Susan Kramer, a long time Douglas resident, was appointed Douglas Chamber of Commerce President on May 3.

Douglas Chamber of Commerce President Susan Kramer at her desk for Interiors by Decorating Den. Kramer wants to focus on the Shop Douglas First campaign. Trisha Maldonado/Douglas Dispatch

Kramer came to Douglas in 1981 and taught home economics at Ray Borane Middle School for 26 years. “When I was getting to retire I bought a company, Interiors by Decorating Den, “she said.

Interiors by Decorating Den is a full service in-home interior decorating in Cochise County. Kramer has been serving Douglas and Cochise County since 2006.

Most recently she has taken over the operations of Southwestern Carpets and Interiors.

“As a business owner I want to see Douglas come back as far as shopping, people feel they have to leave Douglas to shop but you pretty much can find everything you need here in town if you know where to shop,” she said.

Revitalizing the chamber of commerce and putting the focus on local businesses are some of her goals for her term. She feels that in the last few years the chamber has moved away from promoting businesses in Douglas and has focused more on other areas which have their place but a lot of people were not happy.

Kramer said, “We are trying to get back, we are trying to improve the image of the commerce and we are getting there…”

During her one year term she will be hitting hard on the “Shop Douglas First” campaign, and trying to get members back. The chamber currently has 35 members and is growing each day.

Kramer and the chamber board have been working with KDAP on the member of the week, membership includes radio advertising on KDAP as member of the week.

Presently the chamber is looking at their bylaws for improvements and ways to change things so that everything runs more smoothly.

“I’m happy to be chamber president, when I was a teacher I belonged to the Douglas Education Associate, now that I’m a business owner I want to be involved in the chamber because I feel like it’s kind of my obligation, kind of my duty, if I want my businesses to do well then I need to work toward that, by helping the other businesses in town as well, it’s a win, win situation,” Kramer said.