As you know I have been an ardent promoter of rafting and kayaking. However, that is a tiny part of the tourism market. The real market is the day tripper from Ottawa out for a scenic drive, a pleasant walk at the destination combined with a unique shopping and dining experience. Wakefield, Quebec has it, Calabogie, Perth, Westport and Rideau Lakes have it but we don�Ã�¢�â��¬�â��¢t �Ã�¢�â��¬�â�� until now.
The craft stores in Beachburg and Cobden along with Whitewater Brewery are the game changer for Whitewater Region. To be successful, you need critical mass. We now have it. At its heart will be the Barn at Bus Eater on Grants Settlement Road housing Whitewater Brewery, the brew pub and now the retail shopping experience. Starting next Thursday, July 24th the retail at the Barn will be open for all area crafts people to bring in their offerings to be sold at the Barn. It will also be a gear swap opportunity for area paddlers and mountain bikers to bring in their used gear for sale.
To sell something, just bring it to the Barn and fill in sales tag with the price you want. There is a Toonie upfront cost per item or a fiver cost for a basket of items. When it sales, you get 85% of the selling price and the barn keeps 15% for providing the space, marketing and selling expense. Our goal is to outgrow the barn this summer and fill the adjoining building next summer with more crafts, gear swap and farmers market. It’s all about critical mass.
When you add the beautiful drive along the river road from Arnprior, the easy walk to the spectacular Inspiration Point at the river, then you have all the ingredients to attract the day tripper market from Ottawa.
Together, we can make this dream a reality, now!
Joe
