I Have A Feeling, Woohoo *

Just as events, or an era, sneaks up on us, like the recent "financial downturn" ( such a kind, and gentle term for a depression) the recovery sneaks up on up on us as well.

It is coming.  As a matter of fact, it is already be here.  How can I make such a statement?  I am just reading the signs as they poke their heads from that recessionary ooze, and I have this feeling.

Signs?  Yes, small signs to the world, but in my world, big ones, enough to give that certain feeling.

Let's start with local businesses.  The Sturbridge Coffee House is moving to a new location where Romaldo's Restaurant was until recently.  Amazing.  A coffee house a few doors down from Dunkin' Donuts, of all places, survived the recession, grew, and is now able to move a larger space.

Think about that for a moment.  They actually grew enough to move to a newer, bigger space.  They grew all the while directly competing with DD's, and now, they have the munchkins to move directly next door to Dunkin's.

Yeah, they got brass munchkins alright, and they are telling the world that they have had enough with all this negative "world in financial chaos" talk.  They're doing fine, and are movin' on up.

The restaurant, formerly known as the Cedar Street Restaurant, is being rebuilt with a  huge new addition, and a new name, The Cedar Street Grill.  This is something one does not do when things are bad.  Either the new owners have captured a genie with unlimited wishes, or they have great confidence in their product,and where the world is going financially.  Confidence doesn't come from guessing, either.  It is a feeling, that is grown from reading the signs.  It's all about reading the signs.

The Charles River Wine Company, a town based distributor of fine wines since 2004 has won Planning Board approval to move his distributorship to the long empty building beside the Hearthstone Inn where Romaldo's once was.  The new store would move from offices located in the Sturbridge Marketplace at the Falls on Main Street, and offer to the general public the same 600 plus fine wines they have sold wholesale through their distributorship.  They will also offer New England produced goods, cheeses, and foods.  This is a big step for a six year old company.  A step one doesn't usually make unless they are ready, and the future looks good.

They have read the signs, too.  They also have that feeling.

There will be businesses closing their doors like New England Graphics at the Marketplace at the Falls will do in late December, but they aren't so much closing as they are bringing the curtain down after a successful 28 year run, and will keep the business going at their other place on Route 12 in Auburn.  This was planned long ago.  There will be businesses, like Romaldo's, closing their doors for different reasons more related to the economy.  This is, or course sad, but when we pull back, and look down at the entire picture of what is going on here in town, we can see that there are those that are making it, too.

Yes, I have a feeling that this going to be a good year.  A good, good year. *


*Apologies to the Black-Eyed Peas.