Vermont ski town says it's 'waiting with open arms' for the winter season after severe flooding
As winter approaches, a Vermont ski town that was hit by severe flooding this summer wants to get the word out that its very much open, with only a handful of businesses still rebuilding
LUDLOW, Vt. — The debris and mud slide near the base of the road to the Okemo ski resort have long been cleared away, and open flags now hang outside shops and restaurants in a small Vermont ski town hit by severe flooding this summer.
As winter approaches and the fall tourism season lingers, Ludlow businesses that lost out on summer tourism want to get the word out that they are open, even though some are still in the throes of rebuilding.
“As far as our businesses, I'd say 90% plus have reopened,” Ludlow Town Manager Brendan McNamara said. «Some are still just coming down that final stretch to open, especially for the fall-winter season, but we've come a long way and town is ready for the winter season. Waiting with open arms.»
Ludlow was one of the Vermont communities hit hardest by the July flooding that not only inundated businesses and homes with floodwaters but heavily damaged the town post office and wastewater treatment plant.
The post office reopened two weeks ago, though the town's flood-damaged grocery store remains closed.
Businesses that were not physically damaged by the flooding suffered economic losses from the lack of visitors.
“We’re open for business and ready to go,” Mark Verespy, owner of The Killarney pub, said of the town. “As far as the infrastructure goes, it’s there and we’re just kind of filling in a few small gaps, but they should be done for winter.”
Some think there won't be enough restaurants in town to meet winter demand, particularly if the grocery store doesn't reopen soon. The Shaw’s grocery store
Read more on abcnews.go.com
