Abed Aryan, pharmacist at the Medicine Shoppe, cuts the ribbon during an East Lee County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting event Friday. Next to Tucker is County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass.

When a local business joins the Chamber of Commerce, the occasion is often celebrated with a ribbon-cutting ceremony which also serves as an invitation to prospective buyers or clients.

Unfortunately, and this has been particularly so for the East Lee County Chamber of Commerce for the past two years, COVID has prevented many celebrations of any kind.

The custom, though, is coming back and, on Friday, with Lee County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass, the Chamber restarted its ribbon-cutting events by doing so at three local businesses.

The Chamber visited Millennium Physician Group at 60 Westminster St., The Medicine Shoppe at 57 Homestead Road, and ValAir, at 226 Homestead Road to welcome them to the Chamber.

Michael Welch, chairman and chief operating officer of the Chamber, said he was happy to bring this event back after two years.

Luis Hernandez, owner of ValAir, cuts the ribbon during an East Lee County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting event Friday. Next to Tucker is County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass.

“We used to do them throughout the year, but for two years we haven’t been able to have them,” Welch said. “Mr. Pendergrass is an active member of our Chamber and represents the people of Lee County and we thought it would be good if he did the ribbon cuttings.”

Pendergrass said he was there to support the community and keep Lehigh residents in Lehigh when it comes to seeking services.

“We’re here to recognize what the chamber does here in Lehigh Acres. The Chamber represents the businesses here, and they’re expanding and moving here,” Pendergrass said. “We want people to know they can stay in Lehigh for services. We have a transportation issue in Lee County and we can reduce that need by not having people go across the county for services.”

Among those being honored was Michael Tucker, of Millennium Physician Group, who has provided medical services for Lehigh Acres residents for more than 30 years. Welch was effusive in his praise of the doctor.

“He is a legend. He is one of our unheralded heroes as a general practice doctor during the pandemic. He’s on the front lines more than any specialist. If you want to understand Lehigh Acres and its people, he’s at the top of the list of who to see,” Welch said.

Michael Tucker, of Millennium Physicians Group, cuts the ribbon during an East Lee County Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting event Friday. Next to Tucker is County Commissioner Cecil Pendergrass.

Tucker said he was with the Chamber years ago before joining other groups.

“I wanted to get back in the Chamber, so I talked to Millennium and told them we’ve been here 32 years and wanted to join it again,” Tucker said. “It’s great for Lehigh to get highlighted for something good for a change.”

Abed Aryan, pharmacist at the Medicine Shoppe, said after being in the area for 20 years, it was great for the Chamber to recognize them, especially since they just rejoined after being out of it for a little while.

“We’ve been here a long time serving this community. We have a very loyal clientele. We were in it for a long time, but for the past year we dropped it for some reason,” Aryan said. “The Chamber gives us the exposure we need to keep us competitive with the larger stores. People who come here will get as good, if not better, service than at a big store.”

Luis Hernandez, owner of ValAir, said they were supposed to hold the ribbon cutting last year after joining the Chamber, but it was called off by COVID.

“I like Lehigh, I like helping people and I like what I do. They help businesses and let you meet other companies, which is why I joined,” Hernandez said.