Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce opens new Welcome Center on Front Street

LEAVENWORTH — The Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce celebrated the grand opening of its new Willkommen (Welcome) Center on Feb. 14.

Located at 645 Front Street, the new Welcome Center brings the Chamber’s visitor services into the heart of downtown Leavenworth. According to Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Troy Campbell, the opening fulfills a vision shaped by the growing demand for in-person visitor services in Leavenworth. In 2024, the Leavenworth Welcome Center served more than 78,000 visitors, the highest annual visitation of any visitor center in Washington State, according to a recent Washington State Destination Marketing Organization (WSDMO) survey.

“This Welcome Center has been a dream of mine since my earliest days with the Chamber,” said Campbell. “To see it come to life on Front Street, in a building with such deep roots in our Bavarian story, is incredibly meaningful.”

The Welcome Center was designed by architecture and interior design studio Syndicate Smith and constructed by Rimmer & Roeter Construction, both local to the upper Wenatchee Valley. 

“It’s been incredibly rewarding to collaborate with the Chamber on a project so thoughtfully aligned with the long-term success of the town,” said Todd Smith, founding partner of Syndicate Smith. “We’re equally honored to partner with Rimmer & Roeter, whose craftsmanship helped bring this vision to life.”

According to the chamber, the building itself holds special historical significance, having been owned by Ted Price and Rodgers in February 1966. Price and Rodgers were instrumental in the “Bavarianization” of Leavenworth in the 1960s.

The Chamber of Commerce opened the celebration with the sounds of the historic Glockenspiel and the Leavenworth Alphorns, followed by a ribbon cutting.

“This space truly feels like a front porch for our community—a place where visitors are welcomed, oriented, and invited to experience everything that makes Leavenworth special,” said Campbell. “I’m deeply grateful to our Board, our partners, and everyone who helped turn this vision into reality.”

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media