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Why We Love Tillamook

Green pastures, tractor, log truck, restaurant, cows in Tillamook County Oregon

At the recent Tillamook Chamber Banquet, guest speaker Kaylan Sisco shared a story that many of us can relate to. He spoke about the early days of his career, attending banquets and fundraisers, feeling the passion in the room, but not always having the extra funds to participate in the “Raise Your Card” portion of the evening.

During his time on stage, Kaylan asked the audience for a different kind of contribution. He invited everyone to write down what they loved about Tillamook County on the back of their cards, even if they couldn’t donate. He wanted us to give something that made a lasting impact: our gratitude.

Reading through those cards was heartwarming. It served as a beautiful reminder of why we do what we do. We wanted to share some of the highlights with you because, honestly, we couldn’t agree more.

The recurring theme throughout almost every card was the people. There is a unique resilience here; no matter your background or your views, when times get hard, this community pulls together to help each other out.

“I love that Tillamook works hard to support its youth and empower them to succeed.”

Many of you also pointed to the intersection of our heritage and our daily lives, the way our industries shape our identity and our families.

“Tillamook is a great place to raise a family. Hunting, fishing, and the agriculture industry is amazing. The small-town feel and the love between neighbors is remarkable.”

“The people that make up the community and their backgrounds and diverse skills. Logging, farming, coastal living, and tourism. Tillamook is our Heaven on Earth.”

There’s a specific kind of magic in a place where a trip to the grocery store doubles as a social hour.

“I love Tillamook because you can’t go to the store without seeing/visiting with a friend. I love Tillamook because of its small-town devotion to community service; prime example: The entire community supports the Charity Drive.”

“Beautiful green pastures and wildlife.”

At the Tillamook Chamber, our mission is to see this community thrive, not just economically, but socially and culturally. Seeing the outpouring of love on the back of those cards reinforces why we are so proud to serve this area.

Tillamook isn’t just a collection of businesses or a scenic stop on Highway 101; it is a living, breathing ecosystem of support, tradition, and neighborly love. Whether you’ve lived here for generations or you’ve just moved here, you are part of what makes this community so special.

We are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by people who care so deeply. Thank you for sharing your heart with us and for making Tillamook a place we are all proud to call home.



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Tillamook Businesses Celebrate Major Sales Boost on Small Business Saturday

Written by: Meg Angier, Membership and Community Partnerships Manager

Downtown Tillamook was buzzing on Black Friday, and again on November 29th, as small businesses welcomed a steady stream of shoppers for the Tillamook Chamber’s annual Small Business Saturday event. From 10 am to 3 pm, the Chamber hosted a hot cocoa bar and raffles for participants who shopped downtown. For the past several years, shoppers have enjoyed an ornament hunt at participating businesses, receiving an ornament with each purchase, and this year, 15 locations joined in! Here is what some of our participants had to say:

At the Tillamook Coliseum Theatre, Sayde said they sold “enough gift cards for 117 movies,” a boost the owner described as especially meaningful during the final weeks of the year. “The cash-flow boost is helpful at the end of the year,” she said, noting that the event has remained “one of my favorite days of the year since I worked at the Chamber.” Madeline’s also saw ornaments fly off the counter almost immediately. With demand so high, staff quickly pivoted, offering a gift-with-purchase for the rest of their shoppers. The team said it was a “successful day with lots of locals that supported the store,” a reminder of the loyalty that keeps Tillamook’s small businesses thriving. Kimmels reported all ornaments were handed out as well, and staff proudly shared that “Packsaddle pellets are in!” — another reason customers had been eager to stop by. The Tillamook Feed Store summed up the sentiment felt by many participating shops: “The ornaments went quickly, and it was a fun day!”. We would like to thank everyone who participated in the ornament hunt, including:  Country Squire, Janes Fabric, Jeannie’s Salon, Kit and Caboodle, Lucky Bear, Nappa, ReCurrent, Sugar + Air, Sunflower Flats, Sweet Begonia’s, and West Elliott.

