A few months ago, two good friends and I reached the first major milestone in the realization of our dream to open a brewery in our hometown of Springfield, Vermont.
A few months ago, two good friends and I reached the first major milestone in the realization of our dream to open a brewery in our hometown of Springfield, Vermont. We succeeded in purchasing an established brewery and moving its equipment to Springfield. We secured a lease for space in the Fellows Gear Shaper building, which was once a bustling center of industry in our town. Over the past few decades, Springfield, once known for its manufacturing industry, has seen a rapid decline in manufacturing; this has resulted in the decline of satelite businesses such as restaurants and stores. Springfield is not seen as a tourist destination, and is for the most part overlooked and bypassed by out-of-state ski traffic. Vermont is a unique state, which boasts more craft breweries per capita than any other state in the US. There are currently no breweries in Springfield, in fact the nearest brewery is a half-hour drive from us. Vermont has become a destination for connoisseurs of craft beer; we want Springfield to be part of this. Our project has been funded by a number of sources, including the Town of Springfield. Unfortunately we have incurred some unforeseen costs related to the building we are moving in to. Although we have several other financial hurdles to contend with, we are seeking $41,400 for our project. $26,400 will fund carpentry work and materials, and approximately $15,000 will be used to upgrade the sprinklers in our space. This work is necessary to bring our space up to fire code and although not originally our responsibility, has become ours due to a number of circumstances. We love Vermont and we love the town we grew up in. We believe that the success of our business will positively impact Springfield. We have received a tremendous amount of support from our town, and this about something much bigger than ourselves and making beer. We would be greatful for any help. Thank you!
I'm afraid we all have circumstances. You want my money now too? Good luck guys but there's others much less fortunate that need to be gofunded.
ReplyDeleteThe Realist. They don't want your money. They want you to invest in the town of Springfield. This will bring in tourists to the brewery, jobs, and a run atmosphere that this town has never seen before. I do agree that others need help to. If you cant help, that's totally fine.
DeleteThanks. Now you can get back to watching the Cartoon Network!
DeleteCory says, "They don't want your money." Hmmmm, isn't that exactly what they're asking for? Did you ever acquire any common sense or learn any critical reasoning skills in school?
DeleteWhen will the lien holder be liquidating the assets for loan default?
ReplyDeleteThis is ridiculous. Asking people to help them financially to in the end put money in THEIR pockets? If they need money now how are they going to pay back the loan that they got from the town? I think the town is going to get stuck. Had a feeling that this would happen.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 6:55am - this is an investment in the town, this will bring jobs, tourists just like the tourists that travel to Windsor to the brewery there. This will also bring a fun atmosphere in the art of craft brewing.
DeleteCory, perhaps you would like to quantify your predictions. How many jobs will it yield? How many tourists and how much money will it bring to town?
DeleteYou don't actually know the answer to those questions, do you? You are simply being another Pollyannish cheerleader with visions of grandeur for a hardluck town that is desperate for good news.
Get back to us when you can actually speak intelligently on the matter.
If I give $50 and it folds, I've spent less than a great dinner for two at 56 Main. If I give $50 and it succeeds, for a long time their story will be one of entrepreneurial dreams, struggle and success that will add to the lore and spirit of Springfield.
ReplyDeleteI'm chipping in.
This is great chuck.
DeleteYou're actually chirping in. A drop of beer hasn't even been brewed yet and you're already drunk and giddy with aspiration, which in typical fashion has clouded your already questionable judgment yet again.
DeleteThis "Hail Mary" financial pass is ample evidence that the venture was under-planned and undercapitalized from the get-go and is now at considerable risk for failure, regardless of the amount of pom-poms being waved by Chuck.
Just think how many good cups of coffee $50 could buy!
Maybe Chucks anti war protest signs should have an add-on 'Support Brewery' too!
Delete2:28, it sounds like you could get in there and do a much better job of helping them out than I could with only 35 cups of coffee. Why not do something for them and the town at the same time?
DeleteUsually in situations like this, Stocks are issued to get cash money. Maybe a stock certificate that says "Free Beer for Life" to the holder would work. Stocks are what make this country grow start up businesses.
ReplyDeleteOr a Stock Certificate that says "Good for Free Beer Tomorrow". Now that would be cleaver thinking, the type of thinking that makes capitalism great.
ReplyDeleteThey went into a building that didn't meet code and now they have to get money to fix it. They had no idea that it would be their responsibility to bring it to code...OK and why not? Who left this out of the lease and why aren't the owners being held accountable for this? If this is how these guys research a place to do business, then they are doomed for failure. They move in and then get the news...something wrong with this picture folks.
ReplyDeleteMove up to the Armory in No. Springfield
ReplyDelete"an investment in Springfield..." Why not just say the same thing people always say to get a budget passed around here - do it for the children!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm all for new businesses and I think the brewery will be a good thing for Springfield. However, when is/will a business move into Springfield without the help of government and charity? How much more can a town, state, and tax payer take with helping people who are on there last leg of financial means.
Delete7:54, answers: 1) probably never, and 2) a well-meaning government will always look for ways to empower a community by helping to provide decent jobs.
DeleteUnder the law of the divine right of Wall Street, the costs of production-- labor, infrastructure and pollution, etc.-- are all costs to be minimized. No capitalist worth his salt is going to plunk his factory down in a town where he has to shell out anything more than the minimum; hence, impoverished towns drive themselves further into poverty by offering tax breaks and credits, innovative financing at taxpayers' expense and so forth-- from which offerings the pirate chooses the most remunerative. Then, if he happens to be of the ilk of Unilever, after he has sucked the town empty of the benefits, he decamps as quickly and cleanly as possible, to pull the same stunt in some other poverty-ridden burg.
We don't have to let this happen, you know. But nobody wants to talk about doing it.