Rash of small businesses open in Ferndale

A new slew of small businesses are opening in downtown Ferndale this spring, a high number even for a community almost entirely made up of small businesses.

The Ferndale Chamber of Commerce is welcoming about 14 new openings
in the coming months. And a large majority of that baker's dozen are opening their doors in or near downtown, with the rest mostly going into the industrial area or along Hilton Street.

"There are a variety of reasons they come here - like affordable rental rates and Ferndale's central location," says Jennifer Roosenberg, executive director of Ferndale Chamber of Commerce. "There are also a lot of support systems here."

A vast majority of Ferndale's establishments can be classified as small businesses, meaning 500 employees or less. Roosenberg couldn't think of any chamber members that exceed that limit, adding that rapidly growing salsa maker Garden Fresh Gourmet could be hitting that mark soon if it hasn't already.

Source: Jennifer Roosenberg, executive director of Ferndale Chamber of Commerce
Writer: Jon Zemke
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