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Politics & Government

Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce to Get a New Home

After years of using a small office near the outer parts of the city, it will take up residence at the new City Hall on Nov.1.

After almost 30 years, the is getting new digs, on Nov. 1.

It will move from its current location at 28062 Forbes Rd. into 1,040 square-feet of brand-new office space in the newly built City Hall. It has been in the 1,000-sqaure-foot location for 4 years.

The chamber is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1982 with a focus on bringing commerce and business to Laguna Niguel. 

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“We’ll be next to places where businesses have to get permits,” said Debbie Newman, president and CEO of the chamber. “We were the city’s preferred tenants for the space.”

In fact, the chamber is the only outside business to lease and operate at City Hall. There is a separate entrance for visitors to the chamber offices from the outside.

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“The space includes our own restrooms and a small kitchen area for us,” said Newman. “In the back, there is a large clear area for a conference table, and the room can fit about 16 people.”

The room will also be used for meetings by chamber officers, board members and the president.

The chamber’s three-year lease begins Nov. 1 with a monthly rent of $1,820 ($1.75 per square foot). The move is expected to generate $14,560 in revenue for the city in the first fiscal year and around $22,000-$23,000 every year after.

“The city will be our new landlord,” said Newman. 

Besides being the chamber’s landlord, according to the chamber’s website, the city is also its sole sponsor at the "diamond" level.

“The lease has been approved and signed by the city and chamber, and the chamber has paid its first month rent and security deposit,” said City Manager Tim Casey.  “Chamber staff and board members were here last Saturday moving in some office furniture, supplies and equipment.”

So why were chamber board members moving things in last week when they still have a few weeks to go before officially taking the space?

“We were staging the office to make it presentable for City Hall's grand opening [Oct. 15],” said Newman. “We moved all of our displays, hung plaques, artwork and placed a few desks and filing cabinets into the office.” 

The move took five hours, but, according to Newman, this initial move will make the rest easier.

To celebrate its new location and to promote holiday shopping within Laguna Niguel, the chamber will run a raffle from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31. 

“People just need to shop in Laguna Niguel and turn in their receipts to get a raffle ticket,” said Newman, who conceived the idea. 

More than $1,000 in gift cards to local businesses will be awarded to raffle winners in January.

“The city of Laguna Niguel and the Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce have enjoyed an excellent working relationship for many years,” said Casey.  “We’re pleased to welcome them to the   It’s a great location for the chamber to serve the local business community.”

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