Brooklyn biz networking event brings community together where wine is, well, therapy

March 8, 2024 Wayne Daren Schneiderman

Randy Peers and Angela Terry.
Brooklyn Eagle Photo John McCarten

Full slideshow below

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT — The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce (BCC) held its monthly “Business After Hours” networking event at Therapy Wine Bar on Malcolm X Boulevard last week.

The intimate establishment brought in a decent crowd, as dozens of BCC members and prospective members put their best foot forward — exchanging smiles, pleasantries, and business cards — making the most of a great networking opportunity.

“The goal of Business After Hours is to meet and make connections with other members, non-members, associate with and support local businesses — and just have fun,” Kathie Lee, BCC’s executive vice president and chief legal officer, explained. “Tonight it’s about Therapy Wine Bar!”

From left: Blake Scotland, VP of Special Events; Anastasia Koshik, Director Of Marketing And Communications at BCC; and Randy Peers, BCC’s President and CEO.<br />Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Arthur De Gaeta — From left: Blake Scotland, VP of Special Events; Anastasia Koshik, Director Of Marketing And Communications at BCC; and Randy Peers, BCC’s President and CEO.
Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Arthur De Gaeta

Randy Peers, BCC’s president and CEO, noted that one of the main things that a chamber does is promotion.

“We want to talk about our members and tell the story of our members so that they can get more exposure, sell more products and services — and, in this case, get more people to visit Therapy Wine Bar, which has become such an important part of this community,” Peers said, adding that “If you come here on a Sunday after church, it’s standing room only.

BCC members.Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Arthur De Gaeta — BCC members.
Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Arthur De Gaeta

“The bar also has an amazing owner who is a visionary and is super hard working; I have so much respect for her.”

Angela Terry, owner of Therapy, told her audience that she is excited to be here and thrilled to have Business after Hours in her establishment.

“I hope to continue to open our doors to everyone so that they receive the proper … ‘therapy!’” Terry quipped.

“You never know where the next opportunity lies,” Lee pointed out, noting that Business After Hours is also a great opportunity for those thinking about becoming Chamber members to get their feet wet.

Serving it up at Therapy Wine Bar.Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Arthur De Gaeta — Serving it up at Therapy Wine Bar.
Brooklyn Eagle Photo by Arthur De Gaeta

“It’s a chance to bond and get to know the Brooklyn Chamber,” she said.

“You may get emails from us, but this is a way of associating a name with a face and also to get feedback on the Brooklyn economy and Brooklyn businesses.”

The next Business After Hours event is slated to take place at the end of March.

For more than 100 years, the BCC has spoken to the needs of the Brooklyn business community. It has developed and nurtured an active civic spirit and sought to safeguard and improve living conditions and social welfare for local businesses and residents.

The organization has a vibrant history that encapsulates the diverse, innovative, and ever-evolving Brooklyn business community.