
I believe a major event occurred in Essex on December 10th—a meeting was held to brainstorm and assess the needs and future of the Essex & Whallonsburg economic community. An unbelievable 25 individuals(!!!!) attended, some representing several organizations, all wanting to make an effort to explore how to unify the community and to promote and support economic vitality in Essex, Whallonsburg and the region.
Micro Metropolis?

I think the cold weather has gotten the best of me… Do you ever wonder what goes on under that frozen crust of ice on the lake or pond or river? I’m beginning to look at Essex in a similar way…. it may appear at first glance that Essex/Whallonsburg is this sleepy, quiet, dormant community. But tap on the ice, or go bolder, drill a hole and throw in some bait, and you could be as amazed as I was to see what lies beneath, a bustling micro-metropolis! Swimming schools of fish or a lone large mouth bass, the range of businesses, organizations, and individuals contributing to the local economy here in Essex is as varied as the many species of fish cruising under the ice.
Just take a look at this list: the national model for CSA Farming (Essex Farm, Full and By, Reber Rock); CFES; CATS; The Grange Hall; Two Wellness Centers with top notch practitioners (Lake Champlain Yoga & Wellness and NEW Health); The Arts (Adirondack Art Association and our many independent artists); History (Historic Essex); The Theater (Essex Theater, CVFS); Lodging (Essex Inn, Cupola House, Cabins By the Lake); Dining (Essex Inn, Pink Pig, Dock House, Essex Ice Cream Cafe, Chez Lin); Retail (Neighborhood Nest, Pantoufs, Pink Pig, Cupola Gallery, RENEW); Education (Lakeside School); Library; Churches; Marinas/Boating; Housing Rentals; Small Businesses (DAK Bar, MacMan, PAC Studio, Bateman Design, Bateman Architecture, Emmet Carter Design, Hall Design, Heritage Properties, Pedal Power, Cloudsplitter, Gardner’s Heating, Pribble Excavating); the Essex on Lake Champlain Blog; and more!
This is all going on in Essex, really!! I am sure I’ve missed someone or maybe we’ve not heard from you? Our next meeting is coming up, a perfect opportunity to get involved!
January 14th Meeting at the Essex Inn
Our second meeting will be held at the Essex Inn (Major Thanks to Keith and Lanai for the offer to host!) on Tuesday January 14th at 6:30pm. Please RSVP to egphillips@me.com so I can give the Inn a rough headcount and also so I’m not completely blown away by the overwhelmingly large number of folks attending!
The agenda as it currently stands (a few changes may be made prior to the meeting):
Essex-Whallonsburg Entrepreneurs’ Meeting Agenda
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
6:30 p.m.
At the Essex Inn, Essex, NY
Purpose of Meeting: To continue efforts to strategically plan a cohesive, collaborative, cooperative, and inclusive group of Essex & Whallonsburg Entrepreneurs to promote and benefit the community.
Our Mission: Promote economic vitality, quality of life and sense of community in Essex, the Boquet River Valley and surrounding areas.
Our Name?: Essex- Whallonsburg Entrepreneurs (E.W.E), other suggestions?
Group Committees:
Organizational- Michelle Maron & Emily Phillips – Co-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, etc.
Marketing-
Website-
Additional- ?
Our Liaisons:
Town of Essex; Essex Initiatives; Westport Chamber; Willsboro Dev. Corp.
Possible Goals of Group to Consider:
- – Support Essex Initiatives community group that organizes events year round in Essex.
- – Contribute to Essex on Lake Champlain Blog- Online community blog resource with events calendar and daily/weekly posts. Stay Tuned for a workshop for the Blog!
- – Collaborate with Town of Essex.
- – Create material to promote and market Essex.
- – Organize Bi-Monthly or quarterly social mixers at local businesses.
- – Part of the Lake Champlain Region –Willsboro Dev. Corp; Westport Chamber of Commerce -Mixer at Westport Hotel and Tavern, January 23rd 5:30 -7:30pm
Other efforts, ideas?
When Do We Meet Again?
February – Suggestions?
Bi-monthly Social Mixer at one of our local businesses; name out of a hat to decide location?
Related articles
- Thank You, Essex Blog Readers, Writers and Boosters (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Essex Initiatives’ Holiday Projects (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Vintage Postcard: Essex Bay (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
- Essex-Whallonsburg Entrepreneurs Meeting (www.essexonlakechamplain.com)
