We live in rural, small-town America. The population was 530 at the 2010 census. And now in November 2017, the population sign as you come into town reads “Population 487.” Bayfield is a destination location during the summer for tourists from around the country and the world.
Come mid to late October, the tourists are gone and many of the shops and lodging locations shutter their doors for the winter months. The hustle and bustle of the summer months are great for all who live and work here, and we’re also thankful for the peace and quiet of the winter months.
There are times during the winter months while driving downtown that the city appears to take on ghost town status. Parking along the main street is wide open, and businesses are shuttered. In times like these that I begin to ponder, ruminate and wonder what would happen if…?
Over these next 10 blog postings, I’m going to highlight random business properties in our town. The photos were randomly taken. There are new buildings, empty storefronts, and unimproved real-estate.
We’ve been familiar with today’s closed business since we arrived here nearly three years ago. The coffee shop is an integral part of this community. It is a gathering place, community spot, a place to see and be seen by all in the community. Much like the colonial pubs, the coffee shop is a place to gather and cuss and discuss the topics of the day over freshly roasted coffee and locally made pastries.
Currently, the coffee shop has been closed for renovations, since September 12, 2017, with no by when they will re-open. That the shop was closed during a conference held in the town hosting 150-200 potential customers and repeat customers was puzzling. That the shop continued to be closed during the town’s annual Apple Festival was an enigma.
As to when the shop will re-open is the subject of conjecture and speculation. The small town gossip, innuendo, and denunciation mills have been working overtime. The shop has only given vague and circuitous answers as to their re-opening. Certainly, a verifiable and straightforward posting on the usual suspect sites would go a long way to set the overall record straight. Also, it would calm the natives knowing what is truly going on in their town.