Destination Cloverdale is moving to Main Street full time.
Long-running office roommates and tourism marketing partners, the Cloverdale District Chamber of Commerce and the Cloverdale Business Improvement Association are preparing to move from their current digs upstairs at 17687 56A Avenue.
“We’ve given notice we’re going,” says Paul Orazietti, executive director of the BIA.
Both the BIA and the chamber are moving into the new location – the 5748 176 Street storefront that’s home to the Destination Cloverdale office.
“We’ll be easy to find,” Orazietti says. “More than likely, we’ll be doing a better job of promoting tourism. We’ll be more accessible.”
Orazietti expects both he and Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bill Reid will be needing volunteers to help work the front desk.
The main rationale behind the two-block move is the promise of lower rent.
“We’re renting an office that’s larger and half the price” of their current location, Orazietti said.
The two organizations are frequent collaborators on putting on some of Cloverdale’s best-known community events, such as last weekend’s fifth annual Surrey’s Santa Parade of Lights, the Cloverdale Blueberry Festival, the Cloverdale Rodeo Parade and Rodeo Week.
The chamber and BIA also collaborate on year-round projects such as downtown beautification and long-term planning.
The BIA currently represents about 280 local businesses.
The Cloverdale Chamber of Commerce represents hundreds of local small and medium-sized businesses, describing itself as a voice for business and professional people in Cloverdale by liaising with the city of Surrey, and participating on various committees.