Chamber of Commerce moving to new location on Richmond Highway

(Google Maps image)

The Mount Vernon-Lee Chamber of Commerce has moved to a new location on Richmond Highway, setting up shop at the Mount Vernon Plaza shopping center in Hybla Valley.

The Chamber will be located in the second floor office space at 7686 Richmond Highway — in between Michaels and Pier 1 Imports (see map).

The Chamber, which represents more than 300 businesses in Fairfax County’s Lee and Mount Vernon magesterial districts, was previously located at 6821 Richmond Highway in Groveton. Chamber Executive Director Holly Dougherty wrote in a blog post that the organization was pleased to find a space in one of the highway’s most successful commercial centers, and a public open house will be held in the fall.

“The Chamber was attracted to this vibrant commercial center and hopes to be a good addition to all that is happening here,” Dougherty said.

Dougherty said the Chamber had hoped to remain at its Groveton location, which had been the organization’s home since 2013, but indicated a new lease agreement could not be agreed upon.

“A business locates somewhere, establishes an identity with that location and is inclined to stay there if at all possible,” Dougherty said. “But sometimes it just doesn’t work out.”

Dougherty said the Chamber’s search for a new location was a reminder that there’s a shortage of quality office space on Richmond Highway. The lack of office space on the highway has been an issue for awhile, Dougherty said, noting that until more space is added — or existing space is improved — it will be difficult to attract non-retail businesses to the area.

“The good space that is available here is leased. The space that isn’t leased should be upgraded and then tenants will come,” Dougherty said. “If there is no office space then there are no businesses.”

She credited Federal Realty Investment Trust, who owns the office space at Mount Vernon Plaza, for investing in their property to make it more appealing to potential renters.

“Five years ago when I looked at the space there was worn red carpet on the floors, mis-matched office doors, and a gloomy feel,” Dougherty said. “Today everything is modern and welcoming. New paint colors, new carpet, new doors, even new windows where there were none previously, and a whole new feel.”

Dougherty also wrote that the move to Hybla Valley is a return to the Chamber’s roots. Back when it was founded in 1954, the Chamber’s first headquarters was in a building that stood where the current shopping center stands. That building was actually part of a re-purposed aircraft hangar from the old Hybla Valley airport, and a picture of the Chamber’s original sign hanging can be seen on the group’s website.