Encampment to get new business

The Encampment Town Council expressed economic excitement Thursday when it learned a new business may be coming.

Alyson Sneddon, owner and president of Wind Swept Accounting and Tax Services, told the town council she wanted to rent the retail space, which sat vacant after Aunt Martha’s This ’n That closed last May. Sneddon had already provided the council with a letter of intent and business plan for the space, located directly next to Encampment Town Hall, and said she would sublease it for vendors under the name “The Red Wagon.”

According to Sneddon’s business plan, the Red Wagon could accommodate 20 separate vending areas for people who have products to sell.

“We will model it like Aspen Sky Merchants and lease vendor space,” Sneddon said. “We want to give an opportunity for people in the area who have a product they want to sell.”

Sneddon’s plan said the Red Wagon would develop a business incubator atmosphere, and a work area would provide individuals and businesses a place where amenities needed to run a business are available at an affordable price. Amenities would include internet, computer, printer, copier and telephone access for those who need it.

Other features for the building, as indicated in Sneddon’s business plan, include a lending library, a coffee shop, Wi-Fi capabilities, adult and children’s workshops, vendor spotlights, artist meet-and-greets, open houses, teas, business roundtable topics and educational programs. Community members were also encouraged to bring hand-crafting projects, a book to read or their laptop computer when coming to the center.

Sneddon expressed great enthusiasm over all the possibilities that could take place under one roof.

“People can use a printer or the internet, and we’ll have Wi-Fi and a small coffee shop in there,” she said. “People can come in and give workshops or classes, and we could bring local artists in to do crafting, arts or stuff for kids. Our library could also have book exchange, and people can come in and read or do hand-craft projects. Our tagline will be ‘Jump in the Red Wagon, let’s see where we’ll go.’”

The town council accepted and approved Sneddon’s business plan, but an opening date is still undecided at this time.

In other matters, the council discussed a food drive currently happening at the Encampment K-12 School. It was made known that all interested in contributing can drop off food at the school during its regular in-session hours.

Also approved by the council was free usage of the Grand Encampment Opera House for the Encampment/Riverside Volunteer Fire Department’s Christmas party this year.