquility Hospice and Palliative Care
Barb Bradley
Sluss Realty Co.
Coldwell Banker Real Estate Group
Buckeye Ridge Habitat for Humanity

10/12/2026

10/10/2026

Turning Awareness Into Action

Marion Area Chamber of Commerce President Heidi Jones recently served as a panelist at Turning Point’s Walk a Mile in Her Shoes event, sharing her personal perspective as part of an important conversation surrounding domestic violence.

Events like these remind us that awareness, education, and open conversations matter. By creating space for people to listen, learn, and better understand the challenges others may face, we can help build a stronger, more compassionate community.

Thank you to Turning Point for the important work you do to support individuals and families in our community, and to everyone who helps shine a light on an issue that deserves to be heard.

10/10/2026

A little friendly competition for a GREAT community cause!

Thursday evening, the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities brought the community together for its annual Celebrity Kickball event! This fun-filled evening brings local celebrities and community supporters onto the field to build connections, raise awareness, and celebrate the individuals and families served by the Board.

The Marion Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to support community events like this that bring people together for something meaningful. While our Chamber staff had multiple commitments that evening and couldn’t be everywhere at once, we still wanted to help share the fun and shine a spotlight on this valuable community event!

A special thank-you to the Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities for sharing some of their photos and to our Chamber Ambassador, Christy Neff, for capturing additional moments for us.

It takes a community to make a difference, and we’re proud to be part of one that shows up, gets involved, and supports one another!

Friends of Marion DD

10/09/2026

From kicking it on the field to calling the shots behind the mic! 🎤

Tonight, Marion Area Chamber President Heidi Jones returned to the Marion County Developmental Disabilities Celebrity Kickball event, but this time, she traded her celebrity kicker role (and that unforgettable Snoop Dogg look! 😎) for the emcee microphone!

We had to ask: Which did she enjoy more — playing the game or emceeing the fun? Her answer? Definitely emceeing! 🎤

Swipe to see Heidi then and now — from celebrity kickball star to tonight’s master of ceremonies!

One thing’s for sure: whether she’s kicking balls or keeping the crowd entertained, Heidi knows how to show up and have a great time!

Stay tuned for more hi-lites.
Friends of Marion DD

10/08/2026

Yesterday, our Chamber Ambassadors helped us celebrate a special milestone with a ribbon cutting for Bensen Fire & Safety Consulting

We’re excited to welcome them and celebrate their continued commitment. to serving our community. Congratulations here’s to what’s ahead!

Thank you to our Ambassadors for showing up, celebrating our members, and helping us keep connections strong. That’s what Progressing Together is all about! 🎉

Generations Realty
Habitat for Humanity
Tri-Rivers Career Center
Schmidt Total Protection
Verne Hart Insurance - Marion
Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities

10/06/2026

✂️ We’re celebrating growth with Mr. Fixall!

A big congratulations on their ribbon cutting as they expand and are now serving customers from TWO locations!

More locations, more ways to serve, and more opportunity to keep progressing together. Congratulations, Mr. Fixall!

Generations Realty
Tranquility Hospice and Palliative Care
Schmidt Total Protection

10/05/2026

Thinking about opening a brick-and-mortar location? Don’t sign the lease until you know what you’re getting into!

BAGELS & BUSINESS: DEMYSTIFYING THE PROCESS

What Every Business Owner Should Know Before Opening a Brick-and-Mortar

Thinking about opening a storefront, expanding into a new location, or turning your business idea into a physical space?

Before you sign the lease, start renovations, or order the sign, there are important steps you need to understand.

Join the Marion Area Chamber and Connect Coworx for a practical Bagels & Business conversation designed to help business owners better understand the process of opening a brick-and-mortar business.

We’ll hear directly from the professionals who help navigate the process:

Doug Kalb
Fire Prevention Inspector
Marion City Fire Department

Eric Shaver
Chief Building Official
City of Marion Department

They’ll help demystify the process and answer questions about what business owners should know *before* they open the doors.

Tuesday, October 13, 2026
8:00–9:15 AM
Location: Connect Coworx

Come with your questions, grab some bagels, and get the information you need to take the next step with confidence.

Because opening a business is exciting—finding out you missed an important step after you’ve signed the lease isn’t.

Bring your questions. Leave with a better understanding of the process.