As noted in a recent Headlight Herald article, downtown events have increasingly become Tillamook’s new “anchor”, drawing people into the heart of town and strengthening the economic ecosystem around local businesses. This year’s Small Business Saturday proved that point once again, demonstrating how community-centered gatherings create both meaningful experiences and real economic impact for the businesses that define Tillamook’s character. If you missed out this year, you can continue to shop local every day, but be sure to mark your calendars for next year’s Small Business Saturday, November 28th, 2026 for a dedicated day of local shopping!

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Your Invitation to Small Business Saturday

Join Our Shop Small Adventure and Invest in the Spirit of Tillamook on November 29th.

With the Thanksgiving season quickly approaching, we find ourselves reflecting on what truly matters: community, connection, and gratitude. This time of year often encourages us to slow down, if only for a moment, and cherish the people and places that make Tillamook County so special.

Looking ahead to Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 29th, we think this is a great opportunity to turn our local appreciation into action and directly support the people and businesses that make Tillamook County tick.

We understand the allure of online convenience. Hopping onto your favorite shopping app, clicking a few times, and having a package delivered straight to your door, without ever having to leave your couch, can certainly have its perks. We’ve all done it. But we want to share the heart and soul behind our local small businesses and why it’s important to think local first.

A small, locally owned shop in Tillamook County is much more than just a place of commerce. It is someone’s dream, their passion, and their livelihood. Our family, friends, and neighbors pour their energy, time, and dedication into these endeavors every single day. There is so much effort and hope invested behind the scenes that we rarely ever see.

How often have we driven past a charming little shop off the highway, intending to stop but never quite making the time? This holiday season, we invite you to pause and explore. Take a moment to wander in and look around. You might just stumble upon a hidden treasure, a beautiful locket for your aunt, a nostalgic stuffed animal you know your granddaughter would adore, or a piece of local art that perfectly captures the beauty of our coast.

For us, shopping locally is about more than just knocking an item off a to-do list; it’s about slowing down to genuinely enjoy the sense of community and thoughtfulness that holiday gift giving embodies.

When you choose to spend your dollars right here in Tillamook County, you are directly investing in the community. Studies consistently show that for every dollar spent at a local small business, a significant portion (often up to 70% more) stays within the local community compared to shopping at national big box stores. Your purchase funds local services, our schools, and the dreams of our neighbors. It truly makes a difference.

We invite you to kick off the holiday spirit and join the fun with us on Small Business Saturday, November 29th! We have a wonderful day planned.

Start your day at the Tillamook Chamber HQ between 10 AM and 3 PM. Enjoy a complimentary hot cocoa donated by Tillamook Dutch Bros before setting off on your holiday shopping spree!

While you’re here, you can pick up a list of participating businesses that will be giving adorable ornaments to the first 12 shoppers to make a purchase, compliments of the Chamber. To keep the excitement going, bring your collected ornaments to the Chamber HQ by 5:00 PM on Monday, December 1st to be entered into a drawing for a fabulous gift basket, beautifully arranged by Ashley Christensen! Each ornament counts as one entry.

Plus, you have even more chances to win! Submit your receipts from any locally owned business for the Shop Small Sweepstakes; we are taking unlimited entries throughout the day on November 29th. This gives you a chance to win a gift basket worth $75 AND you’ll be entered into our Grand Prize drawing in early January for $1,000 in sweepstakes bucks! What a festive, memorable way to get your holiday shopping started!

This year, let’s choose to slow down, connect, and celebrate the incredible people and businesses that make Tillamook County our home. Your choice to shop local is more than just a purchase; it’s a profound investment in the vibrant heart of our community.

We can’t wait to see you on November 29th—let’s make this a Small Business Saturday to remember!

 

November Sip + Shop

Get ready for a fun evening of sipping, socializing, and supporting local businesses!
Join us for Sip + Shop on Friday, November 14th from 5 PM to 7 PM!
Start your night at the Chamber Headquarters! 🥂
We’ll treat you to a complimentary glass (past participants, please bring yours to reuse!) and your first delicious sip. Non-alcoholic options will be available.
We’ll also give you a list of all the participating businesses to guide your shopping adventure! We’ll see you there!