Hello and welcome to 2026! As we celebrate this historic year during our nation’s semi-quincentennial, we embrace our official theme, “Rooted in History, Ready for Tomorrow,” Celebrating 250 years of business growth and the American spirit. This year is not only a commemorative milestone for our country but also marks the 110th anniversary of the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce. We are incredibly fortunate to be part of these dual milestones, and I am honored and excited to serve as your 2026 Board President. I am constantly humbled by the leaders who came before me and paved the way for our community’s success. While our history is strong and storied, we are looking forward to a great lineup of events planned for the first quarter that ensure we are prepared for the future.
January begins with a high-impact meeting on the 21st at 7:30 am, with Breakfast with the Commissioners. This event will take place at a new location, Gateway Church in Parkesburg, which offers an intimate setting to hear from and ask questions of our three commissioners. On February 10th at 5:00 p.m., we will return to the Coatesville Country Club for our annual Member Extravaganza. This is a perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends or meet new ones; notably, if you invite a friend who signs up for membership, both you and the new member will receive a free ticket to the Gala on the Greene in May. During this event, we will also celebrate our “Small Business of the Year,” The Golf Zone. As we move into March, we will host a Legislative Roundtable at the Honey Brook Library. This serves as a vital opportunity to get to know the individuals representing us in Harrisburg. There is a saying “get into politics or get out of business,” and I believe anyone concerned with their business and community needs to stay aware of the issues affecting our daily lives.
To share a little about myself, I grew up in the Coatesville area, graduated from the local school district, and attended the Temple School of Pharmacy. I currently live in West Caln with my husband, Shane, and have three grown children who are now making their way in the world. For the past 38 years, I have owned Quik-Stop Pharmacy in Thorndale, where we have proudly serve our community. Through this experience, I have learned firsthand the struggles of owning a small business and deeply appreciate the challenges our residents and owners face. Given the limited resources of a small business, I rely heavily on the expertise offered by the Chamber, finding it an invaluable tool for remaining competitive. I hope each of you makes an effort to maximize the value of your membership by attending events, making connections, and learning more about the area where you live, work, and play.
The Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce is an amazing resource for growing your business and staying involved in the community. I strongly encourage everyone to join a committee, as it is the best way to gain an appreciation for what happens behind the scenes, share your creative ideas, and utilize a valuable networking tool. I am proud to live in this beautiful part of the county, which offers expansive open spaces, parks, farmlands, dining, and shopping. Most of all, I am proud of the energetic and dedicated people in our region who give so tirelessly of their time and energy to keep us growing and our future bright. By remaining rooted in history and staying ready for tomorrow, we will continue to thrive together.
Sincerely,
Alissa Griffith, Quik-Stop Pharmacy
