Berlin's Chamber of Commerce has been helping local businesses for 58 year, but it is closing its doors because it can no longer afford to stay open.
“Sad, it's been an intricate part of the community,” said Carleen Quinn, owner of the A.S. Labieniec pet food supply, which has been in business for 125 years.
“I rely on it, networking, information that can get out for us to the different businesses, to the different merchants,” she said.
Town officials said the chamber once had more than 200 members and businesses were paying about $225 dollars a year for the membership. Now there are 160 members.
“Businesses are taking a harder look at what they are getting for their money today and maybe they didn't feel like they were getting enough out of the chamber,” Richard Pentore, president of the chamber's executive board, said.
Officials said one employee who had been with the chamber for 13 years is now out of a job.
Quinn said she’s wondering what's next.
“With the economy, you have to look at every angle and it's always a concern when there are changes like this,” she said.
Chamber officials are talking with nearby chambers, like New Britain and Meriden, in hopes to have some type of affiliation.
