As the Chamber leans into a broader regional focus, we feel strongly that owning and maintaining a building is no longer the best use of our members’ resources. We’d rather put our energy, and your dues, into programming, advocacy, and community presence: visiting member businesses, showing up at events, and connecting with towns across the region, rather than being tied to one location.

The sale will not affect our staffing, member services, or programming. Below are answers to the questions we expect to hear most. If yours isn’t here, please write to us and we’ll add it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will the Chamber still have an office in town?

Yes. We’re not going without a home base, we’re right-sizing it. The Chamber will move to a smaller Brattleboro office, and that office will be open to members and the public. What’s changing is how we spend our time: instead of primarily waiting for members to come to us, we’ll be spending more of it coming to you, visiting your business, showing up at your events, and helping members get to know each other. Our staffing, member services, and programming are not changing.

How can I reach the Chamber now?

We’re still at 180 Main Street until further notice. Our phone number and email stay the same: 802-254-4564 and info@brattleborochamber.org. Once our new office is selected, we’ll share the address here and in our member newsletter, and you’ll also be able to stop by during our regular office hours at the Downtown Brattleboro Alliance’s new space on High Street.

Will the new office be in Brattleboro?

Yes, it will be in Brattleboro. The location will be determined once the sale is finalized, and we’ll announce it as soon as we know. Until then, we’ll still be at 180 Main Street.

Aren’t you concerned about yet another building closing up shop in downtown Brattleboro?

We are, and we take it seriously. Windham Flowers, which occupies half of the building, will continue to operate in place. In choosing a buyer, we’ll prioritize those committed to an active, occupied presence that supports downtown vibrancy. We’ll share updates as the process moves forward.

What happens to the Chamber window?

The window display will continue to be a member benefit until a sale is finalized.

Who made the decision? How did it come about?

The Chamber has owned this building since the 1960s, when funding was abundant through providing health insurance (part of the typical Chamber business model at the time) and there were several staff members.

As funding and staffing has changed, and as the vast majority of travelers now get area information online, selling the building had been under discussion by the Chamber board for several years. As part of our strategic refocus on leaning into regional work, and having stabilized after Greg’s passing, the time finally became right.

Where will visitors get area information now?

We will continue to evolve to ensure our region and our members are discoverable — and today, that mostly means a robust digital presence. That said, we will still publish our popular annual printed regional guide and be available by phone, along with seeking out more fruitful ways to connect in person, such as representing the area at the Big E, which we returned to this year after a long hiatus. We were able to send 5 Chamber reps to the Big E to talk with potential visitors to the area, interacting with more people over 4 weeks than we would all year in our Main Street office!

While we still get a half-dozen folks a week who come by seeking maps, brochures, and restaurant recommendations, the vast majority of local and area visitors alike get their information online. The Chamber has increasingly focused on boosting our online presence, and the second largest line item in our budget after staffing is marketing. After completing a website rebuild in 2025, we continue to invest digitally, putting thousands of dollars each month into content and SEO for our website and for members’ individual listings, along with targeted search ads pointing to relevant member listings.

What does connecting with members more personally look like?

In short, it means coming to you. We’ll visit member businesses and spend time in the towns we serve, listening to what you need and getting to know you better. Being out in the community, rather than waiting for the community to come to us.

If you’d like us to stop by your business, let us know.

What towns are included in the Chamber’s service area?

We serve roughly 250 member businesses across Windham County, including Brattleboro, Putney, Dummerston, Guilford, Vernon, Marlboro, Newfane, Townshend, and the West River Valley, along with our New Hampshire neighbors across the river in Hinsdale and Chesterfield. Being out in the region is a big part of why we’re making this change.

Will the Chamber still host events?

Yes. The sale doesn’t affect our programming. You can still count on regular mixers, professional development events, legislative updates, and more.