By Polly Lynn
Business has been good this summer for many area businesses with increased activities at Killington Resort, (mostly) cooperative weather and a growing local and national economy; now more are looking to join their ranks. This month, the region has officially welcomed a few new businesses and business owners to the community.
Phoenix Books on Center Street in downtown Rutland will officially open Monday, Sept. 28, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. Last Thursday it unofficially opened its doors allowing customers to check out the new store while employees filled the shelves with books. Co-owner and manager Tricia Huebner and co-owner Mike DeSanto are thrilled with the communities early support of their newest store. Rutland’s Phoenix Books is the third of it’s kind owned by umbrella company Maple Tree Books. The other two stores are located in Essex and Burlington.
Mendon Mini Golf and Snack Bar on Route 4 also opened recently, much to the delight of many locals and visitors. While not all features are operational, putt-putt golfers have enjoyed the diverse features since it first opened Sept. 13. It is now open seven days a week.
Owners Tim and Carolyn McBain of Mendon designed the 18-hole course to include iconic Vermont features such as a red barn, a covered bridge, a gold mine, a marble quarry, a Bennington Battle Monument, maple syrup, a ski slope, a swamp, and the Long Trail.
The former Grey Bonnet Inn and Resort in Killington was recently purchased by a local couple formerly from Proctor. The 41-room inn is nestled on about 20 acres along Route 100. The new owners have now begun extensive renovations, according to local reports. No plans have yet been made public about what they envision for the property’s future.
Earlier this summer Ron Ferro sold Over Easy’s restaurant in Cuttingsville, to new owners Greg and Donna Ganzer, who have recently reopened the restaurant as “The Rustic Rooster.” Greg and Donna Ganzer both have extensive experience in the restaurant industry. They officially opened The Rustic Rooster, Sept. 1; it is open for lunch and dinner.
