MASSENA -- Local business owners are invited to join the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce for a Virtual Viewing Party on Wednesday, May 8 from 8-10:30 a.m. at The Shop Around the Corner, 32 Andrews St.

The viewing will be a live stream of the  workshop “Preparing to Sell Your Business,” presented by the North Country Center for Businesses in Transition taking place at the Hotel Saranac.

Businesses who are unable to make the in-person workshop are encouraged to attend the Virtual Viewing.

Registration can be made by calling the Chamber at 315-386-4000 or emailing Mike@slcchamber.org.

The in-person workshop and Virtual Viewing in Massena are both free and open to the public.

The workshop features invited panelists who will share their experiences with selling a business, taking over an existing enterprise or supporting small businesses through ownership transitions.

Panelists include Keith Braun, transitioning new owner of Mac’s Canoe Livery & Outfitter in Lake Clear; Brian McDonnell, the owner of Mac’s Canoe Livery & Outfitter in Lake Clear, Bill Walton, transitioning new owner of Cascade Inn in Lake Placid and Christopher Beebe of The Pines Restaurant in Malone.

The workshop will also include a presentation by certified business advisor Angela Smith of the SUNY Canton Small Business Development Center at Clinton Community College and Forrest Edwards, Senior Accountant for Alexander Edwards and Company, CPAs, P.C. about strategies for attracting the right buyer for maximum value.

This portion of the workshop is designed for business owners planning to retire in the next five years. The presentation will focus on the sales cycle for local businesses, business valuation, tax considerations and legal documents required for business sales.

“In St. Lawrence County, we have witnessed a number of our favorite local businesses close their doors due to the absence of a new owner or transition strategy,” said Mike Besaw, assistant director of the St. Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce. “The Center for Businesses in Transition was formed to provide useful tools, including workshops and networking opportunities to ensure businesses have their transition strategy in place 3-5 years before retirement."