The Manteca Chamber of Commerce is positioning itself to continue being an effective advocate for local businesses and tourism as it prepares to start its second hundred years.
The chamber, which is marking its 100th anniversary in June, has purchased its first building in its history.
The location is at 629 Yosemite Avenue in a building that for years housed Bob’s Pharmacy. Most recently, it was an insurance office.
The building is:
*Located at the eastern entrance to downtown on Manteca’s most high-profile east-west corridor.
*A straight shot from Manteca’s front door at Highway 99 and East Yosemite Avenue/East Highway 120 allowing the chamber to serve as a visitors center at an easy to find location.
*Almost three times the size of its current location allowing it to accommodate business support seminars and even chamber mixers.
“We also have a parking lot that is large enough to accommodate (outdoor) events,” noted Executive Director Joann Beattie.
One of those events will be a community party this summer to help the chamber mark its 100th anniversary.
The chamber is hoping to be able to put in place a LED message board sign in front of the new location that would be easily visible — and without causing a distraction — for those passing on Yosemite Avenue to see.
The goal isn’t only to promote chamber endeavors but community events such as the Saturday farmers market on Maple Avenue, Music on Maple, the Pumpkin Fair and assorted other endeavors taking place in downtown and elsewhere.
“We we’re investing back into the community,” noted Eddie Torres, who serves as the chamber’s vice president.
Torres believes a permanent home will allow the chamber to be a catalyst to create a more vibrant business climate for the community.
Torres, who has his law office downtown on Maple Avenue, believes the chamber’s move bodes well for downtown as well as the community.
Torres recently purchased his own building in the 100 block of West Yosemite Avenue after years of being a renter. He plans to move to that location later this year.
Jose Nuno of Jose Nuno Consulting along with Gary Singh of Crossroads Real Estate worked with the chamber in their search for a new location and to secure the building.
The chamber plans to move into its new location next month from its existing shared office space near Oak Valley Community Bank at North Street and Main Street
The chamber currently has more than 300 members. It serves Manteca, Lathrop, and surrounding communities.
The new location on downtown’s eastern flank is an aera that is slowly emerging as a haven for non-profits.
HOPE Ministries that operates HOPE Family Shelters has its headquarters across the street in a building that is also being remodeled to accommodate a teen center.
The Raymus Foundation plans to locate its offices in a building they plan to construct in the same block as well.
The Central Valley Association of Realtors is nearby having acquired the building that once housed the Bulletin.
Besides supporting, promoting and advocating on the behalf of business and promoting tourism, the chamber also conducts several community events.
The biggest is the annual Christmas parade and holiday festival that take place in the first two weeks of December.
The chamber’s marquee community service project is the Flags over Manteca endeavor. The effort — which started the year following the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001 — places 2,400 flags along Manteca streets (primarily Yosemite and Main) on select holidays throughout the year.
Upcoming Manteca chamber events include:
*The State of the City program in Thursday, April 13, at Great Wolf Lodge starting with brunch at 9:30 a.m. and the program at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are $20 apiece.
*The 2023 Crossroads Watermelon Street Fair in downtown Manteca June 3 and 4. Applications for vendor spaces are now available.
*Celebrating 100 years during the installation and awards dinner on Thursday, June 22, at Great Wolf Lodge. The social hour is at 5:30 p.m. with dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $50.
For tickets, applications or more information go to manteca.org or call (209) 823-6121.
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
