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.
Today’s business is a multi-faceted business. This building includes both a restaurant with outdoor seating and lodging on the second floor of the building. Being right on the waterfront and so close to the downtown area makes this a prime location.
Like many of the other businesses in town, shortly after the town’s annual Apple Fest, this business began curtailing their hours and are now closed for the offseason. Any building that is this large continues to have operating costs ie: heat, and other utilities and simply building maintenance. Add to the closing of the building, there are issues to closing both the restaurant and the lodging portion of the building.
It would appear overall, that all of these businesses closing for the offseason have made plenty of money to tide them through until the anticipated tourist season. As a city and resident of said city, it causes me to ponder what sort of face we’re putting on for those who visit during the offseason. Lots of closed businesses and fewer option for basic services that during the tourist season.
I know we have events here in the city and surrounding area during the winter. How does the Chamber of Commerce spin the closures or does it even address the issue at all. Do newcomers to our city in the winter months even ask the question?