Travessia's first media coverage

What's this?  Blog posts on consecutive days?  I know that I’m not supposed to "spam" my blog subscribers with too many posts, but I think I have a pretty good excuse for this one.

Today, Travessia Winery received its first coverage in the local media.  Here is the link to the article written by João Ferreira of the New Bedford Standard Times.  Read it through if you feel like it and have the time.

I’m a frequent reader of João’s weekly column and rarely see any reader leaving comments on the online version.  So I was excited to see a comment for the piece on Travessia.  Someone who goes by the name of “CrunchyQuahog” left the following comment:

I have no idea as to who is the CrunchyQuahog, but I’m not surprised by his/her comment.  In fact I bet that there are people out there who know me personally who have a similar negative feeling about what I’m doing as it’s implied in the comment.  I understand and accept that.  I take it as a challenge.  But more importantly, this gives me a great opportunity to briefly write about New Bedford, specifically the downtown area.

New Bedford is like several (most) American cities which were “rich” in the not too distant past, full of employment opportunities, great economic growth, reasonable crime rates, etc.  Today, the city faces many challenges and businesses of all kinds have a difficult time staying alive or growing.  From illegal immigration issues to crime related problems, New Bedford, the 7th largest city in Massachusetts, struggles to bring back the dynamics and thriving local economy it once sustained.

The comment left by the reader is not shocking.  I have seen businesses come and go in the downtown area of New Bedford.  Nobody knows for sure why this happens.  Some blame it on the local economy.  Personally I tend to think that most businesses fail for two main reasons… First, many people don’t do their homework and as a result they fail to realize that their idea might not be very feasible.  Secondly, they lack the necessary cash flow needed to establish the business and survive the difficult first few years.  As I have stated before, I’m taking a considerable risk.  Maybe TRAVESSIA Winery will become another failed downtown business.  But am I excited to take on this challenge?!  And from the comments and emails I’m getting on almost a daily basis, I can tell that I’m not alone.  People seem to be genuinely excited about this.  My hope is that these same people translate their excitement into actual business support with their hard-earned dollars when I deliver the promised goods sometime this coming Fall.

Let me also mention that there are already several small businesses downtown that are striving and contributing very positively to the rebirth of the downtown area.  The Green Bean, No Problemo, The White Bouquet, Café Arpeggio are just some examples right on Purchase Street.  Sure these are not huge businesses that generate many jobs but they are what they intend to be and offer services that are needed.  For a more in-depth retrospective of the past and present of New Bedford, Wikipedia is a good source. 

A final thought about the "CrunchyQuahog"

Here is one of the few problems I have with the internet… people like CrunchyQuahog can just lurk around and leave comments all over the place without identifying who they really are.  Not only is this a cowardly tactic, it leaves people guessing.  Who is this person?  A failed business owner?  The next door neighbor?  A world-class nay-sayer?  But indentity is just a small part of the problem.  More importantly, chances are that this person could actually teach me something that I don’t already know.  Instead the easiest path was taken:  point out the negative, offer no interesting or relevant commentary.  Whomever he/she is, I am 99% sure that this person will soon be drinking my wine.  Then they will obviously find a way to secretly write about how bad the wine is, but… they will go back again to drink some more.

Comments

[Allan]

Hey Marco, good for you for taking the high road! Don't let these nay-sayers bring any negativity into your dreams and passions. I applaud you for taking the initiative and huge leap into turning your passion of wine making into a reality.

I personally am looking forward to having a taste of your newly branded wine. If only I didn't have to deal with the border to smuggle it across...

Cheers,
Allan

[Marco]

Allan, thanks for your comment - it means a lot to me. No worries, I'm an experienced smuggler... all we have to do is arrange a transfer point :-)

Marco,
What people who read the article don't know is how bright and determined a person you are. Travessia will be a great success because of you!!!! Q.C. should get to know the name because here to stay.......
Love Catrinka
Go Go Go Marcolino!!!!!!!!!!

[Elisa]

How rude!!!
I continue to send good thoughts your way and applaud your determination and the courage you have to follow your dreams/passion.

P.S. I never did like quahogs!