Erika Cuccaro created an excellent blog in 2013 that focused on the stories of individuals and businesses in Kemptville and District. “52 weeks in North Grenville” (52weeksng) ended in 2014 for a variety of reasons but I still hold it out as the model for local tourism writing.
Now four years later, she’s a Haven Maven and we’d be smart to keep her and her partners in town. Recently we’ve woken up to the economic possibilities that tourism brings and we’re suddenly looking at the South Branch of the Rideau River as an asset.
(R to L: Shelley Mitchell, 2017 Pop-Up Shop Steering Committee and Erika Cuccaro, 2017 Pop-Up Shop Sponsor secure 209 Sanders as a Pop-Up Shop loaction)
This past year Erika’s company “James Street Writing Company” was the third 2017 Kemptville Pop-Up Shop Program sponsor. The other two were Rob Noseworthy’s Westerra Homes and Neil Pringle’s Pringle Brothers Construction . There’s a strong creative business sector in Kemptville – which is to be expected being so close to a large market like Ottawa. Erika’s company is just one of many creative businesses that exist here by choice and who are community-minded by nature.
As Kemptville grows and our recreational infrastructure improves, look to people like Erika to play a large role in building tourist interest in Kemptville and the surrounding hamlets. North Grenville’s reputation as a generous community is confirmed by the number of businesses sponsoring important programs, local events and fundraisers. Businesses like James Street Writing Company.
A full 2017 Kemptville Pop-Up Shop Evaluation Report is available for download