Maitland Chamber marks 60 years in business

Before Watergate or “Deflategate” – or the tens of other “-gate” named scandals in between – Maitland had a gate controversy of its own.

In 1924, as Florida real estate began to boom, Maitland residents wanted to build a “gate” across Black Bear Trail – now known as Maitland Avenue. A handful of Maitland’s then 500 residents organized as a group to help make the gate a reality.

And the Maitland Area Chamber of Commerce was born.

According to Chamber history, the organization shuttered five years later as the Great Depression took hold. And, former longtime Maitland Area Chamber Executive Director Mary Hodge said, the gate was never built.

“I think maybe [the gate] was to stop people from coming through on Black Bear Trail the same way we’re trying to keep people off Maitland Avenue today,” Hodge said with a laugh.

But 27 years later, the group was reborn, and the Maitland Area Chamber of Commerce that’s known in the community today took form. Hodge helmed the Chamber from 1998 to 2011. As of earlier this year, Jeff Aames is leading up the organization as the new executive director.

The Chamber is celebrating its 60 years of consecutive service this month, hosting its own birthday party at Sam Snead’s Tavern on Thursday, Sept. 22.

Aames said he is looking forward to celebrating a new era for the Chamber, as it works to rejuvenate its programming and grow its membership throughout its 60th year.

“There’s so much happening in this town right now,” Aames said. “…There’s so much opportunity for the next 60 years.”

New developments are springing up across the city, and Aames said the Chamber is excited to partner with the city to help nurture new businesses as they take root.

“We’re looking forward to a growing partnership with the city and the development going on here on both the east and the west side,” he said.

The Chamber’s goal is to hit 200 members by the end of the year. Aames said membership is currently at 175. That’s down from the number of memberships the Chamber had at its peak before the recession hit in 2008. But Aames said he’s been working to restore its numbers and build back up the organization’s involvement in the community.

Earlier this year the Chamber decided to shakeup its programming, canceling both its annual spring arts festival and the Taste of Maitland. Instead, Aames said, the Chamber is focusing on smaller events to get members actively involved.

“I want to find [event ideas] that not everyone else is doing,” he said.

One such event is the Monthly Mixer, which is held the fourth Thursday of every month. September’s event will be themed as a birthday party for the Chamber.

In between events and Chamber-related committee meetings, you can find Aames at work in the Chamber’s building at the corner of Maitland and George avenues. Last month the Chamber inked a deal with the city to lease the building for $1 a year for the next 10 years.

Anytime Aames is in the office, he encourages local residents and business owners to stop by and see what the Chamber can do for them.

“The door’s always open, and the coffee’s always on,” he said.

And if you come out to the Monthly Mixer on Sept. 22, he said, you can snag yourself a slice of birthday cake too.