Chamber honors businesses during annual dinner
Published 1:30 am Friday, October 31, 2025
The connection between community and business was a focal point of the Orcas Chamber’s annual dinner.
“‘We Are Orcas” is the theme and it will be the emphasis for the chamber going forward, but especially our work in the coming months as we lay the foundations for building a culture around supporting our local businesses, service providers, member organizations, artists and tradespeople,” said Executive Director Carey Eskridge.
Around 100 people attended the Oct. 25 dinner at the Odd Fellows, where business owners mingled, met new friends, ate dishes from the Lone Pine Larder and listened to a short presentation from Eskridge. He also debuted a short film about the island created by the chamber and Orcas Video.
“We will be sharing it with the entire community as we spread the message about the importance and impact to the community of keeping our money local,” Eskridge said.
Chamber award recipients
The Shine: The Market Garden
Community Builder: Orcas Island Community Foundation
Off-Season Champion of the Year: The Lower Tavern
Newcomer of the Year: Dragonfly Coffee House
Vital Service Provider: Erica Bee of Footcare with a Heart
Excellence in Sustainability: Rainshadow Consulting
The President’s Award went to Island Market for its promotion of local vendors. As of October 2025, island businesses featured in the store are: Local Goods, San Juan Sea Salt, Inspired Earth Tea, Lum Farm, Island Thyme, Orcas Isle Cider, The Bubblery, Tekla Farms, Girl Meets Dirt, Orcas Winery, Orcas Wine Co., Island Hoppin, Orcas Island Distillery, The Orcas Project Wine, Orcas Bakery, Magic Island Herbals, Print Shop, Mermaid Botanicals, Landsea Gomasio, Judd Cove Oysters and Lopez Island Coffee.
“The Orcas Chamber is at its core a service organization: first, serving our members and then, by extension, our entire community. It has always been about more than just commerce, because our businesses — you — represent the heartbeat of the island,” Eskridge said. “We’ve all heard the importance of keeping our money in a small local economy, but it’s especially powerful on Orcas. Our local businesses make donations to social safety net organizations, participate in school extra-curricular activities and fundraisers, and sponsor community events throughout the year. Supporting local really is about building community.”
