Moving Out: Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce Relocating HQ

The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Chamber of Commerce is moving its headquarters.

Board members said during a Thursday lunch the chamber isn’t going far—to the Water Street corner formerly occupied by Nygards—and that its also bringing a few local nonprofits with it.

Operations for the Minnehaha Steamboat and Excelsior Street Car will also be located inside the new office. Chamber leaders say they want the space to serve as a sort of visitor’s center and be open to the public for a range of uses.

 “We hope to staff a desk with a volunteer on weekends,” said Betty Sorenson, owner of Petunia's in Excelsior and the chamber board member who officially announced the news at Thursday’s lunch. “We would be able to sell tickets for the trolley, tickets for the steam boat and perhaps have a little bit of retail with the books from the historical society.”

Beacon Bank helped guide the chamber through the move.

“It should be happening pretty quickly—probably within the next month,” Sorenson said.

Lake Minnetonka Patch will have additional updates to this story in the coming days. What do you think about the chamber's move? Tell us in the comments sections.

Related news:

• Fourth of July 2013 will look a little different this year due, in part, to the Minnesota Orchestra’s continuing contract difficulties. The orchestra will not perform at the summer’s biggest city celebration. The Wolverines—who are touring as part of their 40th year together—will headline this year’s festivities.
• The owner of a pedicab company given permission to operate this summer said plans are for a maximum of eight pedicabs in Excelsior at peak times. Fares for rides were classified as “soft” and could range from a small tip to a negotiated price for distances of a mile or more. Several companies—including Jake O’ Connor’s—have bought advertising on the cabs (photo attached).