ROBERTSDALE, Ala. — Watching Marian Mason, the executive director of the Central Baldwin Chamber of Commerce stroll through the Chamber’s new building, it’s clear that she can see every stick of furniture, every painting, information rack and brochure in its place.

But, Mason points out that the new office will be more to the area.

“We are also going to be an official state tourist information site,” said Mason, indicating one of the two front offices already equipped with a sliding window to the lobby of the new building.

“We will have a volunteer in one office and Jamie (Mangion, chamber director of operations) will be in the other,” said Mason. “This will put the Central Baldwin Chamber on the map. This is an accessible, visible location. It will raise our presence in the area.”

If all goes well, the Chamber will be moving into its new offices from their current offices on Highway 59 this Saturday, April 4. Members of the Chamber’s Board of Directors will be doing the moving.

“We will be here, open for business, on Monday (April 6),” said Mason, who added a “grand opening” celebration was tentatively scheduled for April 30. The Chamber’s normal office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Chamber’s phone number is 947-5932.

“This will be the first Chamber people see when they exit I-10,” said Mason.

That, coupled with the tourist information center, Mason believes, will give area businesses a chance to catch the eye of newcomers to the area, which hopefully will lead to more business growth.

“This is going to be a place where people can get local information, information on local businesses. That can lead to a sale or a deal.”

Of course to do that, volunteers will be needed.

“We are looking for volunteers,” said Mason. “They will meet and greet visitors, assist us with projects, answer the phones and distribute information.”

Besides the Chamber, other organizations will be able to use the facilities, which were built by the City of Robertsdale at an approximate cost of $450,000.

“The Central Baldwin Education foundation will be meeting here,” said Mason, indicating a 15 by 24 conference room in the center of the building. The new building also boasts a fair-sized kitchen, which Mason hopes businesses without kitchen facilities will use to host their own “Business After Hours” functions.

“Or we may have different events here,” said Mason, adding that she expects SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) will be meeting her and we hope the Women’s Business Center from Mobile will meet here, too.”

The new building also boasts a computer room and a workroom with lots of counter space around the office's copier and printer to prepare projects. Upstairs, there’s an unfinished space that Mason thinks will be used for storage right now, but can easily be converted to office space if needed.

And while the Chamber will bring much of their furniture with them, they have also received a donation of handsome office furniture from Regions Bank in Fairhope.

The new office is the Chamber’s third home sine it was founded in 1975.

“Dennis Stastka has been talking about this for years, and Nelson Wingo was involved as well,” said Mason, who also wanted to thank Robertsdale’s Mayor and City Council for their help.

“Without them, we wouldn’t have this building,” said Mason, who was quick to add that her praise was not meant to “denigrate” the other communities that support the Chamber.

“We love their support and appreciate them,” said Mason.

She can’t wait to take some of the surviving members of the Chamber’s founders for a tour.

“They haven’t seen the building yet,” said Mason.

And while excited to move into the new office, Mason had some nostalgia for the old office.

“Wayne Gruenloh has ben our landlord for 10 years. He has ben great, a true Chamber member and we are most appreciative. We are going to miss them.”