People do business with people they know. The Alhambra Chamber of Commerce makes it easy to meet new business contacts every month at its Business After Hours Mixers. These networking events attract 50-100 people who are ready to make new connections.

 

The next Business After Hours mixer will take place

 

 

The Alhambra Educational Foundation assists in the achievement of a superior public education system within the Alhambra Unified School District through fund raising activities, funding programs, projects, and equipment designed to benefit the children enrolled in its schools.

 

38º may be the best temperature for beer to be served. But in Alhambra, it may be the perfect place to get both beer and high quality food for a reasonable price. The 38º Ale House & Grill brings to the San Gabriel Valley 110 beers from around the world, served in just the right glasses to enhance their flavors. Peruse the menu, and you'll find craft beers with roots from Belgium to Ireland, from Hawaii to Delaware.

 

The cost for attending the mixer is $10 for members and $15 for non-members. For more information, phone the Chamber at 626-282-8481.

 

Both in business and life you only have one chance to create a first impression. That is why I enjoy being the first to welcome new businesses and visitors to Chamber functions.

Being a Chamber Ambassador has greatly helped me and my business to develop long term networking relationships with the business community. I truly believe that if you give back and help others then they in turn will help you.

The Chamber's Business to Business Breakfasts take place from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. the second Thursday of every other month at Almansor Court, 700 S. Almansor St., Alhambra. The next one will be offered on April 12. The cost is $5.

 

Let everyone know about your business. Bring some flyers and business cards. Time is allotted for everyone to say a few words.

 

For more information, phone Irma at 626-282-8481.

  

Alhambra Camera staff, from left: David Oswald, Bob and Laura Greenberg, and Laurie Marsh

For 75 years, Alhambra Camera / Snap n' Scrap, 121 E. Main St., has been in downtown Alhambra, experiencing all the dramatic changes on Main Street and in the photo industry but never managing to lose sight of the big picture.

 

"Never make a sale just for the sake of making it. Make sure it's the right thing for that person," said owner Bob Greenberg, reciting a favorite quote from his former boss, Max Bruensteiner. "That's one of the things we've done all these years, and we still stand by that statement."  

That philosophy has helped Alhambra Camera become one of oldest businesses on Main Street.

Bob and his wife, Laura, have been running the store since 1981. In 1997, the store began selling scrapbooking supplies and with the talents of David Oswald, offers in-store photo restoration services.

They say half of their customer base are the same customers from 10 years ago. But the Greenbergs do readily acknowledge how online and chain stores have put the squeeze on small specialty shops like theirs.  

"Our industry as a whole has diminished by more than 90% in the last 10 years, in terms of camera stores," said Bob. "But there are a lot of people who still say, "When I go buy something, I want to deal with a local store and deal with somebody who's going to help me if I have questions or a problem."  

Bob noted that a past study showed that for every $100 spent in locally owned independent stores, $68 returned to the community through taxes, payroll, and other spending. If a customer buys from a national chain, only $43 stays. If one buys on-line, nothing comes home.

Bob said the key to their business is helping customers find what they truly need and at discounted prices. He said if a person knows what they need and doesn't need any kind of help, then they should go purely for the lowest price. But if a person doesn't know what they need and tries to buy based on price only, often they end up with the wrong product or needing assistance that's either expensive or hard to find.

We have many people coming in frustrated with their digital cameras. They really need a place like ours."

 

Come meet the Alhambra Camera / Snap n' Scrap staff: Bob, Laura, David, and Laurie.