It's the Summertime
Sidewalk, Street & Alley Sale!

Saturday, July 10

Up, down & around the Little City

Bag some BIG bargains and great deals up, down and around Main Street Vergennes - this Saturday!
Ten Stones Emporium Opens on Main!
Char Goodell, owner of The Blue Lily Clothing Company on the Basin Block, had a dream. A dream to open another shop that incorporates her love of sustainability, care for the environment and self. When the longstanding Marble Works location was vacated last year on the Stone Block, Char realized the opportunity to act was just up the block!

Opening just last Saturday, customers are quickly becoming fans of Ten Stones Emporium, located at 185 Main Street, which features fair trade products from around the world. Check out the shop, located in the heart of Vergennes, between lu.lu ice cream & Rockers Pizzeria!
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Meet Me in the Middle!
Vergennes has been a longtime meeting spot for many. A recent Facebook search research connected two friends who, just after college, met in Paris 50 years ago. Driving from Chestertown, NY and South Burlington, VT, the friends and their spouses reconnected over lunch this past week. I was privileged to give them a tour of our beloved Opera House after they enjoyed shopping the downtown, doing lunch at 3 Squares Café, then shopping some more! They picked up the new City Guide, perused the VOH schedule of events and committed to meeting once again in the middle - in the Little City with the Big Heart!
VP Annual Meeting & Summertime Blender
Brings the Community Together
The Vergennes Partnership ended its FY 20-21 fiscal year on Wednesday, June 30 and combined their Annual Meeting and summertime blender that evening at the historic Strong House Inn. The Partnership's theme for the evening and the coming year: The Future is Ours to Create.
Congratulations to Cory & Hilary Foote who recently sold their Small City Market business in Vergennes. The Footes were honored for their support of the many local non-profits and causes over the years - especially to our schools. Mayor Matt Chabot presented to them, a key to the City - a gift from the Partnership. We send sincere thanks and appreciation to the Footes; wishing them much happiness as they begin the next chapter of their lives.

A shout out of thanks to innkeepers Amy & DJ Djordjevic for hosting! Over 50 people received warm welcomes by the Partnership board. Rocker's Pizzeria provided pizza for all; Doug Mack serviced up his world famous garlic soup while daughter Laura served up ice cream. (Note: Doug's soup is now available in to-go quarts at lu.lu ice cream). In addition, everyone had opportunity to meet V Smiley of V Smiley Preserves too! Providing samples and product, V's is getting ready to launch Minifactory, a 3400 sq. ft. mixed-use manufacturing space, retail and restaurant space at Kennedy Brothers - with plans to open this fall. Stay tuned!
As he stepped down as VP president, Renny Perry was recognized for his leadership in Vergennes city government as well as his many contributions to the Partnership over the years. Presented with a Simon Pearce clock, he was promised the gift of more time to enjoy his retirement!
Vergennes Partnership Executive Team, L to R:
Jen Russell, Elise Shanbacker, Scott Gaines, Laura Mack
Jen Russell begins her term as VP President,
taking over for Renny Perry.
3 Cheers for the
Addison County Board of Realtors!
Three cheers and 1000 thanks - The Addison County Board of Realtors recently awarded $7000 to each of the three designated downtowns in the county - Vergennes, Bristol and Middlebury. The grant will be used for upgrades to the kiosks at the Falls, installation of a bike self fix-it station on the City Green and a contribution to the Push for the Pavilion campaign. A fabulous boost for Vergennes from the 60+ members representing more than 10 different real estate offices in the county. ACBOR provides a strong and effective voice on home ownership and real estate issues on a local, state and national level. Stay tuned for more updates as our projects get underway!

Picture L to R: Danelle Birong, The Real Estate Company of Vermont
Julie Nelson Basol, Vergennes Partnership
Courtney DeBisschop, IPJ Real Estate
Travel & Leisure Recognizes Vergennes,
1 of 15 Best Lake Towns!
Obtaining the distinction as one of 15 best lake towns from Maine to California may seem odd to someone driving Rt. 7. For a boater, traveling from Vergennes to Lake Champlain, however, Otter Creek is the only way! With Basin Harbor within reach, the Little City is in good company with the other 14. Read on....
lu.lu ice cream
Gains National Notice
Making the Best of New England ranks in 2018 by Yankee Magazine, lu.lu ice cream was recently named best ice cream in Vermont by Food Network Magazine!

With a myriad of flavors she whips up each week, proprietor Laura Mack settled on the popular Basil flavor as her entry for the competition. The judges agreed to what the locals already know, it packs a herby punch! Laura and her staff will be churning and scooping her award-winning Basil flavor all summer long along with other favorites Slum Dog Millionaire, Salted Caramel and more.

Do you know? lu.lu also makes out of this world ice cream cakes and ships all over the United States too!
VP News is brought to you by Vergennes Partnership, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the Little City reach its full potential. Through the Partnership, the City has earned over a million dollars since 1999 with tax credits and grants which have greatly improved the health, appearance and vitality of the downtown and beyond.
Consider a donation to the Partnership: click here.