Story and Photos by Joseph Sapia
ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS – The Atlantic Highlands Chamber of Commerce is now doing business at a new address, one which provides more visibility and easier access in the downtown.
“The office we had was on the second floor,” said Cindy Fligor, the chamber president, recalling what had been the chamber office – above the Atlantic Cinema 5 at 82 First Ave. – until February.
At that time, the chamber moved to a ground-floor location at 68 First Avenue, just two blocks away. “We moved to street level for easy visibility, access,” said chamber administrator Mary Thompson. “To be more neighborhood friendly,” added Fligor, president since January. “We have a lot of visitors from the harbor, transient boats.”
While the move was made in February, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held April 24.
The office is open 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. From Memorial Day Weekend to Labor Day Weekend, the traditional beginning and end of the summer season, the office will be open Saturdays. Those hours are yet to be established.
The chamber office has brochures, business cards, menus and business directories. “We’re a font of information,” Thompson said.
The chamber has access to a conference room and extra space provided by their landlords, Mickey and Fred Rast, owners of the Atlantic Cinema 5. The Rasts also were the landlords at the previous location.
Work continues on the new chamber location. For example, an awning was to be added above the doorway.
The chamber has about 150 members, representing such businesses as retail, eateries, real estate, financial, professional services and contracting.
Fligor owns Salon at 68, a unisex salon next door to the chamber office, but at the same address. She replaced Chuck Lero, a mortgage officer who served as chamber president for five years. Fligor is married to Borough Councilman Lou Fligor.
