CAPE CHAMBER IN SEARCH OF NEW HOME

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, which has been located at 601 N. Kingshighway the past 20 years, is looking for a new home.

"The chamber building has been sold," said Ollie Miller, chairman of the chamber's board. "We received an unsolicited offer for the building, and, following some long discussions, the board decided to accept the offer."

Miller announced the sale during the chamber's First Friday Coffee held at Drury Lodge Friday morning.

"We have negotiated a lease agreement with the new owners for up to two years," said Miller. "But, we can also move from the building on a two-month notice."

The closing date for the transaction is Nov. 15, and chamber officials decline to identify the selling price or buyer at this time.

A new office location, election of officers, preparation of a new budget and other items are among matters to be discussed during a one-day board retreat Nov. 18 at Lone Star Industries Natatorium.

Miller added anyone having any thoughts on a possible site should contact the chamber office.

The Chamber of Commerce moved to its North Kingshighway location in November 1974, from a building at 225 Broadway in downtown Cape Girardeau.

The idea of a new chamber facility emerged two years ago during the chamber's annual retreat. Chamber officials cited a need for additional space and more parking.

The idea was placed on the back burner during the 1993 retreat, due to the loss of revenue from the license bureau, which was previously operated by the chamber, and the loss of the Convention and Visitors Bureau, which moved to a new office at 1707 Mt. Auburn Road.

"The facility at its present location has served the chamber well," said John Mehner, president of the chamber. "But we're running of space. We need new facilities." The chamber offices, which housed a Cape Girardeau physician's office until 1974, has about 2,800 square feet. "We need at least 4,000 square feet."

A new location will be only the fourth for the Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce since it was founded in 1920. The chamber met in the Elks Building it first eight years of existence before settling in at 225 Broadway in 1928.