After a year of construction, the Coastal Alabama Business Chamber’s Gulf Shores office is hosting an open house and grand re-opening on Dec. 9 to show off the remodeled office.

Hurricane Sally damaged the roof to the two buildings on the property and the main building suffered some minor interior damage. The lack of vendors, contractors and supplies slowed the repairs and forced the team to work out of the Orange Beach office most of the year.

Due to the extent of the damage, Chamber President and CEO Greg Alexander said they took the time to remodel the lobby area while under construction. Most of the interior damage was cosmetic but the damage was severe enough that ceilings had to be pulled down.

“I always say the Chamber building belongs to its members and now they are going to have a beautiful place to come to. It was a bit outdated just because chambers are nonprofits, and we don’t get in the habit of somehow finding $100,000 to just do it because it needs to be done. This was the time,” Alexander said.

As the year comes to a close, a new board will be selected, and programming will hit the ground running in January. The team also continues to create new opportunities for their membership.

One new program was born out of Jones’ and Moberly’s lunch adventures. The pair often eat at new places around the area and thought it would be a fun idea for the membership.

The Lunch Bunch will be limited to 20 members and give them the opportunity to network and mingle once a month. Details can be found on the Chamber’s website.

“We are 92% small businesses within our membership, so this is a great way for them to get together,” Alexander said.

For a list of upcoming events or membership information, visit mygulfcoastchamber.com.