During my 14 years of living in The Valley, I cannot tell you how many
people I came in contact with that spoke about how "wonderful it would
be to escape the rat race and move to Vermont and run a B&B just
like Bob Newhart."
Perhaps he is reassessing the decision that was made to purchase a
B&B, on the outskirts of town, at the height of the real estate
bubble (that has since imploded). Perhaps he is realizing that he did
not do enough research into the target demographic of his current
location or the proper marketing approach for his venture. Are you
upset with the local folks or yourself?
In my opinion The Valley is considered an active lifestyle community
with the primary target age of 25 to 45 (skiers, wedding clients,
hikers, bikers, etc.). Those folks you are calling "low end bohemian
counter culture" are spending plenty of their hard earned money at
local businesses every day. Don't judge a book by its cover.
There is a secondary demographic being the 45-plus age group who either
own a primary/secondary home in the area or patronize many of the
numerous lodging and dining establishments that are offered.
It's obvious that he is a fan of Manchester, Woodstock and Stowe
(commercialized areas that I would hope The Valley never turns into).
Every Vermont town has its own character or personality: embrace it,
adapt to it or as you say, "pass through."
When it comes to marketing, I will say this: The most powerful
marketing tool in a small town is word of mouth. The last thing I would
ever do is berate my neighbors and fellow community in a public forum
such as the local newspaper.
Mr. Richichi -- You have shot yourself in the foot, my friend. If for
some reason you end up shooting your other foot or your car breaks down
on the side of the road, I'll bet you a pint of Lawson's Finest that a
friendly local will wander by and be kind enough to offer you
assistance. If you're lucky it will be Pete with his Leatherman; or Ian
or the GLM with their jumper cables; or even Keith, the master of
diagnostic prognostication. (By the way, thanks again, everyone.) It is
only during the worst of times that people can see through the fog of
everyday crap and appreciate what they have in their life.
The Valley is an amazing area. I suggest you treat people the way you
want to be treated or you may be the one who rots on the vine.
TJ Greenwood is a former Valley resident who now lives in Northfield, NJ.
