Small Towns and Walmart

The story of this little Massachusetts town really caught my eye.  Not only for the urban planning aspect but for the small business savvy and differentiating strategy.

Well worth the read.

Here is a snippet from the piece:

Downtown Hudson was quiet when Michael Kasseris stepped out into the late night air in 2012.

Behind him was a Main Street space that had once housed a printing shop, a bagel shop and a gifting shop.

His uncle owned the building. Kasseris and his two business partners had just opened Rail Trail Flatbread Co. -- a trendy new restaurant featuring wood-fired pizza and craft beer.

He looked around. The downtown stores, tucked inside historic brick buildings, were empty. The parking spaces were empty. There was no foot traffic.

He and his friends were investing everything they had into this place.

In a moment of panic, Kasseris thought, "What are we doing building a restaurant?"

Here is the full story:

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2017/08/hudson_how_this_small_massachu.html

Happy Reading,

J.W. Gant

Vermont Vacation Time Off

If you have never spent time vacationing in New England, either along the coast or along some body of water inland, you've been missing out.  Whether it is Kennebunkport, ME or Cape Cod, MA, or any of ten thousand other places you'll be living life the best it can be lived.

This year I'll be taking a week off to be in northern Vermont at a lake-side cabin with my wife, daughter, and dog Buster.  This is similar to the view I expect for all of next week, starting late tomorrow after a road trip.

I won't be posting so enjoy your time off as well and look for me again starting the 13th.

Happy 4th of July to everyone.

J.W. Gant

PS  For a little fun, browse through this guy's photo website.  He does some very cool staged photos where he blends multiple images to create the appearance of extreme action in a still photo.  Excellent!
http://www.ryanschude.com/