FARMINGTON – A warm, cozy, welcoming center is the goal for the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce when it moves to the space formerly occupied by Mountain View Chocolate Shoppe on Wilton Road.

The chamber will lease the space as of Dec. 1 but a moving date is uncertain, Lorna Nichols, executive director, said Friday. All this will happen while chamber members participate in several holiday events including Chester Greenwood Day on Dec. 6.

“It’s a more visible spot and we’re looking to open the space for a visitor center . . . the gateway to Farmington and Franklin County,” Nichols added.

The space provides an opportunity for a reception area with a couch, chairs, coffee table and maybe a gas stove for people to warm up by while they browse through information about the area.

“We want it to be warm, cozy and welcoming . . . and of course the coffee pot will always be on,” she said. “This will be visitors’ first impression of the area, and we want people to come in and feel welcomed to Franklin County and Farmington.”

A space for chamber members to showcase their products and services will also be set up in addition to the brochures and cards that the chamber keeps available. The space will be offered to members on a rotating basis, she said.

The chamber, currently open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday, will also explore recruiting volunteers to help keep it open longer hours and weekends during the busy tourist seasons of summer and early fall. Retired individuals who are familiar with the area and ready to share their knowledge may be of service.

The move comes at an already busy time as the chamber is in the midst of preparing for Chester Greenwood Day and gathering donations for its annual holiday food baskets. This year’s goal is 50 families but more will be given as long as supplies last, she said.

“The good part is these baskets are much more than just a holiday dinner. There is about two weeks worth of food in them,” she added.

The chamber does need families to contact it if they would like a basket and provide some basic information including how many children/adults are in the family. The baskets are tailored to the number in the home, she said.

The chamber is accepting food or monetary donations until Dec. 15. Some people have already volunteered to help shop, assemble the baskets and start deliveries later that week, she said. Donations may be left at the chamber office or checks mailed to 407 Wilton Road, Suite 1, Farmington, ME 04938.

The parade for Chester Greenwood Day will start at 11 a.m. Dec. 6. This year, the chamber is asking participants to preregister with forms available at the chamber Web site at www.franklincountymaine.org

Floats that are not preregistered will not be eligible for prizes, she said.

Franklin Savings Administration building on Front Street will be the site for the gingerbread house and chili contests. The chili contest is held at 12:30 p.m. but visitors are invited to browse the gingerbread houses from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Participants in these events are also encouraged to preregister. It just makes it easier, she added.

The chamber also will be featured in the December/January issue of Country magazine for Chester Greenwood Day, she said.