With its historic mansions and inns, Brandon has been a favorite wedding destination for years. But local business leaders hope a new marketing effort will help lure other types of visitors as well.
The door chime rings softy when anyone enters Carr’s Florist and Gift shop. It’s one of many downtown Brandon businesses that benefit from the wedding industry.
But co-owner Beth Carr says it’s a foundation they’d like to expand on.
“We’re also trying to target a new customer, someone who might not be coming for a wedding, but is planning a birding weekend, or someone who is into the fiber arts.”
For the past year, locals like Carr and her husband Bernie, who heads the Brandon Area Chamber of Commerce, have been brainstorming about what makes the town special.
Gary Meffe, a chamber board member, says the group has come up with 11 new guides touting everything from backcountry skiing and mountain biking, to historical architecture walks, birding tours and gallery visits.
They’re calling the campaign "Brandon’s Gateways to Adventure."
“So for example on a fiber tour you can come here and go to an alpaca farm; see the animals,” says Meffe. “Then go to the mill where its processed, go to various artisans and see them making the products.”
You can go to Creative Fiber Design, which is a store that caters to quilters, rug hookers, embroidery artists and knitters among others, and buy finished products.
“Its an incredibly rich tour," adds Meffe, “so you can spend a whole day doing nothing but fiber.”
The 11 guides will be available town wide beginning Memorial Day weekend.
Meffe says a new website — gatewaystobrandon.com — will include even more detailed information
