Cave Creek to have Tourist Center
Chamber of Commerce announces new visitors center for Cave Creek Road
by Brian DiTullio

DESERT FOOTHILLS – The Carefree/Cave Creek Chamber of Commerce is opening a visitors center in Cave Creek.

Chamber Executive Director Ian Ellison announced the new space, comprising about 300 square feet, will open soon in the Sterling Fine Homes building on Cave Creek Road. The real estate business, headed by Stephanie Anderson, Kris Highland, Connie Edelman and designated broker Jeri Highland, is charging rent of $1 a month for the space.

Past chamber president Roger Petersen was the point person in getting the deal done.

“That’s public service at its best,” said Ellison.

“I recognized that there was an opportunity and made the presentation to (the chamber),” Petersen told The Desert Advocate, noting the location has good parking and great access to Cave Creek’s commercial core.

Chamber President Dave Karsten said he’s very excited about the new visitors center. “It’s an initiative the chamber has been working on for years. The fact that it’s a reality now is wonderful.”

Ellison said the town is behind the new information center and that the chamber has discussed with Town Manager Usama Abujbarah putting signage up on Cave Creek Road to direct tourists to the new center.

Bart Krassen, head of the Cave Creek Merchants Association, also was part of the process that allowed the center to become a reality, but was out of town and unavailable for comment.

Cave Creek Mayor Vincent Francia said he was thrilled the chamber and the merchant’s association got together and worked out a deal. “It’s always been my hope the two (organizations)  would find some common ground.”

Ellison related his belief that the more Carefree and Cave Creek can share tourism, the better it will be for everybody. “It can really make the summers better,” he said.

The chamber’s executive director hopes to have the new information center up and running by Aug. 15, but the challenge will be finding someone to staff the office on a full‑time basis.

“We’re going to try and staff the place with volunteers until we can find someone to do it full time,” he said, adding that funding would present a challenge for the chamber.

Ellison noted the chamber is seeking donations of office equipment to help offset the costs of the startup.

Karsten stated that he believes “everyone” is behind the new information center and that, along with the chamber’s Carefree office, there will now be coverage of the entire area for tourists.

“Most people, when they go to a small town, look for a visitor’s center,” said Ellison. “Now Cave Creek will have one.”