By Barry Cohen
Orange Chamber of Commerce
Cohen
Let’s have a chamber cheer for Planet Fitness in Orange. On Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 4:30 p.m., the “judgement free zone” will mark over two decades of being an awesome Orange business with a milestone ribbon-cutting at 440 Boston Post Rd. A celebration showcasing the best-in-class renovations and state-of-the-art new equipment the fitness facility recently installed throughout their pristine workout floor will follow from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The continued investment and community engagement made by Planet Fitness and its parent IGNITE Fitness Holdings is a testament to their commitment to the town and surrounding municipalities.
You may recall that Planet Fitness jumped right in and was the first of six corporations to sign on as an event sponsor for the Orange Chamber Health and Fitness Expo on Jan. 11.
Why take the leap? Ryan Berk, CEO of IGNITE said, “We always want to support the chamber and our communities.” IGNITE is one of the largest Planet Fitness franchisees, currently operating over 130 locations, which includes Planet Fitness in Orange.
Congratulations to Orange Chamber of Commerce member Mai Thai Restaurant on being named “Best Thai Restaurant” both statewide and in the county for 2025 as determined by the Hearst newspapers Readers’ Choice survey.
Pamela Mahler of the “Best of” product team said, “Known for its fresh ingredients and flavorful recipes, Mai Thai ensures a memorable dining experience. Whether you’re dining in or ordering takeout, the restaurant promises quality and taste with every dish, making it a must-visit spot for fans of Thai cuisine in Connecticut.”
Owner Pete Kolakul also donated gift certificates as part of our Feb. 3, “Feel the Love” Business After-Hours, hosted by the always-generous Charter Senior Living of Orange. A bountiful “beauty basket” was also donated by Melissa Murphy and Alyson Anderson, the dynamic duo owners of Kashmire Salon. The event featured mouth-watering hors d’oeuvres, light refreshments and beverages. And we were celebrating Valentine’s Day, so you know there were also sweets involved.
Yale University West Campus joined the Orange Chamber of Commerce last October. During this brief time, Yale has proven to be an essential part of the chamber, as the university is to our region’s economy via jobs, business growth, charitable contributions and overall quality of life.
As part of the university’s continued engagement with businesses throughout the region and the local community, Yale West Campus kicked off 2025 by becoming our newest corporate partner. This is the highest level of membership, shared with seven other organizations.
Corporate partners and event sponsors allow the chamber to maintain financial stability and access critical operational resources while also creating and optimizing benefits for every chamber member and the communities we serve.
Since the last column, the chamber welcomed three new members, including the Regional Water Authority, TLC Mindful Consulting and the soon-to-open House of Brides, which will have a ribbon-cutting on March 1 at 1:30 p.m. at 236 Boston Post Rd.
Barry Cohen is the executive director of the Orange Chamber of Commerce. Contact him at 203-795-3328 or director@orangectchamber.com.