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It’s an unlikely partnership, one that stemmed from an idea and grew into a partnership between the Veterans of Foreign Wars Harold Daley Post 133 and the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce.

The result – new office space for the Chamber and a Community Conference Room and meeting space, unveiled Tuesday during a grand opening ceremony at the Lake Avenue VFW headquarters.

“Initially it was just an idea over lunch,” VFW Commander Frank Brogna said. “Jackie [Pappas, Chamber Executive Director] had been telling me about their current situation and what they had. We had this space, this dead space that really needed a visionary to come in and be able to transform it to be a usable space for the community.”

Work to transform that dead space in the basement of the VFW headquarters in the historic armory building began in June.

The building dates back to 1915, when the New Jersey National Guard built the armory to house its Company H during World Wars I and II. The armory remained active until the 1960’s when local VFW Post purchased it.

During the VFW’s tenure in the building it’s been host to weddings, theatrical productions, wrestling matches, and the inaugural Asbury Park Zombie Walk.

Over 35 people attended the ceremonial ribbon cutting Tuesday, including members of the VFW, Chamber of Commerce’s Board of Trustees, City Council members Yvonne Clayton and Jesse Kendle, and NJ Natural Gas Director of Customer and Community Relations Thomas Hayes.

Natural Gas donated the funds to construct the Community Conference Room, open for public use.

“I’m thrilled to see this,” Hayes said. “It will really be a functioning Chamber for folks, with information on how to do business better, the state’s latest incentive offerings and tax programs.”

Prior to the relocation, the Chamber of Commerce offices were located on Main Street and most recently at the Springwood Avenue Business Development Center, Pappas said.

“As you can see we don’t have a traditional office space,” Pappas said. “Obviously we are moving to the coolest places in town and we consider this to be one of them. I feel that this space is especially welcoming and comforting.”

The blend of modern wood and stainless steel was paired with the historic exposed brick elements through a collaboration with local interior designer Nancy Mikulich of Oasis Home, local carpenter Alan Wikander, and a bit of sweat equity by Pappas and Chamber marketing coordinator Matthew Whelan.

Mikulich donated her time for the design and space-planning, and many of the project’s materials were donated, Pappas said.

“She walked in with an open mind and helped us to choose the elements and to make sure this space was fitting of this historic building,” Pappas said.  “It was incredibly important for us to be a part of this growing and emerging community – not just the business community but the community overall.”

The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce was established over 100 years ago as part of the sweeping trend across the country in 1913 to replace boards of trade with Chambers of Commerce better representing the emerging retail and service industries of the time.

On Dec. 16, the Chamber will hold its Holiday Party at the new location.

Pappas said the Chamber’s Board of Trustees and staff will serve guests an array of donated dishes from local eateries. At stake is the Golden Whisk award for the best dish – held for the past two years by DJ Presto of DJ’s Delights.

The holiday party will be a casual attire affair but ‘ugly Christmas sweaters’ are welcomed, Pappas said.

The Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce is now located at 701 Lake Avenue. For more information, call (732) 775-7676 or visit the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce website.

[Top three photos courtesy of the Chamber]

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