Hi Scott - 

     I am so sorry to hear about Tom Cogan. He was a bright spot in our business community, and a great guy. 

     I have been catching up on a few months worth of your blog.  I have been kind of pre-occupied for the past few months, first with organizing The Ghosts of Burton Historical Tour, and then making a mad dash to put together the 2009 Country Hearth Christmas event.  I took on the Country Hearth Christmas project as a favor to someone, and pulled it all together in about 2 weeks.  It was a crazy-intensive effort to create something that should normally take 4 to 6 months and a committee of people! 

     I am very pleased with the resulting format and the volunteer help offered to the Country Hearth Christmas event.  We had good press, too.  Articles appeared in all local and regional newspapers, and even in the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Friday! Magazine. A videographer from G-TV was out to take film, also. (Thanks to Geauga Tourism for helping to grease the wheels of publicity!)  Thank you for your kind words of support on the Blog. 

     So, where were the people?!?  Actually, I know that several people came to Burton specifically because they had received a brochure or read about the events in the papers.  But, I think the publicity may have drawn only several dozen folks here over the two weekends, not several hundred.  Many parents commented on how much they appreciated the Children's "Santa Shoppe", geared for children age 11 and under. I hope those same parents thought to buy something in the local stores as well. 

     I support well-organized events that bring people to Burton, or that promote Burton in a positive light, because I want to see our Village and especially Main Street remain charming and become even more of a shoppers' destination. 

     If we don't make the retail environment here appealing and financially supportive for local retail operations, we might have a consequence even worse than a few empty storefronts. My fear is that building owners will give in to pressures to rent to anyone with funds, and we will see the likes of paycheck cashing/short-term loans, bail bonds, and cheap merchandise shops. (I am being a little hypocritical here. I did quite a bit of shopping at a Dollar store - in a different county - for the Santa Shoppe. I am guilty of "not in my back-yard" thinking. My apologies to anyone offended.) 

     Everyone (not just merchants, but also residents, visitors, and others with a vested interest in the "look" of Burton) should support efforts to reinforce "Historic Burton" as a travel and shoppers destination. If we cannot support our local businesses, and then more of them fold or move, that small-town historic charm of our Village will change - I think not for the better. Furthermore, it would be best to fill vacant spots with quality retailers who will help encourage tourism and shopping here. 

     There is a lot that a Merchant's Association (or Downtown Burton Association) can do. I have lots of ideas too! Festivals. Ideal retailers for vacant space. Support and assistance for current retailers. Community events. Like you, Scott - I don't want to get bogged down in politics and red tape. I just want to DO something. 

     Let's get this ball rolling!

Robyn Morris
Goodwin House Bed & Breakfast

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Robyn:  Happy New Year!  I missed you at the Gunrunner Christmas party this year!  Yes, we need a Burton Downtown Merchant Association - membership would be limited to only those who own or operate a Main Street/Square Burton business.  It would be wonderful to have the restaurant owners come as well as the retail merchants.  I have lots of room upstairs in my store and we could meet there.  In a couple of weeks I will set a date and circulate an invitation for all to attend.  Let's see what happens!  No politics, just CURRENT business people getting together with ideas  and NETWORKING.  I'll keep you posted.

     Thanks again for your QUICK work on the Country Hearth Christmas activities.  Yes, I measured the people present in dozens, not hundreds...  I did see quite a bit of advertisement on it.  One person made the comment that if you had CHARGED money for the workshops people would have been there in bigger numbers!  Go figure...  I'm sorry I missed those cooking demonstrations - I love to learn new stuff and cook it up!   And I would have loved to learn more about wine and other seasonal beverages.

     The kids' Christmas selections were a great idea.  Hope that went over well!  Bravo to you!

     I am currently working with a potential businesswoman who is considering setting up in one of Burton's vacant business shops.  She's very, very interested and I have been telling her my experience and giving suggestions.  She's got a little business now she operates out of her house that has vast potential for working well in Burton.  Very clean, very unique!  I'll keep you posted on that venture. 

     Thanks for all you do!   And yes, we'll all miss Tom Cogan.  There is a memorial service for him tomorrow in Troy.