Staff Writer
CARIBOU — Officials with the Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce have said goodbye to their previous location in the downtown mall on Sweden Street and hello to their new historic home at the Nylander Museum.
According to CACC Director Jenny Coon, the move represents the best of both worlds for both the chamber and the museum.
“The two really go hand in hand,” she explained. “As a Chamber we represent the area’s businesses, but we’re also like a tour guide for the community.”
Chamber officials have also speculated that the move will increase foot traffic to the Nylander Museum of Natural History, which showcases the work of Olof Nylander and natural history of the Northeast.
Coon also said that the move will also mean cost-savings for the town.
“We get to work in this beautiful building that the city already owned,” she said, gesturing to the fireplace and features of the museum’s main entry room. Many improvements have already been made to the facility, but a bit more work is still scheduled to be done until the upgrades are finalized.
Officials with the Caribou Public Works Department, representatives of the chamber board, dedicated volunteers — even the City Manager, Steve Buck — helped Coon and the chamber settle into their new space. The move started on July 26 and took about a week to complete.
The ceremonious grand opening of the new chamber location will likely be held mid-August (right around the Caribou Cares about Kids Festival) but the Nylander’s door are already open from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday for anyone seeking services of the CACC.
The building’s signage may not currently reflect the co-habitation of the two groups, but the Nylander’s the right place to go whether you’re looking for a map of area ATV trails or a copy of the Caribou Cares about Kids schedule. (Schedules can also be obtained by visiting www.cariboumaine.net).
The Caribou Area Chamber of Commerce and the Nylander Museum of Natural History can both be found at 657 Main Street. The Nylander exhibits are currently closed during the transitional move and hours have yet to be reestablished.
While the Chamber may have a new address, their phone number has stayed the same; additional information regarding the chamber can be obtained by calling 493-4233.
