When Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce President Chris Heugel and his board of directors decided earlier this year to venture out in search of new office space to call their own, there was some concern about push-back or repercussions from some of the members, but there was virtually no evidence of any such feeling today as dozens of members ventured to their new space for an Open House event to showcase the amenities in the house.
The Chamber was essentially forced into making a decision regarding new digs when their landlords at Cornerstone Alliance ended up selling the building where both were anchored to make way for the new Mosaic Resale Shop at the corner of Pipestone & Wall Streets in downtown Benton Harbor.
Following considerable debate regarding options to follow Cornerstone Alliance to new space on Main Street or seek a space of their own, the board elected to buy condominium-style office space in the Horizon Bank Building at 811 Ship Street in St. Joseph. If today’s broad smiles, approving nods and “wow” comments are any indication, the move has clearly garnered the support of the membership.
Heugel walked me through the third-floor suite of offices and conference rooms and pointed with great pride to the capabilities they now have thanks to the new office in the heart of the business district in St. Joe.
The 3,000 square foot suite features a small lobby and reception center where member brochures and other collateral materials are displayed for visitors in search of information. That lobby leads to the main space where the reception window and front office for Patricia Flourry flow to a small series of individual “incubation stations” that will soon be available for lease by the day, week, month or longer for those members in need of a physical space but don’t otherwise have a public access point.
Heugel’s office overlooks the Berrien County Courthouse, and his right hand, Patricia Muellen overlooks the parking lot and riverfront condos beyond. Two conference rooms are both available for use, free of charge, by any member in good standing wishing to reserve them for special meetings and such. The large conference room includes a smartboard display that can be used for taking notes, displaying documents, online videos or anything else that a computer input can provide to it. The smaller conference room overlooks the 800 Centre owned by Elden Butzbaugh, Jr. and Ship Street. A third business office, currently used by partner organizations such as SCORE and others, can also be used by members to conduct business in a pinch. A small kitchenette rounds out the complement of offices and common area rest rooms are right outside the front door to the place.
The offices are tastefully appointed and strategically situated at the heart of the business district, and Heugel says things are going, “Better than we anticipated. Our walk-in business has increased dramatically, and we’re so convenient to get to for members and visitors alike.” He adds, “Parking is not an issue, and we feel like we’re right in the hub of the business district.”
Regarding today’s open house, Heugel, Muellen and Flourry were all delighted at the reactions from members stopping by. Heugel says, “Some people were skeptical when they heard we would be on the third floor, but once they see the space, it all comes together and makes great business sense, and they are impressed.”
Heugel and Muellen are especially happy to have found space that is so close to a majority of the organization’s membership. Heugel says, “Everything seems to be within walking distance, not only for me to go to my appointments, but for people to come and do business with us, it’s great.”
The 3,000 square foot space cost the Chamber a $70,000 investment, and they now own it and are debt-free, no mortgage to carry, and operating efficiently. Every other tenant in the three-story building is also a member of the Cornerstone Chamber, and they have welcomed the Chamber team with open arms as well. Heugel calls it, “A good place to be and I think we spent our member’s money wisely.”
The Chamber was located for a number of years along Riverview Drive in the 777 Riverview complex before moving to quarters long the former Benton Harbor ship canal, and then on to the Vincent Place in downtown Benton Harbor before moving more than 20 years ago to the former Benton Harbor State Bank Building at Five Corners with Cornerstone Alliance.
Relocation to the Ship Street address took place back at the beginning of June and the new Chamber offices have turned out great. As Heugel says, “I think everything worked out the way it was supposed to for us, for our partners at Cornerstone Alliance, as well as Mosaic, everything worked out for everybody.” So far, looks like the membership concurs wholeheartedly.
Mosaic Resale meanwhile has settled into the former Chamber space, while Cornerstone Alliance continues the build out of space up on Main Street, and resident currently across West Wall Street from their own former offices while that work continues.
