Businesses are starting to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and with summer quickly approaching, Montpelier Alive wants to help them get back on track. “Coming out of the pandemic, everybody’s been home bound for so long. So this is kind of a motivating re-introducing to this town that they’ve kind of been taking a step back from over the last year,” says Emma Dale, Bookseller from Bear Pond Books. Dan Groberg, Montpelier Alive Executive Director, says the nonprofit was thinking of ways to get people out and enjoying different places in Montpelier all while staying safe. After the city cancelled its annual Independence Day Celebration because of the pandemic, Montpelier Alive came up with a checklist idea instead. Inviting people to do things such as trying a dish they haven’t tried before, or, to buy a gift for a friend at a local Montpelier store. Grober acknowledged, “it’s been a tremendously hard year for local businesses so we’re really trying to give them a boost coming into this new year.”Katie Pello from Woodbury Toys says, it worked. “It’s something fun to do with your family. I had a family of five come in to get checklists the other day in the pouring rain. Something to get them out of the house and do something different. And support the community as well at that time. It was nice to see that,” said Pello. One book seller from Bear Pond Books say the challenge has helped remind folks to value the businesses in the area. “The Great Montpelier Challenge has really allowed people to really dive deeper into all of the businesses in Montpelier. It’s a really fun checklist so you get to try new food, explore the arts a little bit more, explore our bookstore. It’s been fun to see people come in and get these checklists and explore their hometown a little bit more,” said Dale. Organizers say supporting local business helps the local economy, and community, thrive. Especially after a year following the pandemic. The Great Montpelier Challenge goes until May 15, and anyone who participates is eligible to win a prize. People interested in participating can find maps on Montpelier Alive Facebook page, website, or at several participating stores including the ones mentioned in this story.
Businesses are starting to recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and with summer quickly approaching, Montpelier Alive wants to help them get back on track.
“Coming out of the pandemic, everybody’s been home bound for so long. So this is kind of a motivating re-introducing to this town that they’ve kind of been taking a step back from over the last year,” says Emma Dale, Bookseller from Bear Pond Books.
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Dan Groberg, Montpelier Alive Executive Director, says the nonprofit was thinking of ways to get people out and enjoying different places in Montpelier all while staying safe. After the city cancelled its annual Independence Day Celebration because of the pandemic, Montpelier Alive came up with a checklist idea instead. Inviting people to do things such as trying a dish they haven’t tried before, or, to buy a gift for a friend at a local Montpelier store.
Grober acknowledged, “it’s been a tremendously hard year for local businesses so we’re really trying to give them a boost coming into this new year.”
Katie Pello from Woodbury Toys says, it worked.
“It’s something fun to do with your family. I had a family of five come in to get checklists the other day in the pouring rain. Something to get them out of the house and do something different. And support the community as well at that time. It was nice to see that,” said Pello.
One book seller from Bear Pond Books say the challenge has helped remind folks to value the businesses in the area.
“The Great Montpelier Challenge has really allowed people to really dive deeper into all of the businesses in Montpelier. It’s a really fun checklist so you get to try new food, explore the arts a little bit more, explore our bookstore. It’s been fun to see people come in and get these checklists and explore their hometown a little bit more,” said Dale.
Organizers say supporting local business helps the local economy, and community, thrive. Especially after a year following the pandemic.
The Great Montpelier Challenge goes until May 15, and anyone who participates is eligible to win a prize. People interested in participating can find maps on Montpelier Alive Facebook page, website, or at several participating stores including the ones mentioned in this story.
