More than 1,000 people recently participated in a survey about Middlebury's "Future of Retail." The survey is a project of the Better Middlebury Partnership, a local civic organization.
Survey respondents said they value the ability to buy items locally and the importance of maintaining the character of Middlebury. The survey also showed shoppers would like to see more restaurants, clothing shops and a new department store in the area.
Better Middlebury Partnership is combining survey responses with market analysis data collected through interviews and research this spring. The group is working with Arnett Muldrow & Associates, an economic development and marketing firm out of Greenville, South Carolina.
Organizers say they are combining the data into a formal report, which will be available to the public this summer.
