The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce is moving mid-November, but is staying close, with a new office in North Windham.

Aimee Senatore, executive director of the chamber, announced Oct. 19 plans to move from 747 Roosevelt Trail to 909 Roosevelt Trail, closer to the Raymond town line.

The chamber will be fully operating and open to the public in the new office by Monday, Nov. 21. It will be closed to walk-in traffic the week of Nov. 15, but will continue regularly scheduled business and will respond to calls and email during that time, Senatore said.

A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 8:30 a.m.

The chamber of commerce has operated out of a one-story building at the intersection of Route 35/115 and Route 302 since 2008. The 900-square-foot building formerly housed a barbershop.

The Chamber of Commerce leased the office space from Cross Insurance Agency, which operates at 745 Roosevelt Trail. The agency still owns the building and has no tenants lined up to move in, according to Laurie Noel of Cross Financial Corporation.

Cross Insurance notified the chamber in mid-September that it had until March 1 to vacate the building.

The chamber will share its new location, adjacent to the intersection of Anglers and Whites Bridge Road, with Re/Max Allied Real Estate Leaders. The real estate company owns the building and operates on the second floor. The chamber’s offices will be located in suite “A” on the first floor, accessible through the entrance door to the right, Senatore said.

The Chamber’s phone and fax numbers, primary mailing address and office hours will remain the same.

The new space will benefit the chamber in a number of ways, according to Senatore. While the size of the office space is roughly the same as their previous location, the new building is laid out differently.

The 909 Roosevelt Trail location has a conference room, she said, and the previous location did not.

“We are excited for this opportunity and convenience,” Senatore said, adding that the conference room would fit 10-12 people comfortably. It also has a lobby, two offices and a bathroom, she said.

The new building is also easier to access than the previous space off Route 302, thanks to a semi-circle parking area, she said.

The only downside of the move, Senatore said, is the loss of the chamber’s letter board, which was prominently displayed on Route 302 and advertised chamber events to the public. Senatore said the Chamber will use a digital sign outside the new office for the same purpose.

The chamber of commerce is staffed by two part-time employees – Senatore and Robin Mullins, office manager – dedicated to promoting business and tourism in 10 Lakes Region towns, including Windham.

The chamber also serves Casco, Gray, Limerick, Limington, Naples, New Gloucester, Raymond, Sebago and Standish.

Senatore said the chamber is  “lucky to have found a space as quickly as we did and to have the opportunity to move in before the winter weather.” Volunteers  will assist in packing and helping with the transition to the new space.

The chamber’s next monthly business break will be held Thursday, Nov. 10, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Franco’s Bistro, just down the street from its new digs. It has scheduled its annual meeting for Jan. 5 from 4:30-8 p.m. at Camp Sunshine in Casco.

The Sebago Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce is moving from their location in the center of North Windham, to 909 Roosevelt Trail, above. They will share the space with Re/Max Allied, who owns the building. 

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