I live in a town that doesn't seem to be able to sustain Winter business except for some few eateries and alcohol outlets, yet in the summer and fall we can support ships and better restaurants. The town works on economic development but it is hard to overcome the fact that our actual year-round population is considerably less than 500 year-round residents. The summer people arrive in June or July and the college kids just don't spend much money off campus.
Our newest shop called LUCKY HILL has decided that it cannot afford to be open in the Winter or very early Spring. I am sure that heating and lighting a store when no customers come in to buy is very demoralizing. I suppose the only keys to economic developement in Castine are to grow the year-round population substanstially! Short of that? We need to enjoy our town and just appreciate it for its beauty and peacefulness in the Winter and drive to stores an hour away or shop on line when needs arrise.
Castine's beauty was its economic downfall. Rich people have bought up its big and lovely homes for seasonal properties. Stores need year-round residents. Such a price for beauty!
I need to try this:
http://www.pbs.org/parents/kitchenexplorers/2013/03/14/fruit-and-yogurt-cream-stuffed-french-toast/
