By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

The Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce is commemorating 100 years of serving the local area. To celebrate, it is having a special dinner at the La Cañada Flintridge Country Club, 5500 Godbey Drive in La Cañada, on Oct. 18 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Serving the community for a century, the Chamber has experienced some definite highs and lows.

“The pandemic was definitely a time when, like many other organizations, we were not sure how we were going to get through it,” said Mavil Aghadjanian, executive director of the Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce. “Our annual fundraisers are typically what get us through the following year so when we could not host these fundraisers, like Oktoberfest, we were worried that we would not have the means to be able to support our mission any longer. Luckily, like time and time before, our community, business members and dignitaries all rose to the occasion and helped us out significantly. Without their financial and volunteer support … we would not have been able to reach this milestone today. I would also say, changing with the ‘times’ has proven to be challenging but with the support of our elected board we have managed to mold the Chamber to find its place in the ever-changing climate.”

The Chamber in many ways has put Montrose “on the map.” Its annual Oktoberfest, held last Saturday, brings thousands onto the avenue as does its annual Food & Brewfest.

“Our Annual Montrose Oktoberfest not only serves as a fundraiser for our organization but more importantly it provides a family fun time for our community to gather and remember why Montrose is so special,” said Aghadjanian. “All of this and we also support the businesses in the area with sponsorship opportunities. Many businesses on Honolulu Avenue have reported that Oktoberfest is always their busiest day of the year. Lastly, the memories shared at this event are ever-lasting. We’ve heard everything from businesses forming because of two partners meeting at Oktoberfest (Arin James LLC) and a local mother remembering going into labor at Oktoberfest and now returning every year with her son. Core memories are always had at this event while actively supporting and enriching the community, vitality and pride of Montrose. 

Over the years, the Chamber has retained its mission to “actively support and enrich the community, vitality and pride of Montrose, to help preserve the historic district and small town atmosphere, to promote economic stability and positive, productive relationships within Montrose and the surrounding communities.”

“When we have business members reach out to us about how much our effort has paid off for them it’s always the most rewarding,” said Aghadjanian. “Sometimes it takes longer for some to reap the benefits of being a member but it always proves to be fruitful. Also, [it’s very rewarding] when we see our business members catch the ‘community love’ bug. Some members join at a very busy time in their careers but will still make the effort to show up at our mixers and other events. When we see them show up again and again to support their new relationships within the community [it] is a wonderful feeling.”

A few tickets to the dinner are available by contacting the Chamber office at (818) 249-7171, Monday – Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. In addition to the dinner, local community members and businesses will be honored for their contributions to the area.

“The Montrose-Verdugo City Chamber of Commerce would like to thank every single community member for always supporting our efforts and believing in our mission,” said Aghadjanian. “We do this for them so to see them appreciate the wonder of Montrose and give back to it for 100 years now is truly magical. Keep Montrose in mind and keep shopping locally.”