Chezsven Blog: Wellfleet Today: Thoughts on Innkeeping Year-round in Wellfleet

Thursday, January 06, 2011

Thoughts on Innkeeping Year-round in Wellfleet

As many of you know, I have been a member of the Economic Development Committee for two years. One of the first recommendations of this committee was a comprehensive Web site that would promote Wellfleet as “a town for all seasons” rather than merely a summer destination. I have come to believe that while this is a worthy goal, most tourists will stay away in "quiet" season. Chez Sven’s foreign guests start visiting the United States in March but attracting American visitors at that period of the year is much more difficult. Before the recession, we had guests in Seagull Cottage every weekend. Now no one even inquires about rates. The good in this is that Americans are saving money, rather than spending it. The bad is that running a year-round business on the Outer Cape has become even harder. Anyone who wants to open an inn or B&B here needs to know winter will be a struggle. The same is true for most restaurants. Many restaurant owners choose to close in either December, January, or February, or some combination of two of these months.

As we enter 2011, I would love hearing from you with suggestions of topics to cover, or locations in Wellfleet that you care about and want to see in winter garb. Today marks the 5th anniversary of Chez Sven Blog: Wellfleet Today. Quite incredible!

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Christine · 741 weeks ago

I would certainly be interested in hearing more about what is going on on the Cape in winter. Not just in Wellfleet, but the surrounding areas as well, so I can let people know what the Cape offers in the off-season. Can't believe you've been blogging for 5 years - congratulations on that wonderful milestone!
My recent post The last first birthday

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Merr · 741 weeks ago

I am most interested in reading more about how your local issues are translated globally - or vice versa. You present these in an interesting, yet easy to comprehend manner.

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NoPotCooking · 741 weeks ago

Congrats on 5 years of blogging! I can imagine how hard the innkeeping business must be in the winter. While I love the Cape, in the winter, I just want to go somewhere warm if I am able to travel. I enjoy reading your blog and look forward to hearing more about your fight against pesticides, happenings in your town, and life on the Cape
My recent post Halibut with Rye Dip

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Stan · 741 weeks ago

Five years - wow ! I'm a big fan of your photography and love seeing off-season Wellfleet looking so different than I know it. I'd love to see some of the smaller kettle ponds during times of ice and snow. Thanks for your vigilance and activism, I really appreciate your blog - cheers, Stan.

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Champion of My Heart · 741 weeks ago

Wow. 5 years is a huge accomplishment. So many blogs fizzle out over time. Personally, because I live in a rather small town too, I like to read about community features about the interesting people and places around you. And, I agree with Stan ... your activism on certain topics is inspiring.

For example, are there any flocks of birds or schools of fish dying around you? That whole thing is really creeping me out, and I suspect that you have some good ideas on the topic.
My recent post Lilly’s Herding Instinct Test- Part 2

1 reply · active 741 weeks ago

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chezsven 82p · 741 weeks ago

I have not heard about this happening on the Cape, but Sven told me Sweden had a similar incident. I think we are all eager to hear what is going on!

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Casey · 741 weeks ago

Happy blogging anniversary! It's a simple suggestion, but I love reading about your take on day-to-day issues, duties, activities, so please keep it up. Your perspective is witty, smart, perceptive, and it makes my day.
My recent post Petite Tartines for the Oven-less

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Vera Badertscher · 741 weeks ago

Huge congratulations on keeping people interested in the Cape for five years now.That's a wonderful record, and makes you a sort of pioneer of the blogging craze!
As for winter in the Cape, I'm not much help. I came to Arizona to get away from cold and snow. Of course hospitality industry here has traditionally shut down in the summer, but they've gradually stretched that into a year round tourism. Restaurants no longer close, for example--so maybe you'll accomplish the same in winter on the Cape.
I'll stay warm at home, but always enjoy reading about your blustery weather.
My recent post Pioneer Road Trips- Montana

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Susan Johnston · 741 weeks ago

Congrats on your fifth blogaversary! I agree with Stan that some nice winter photography would be of interest.

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Alisa · 741 weeks ago

Happy anniversary!
My recent post Live Regret Free- Day 3

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Living Large · 741 weeks ago

Five years on a blog is quite the accomplishment, congratulations! Attracting visitors to anyplace in cold winter months is a challenge and I'm sure it's very challenging and frustrating for you and other year around business owners. I was watching a show this morning and they suggested a vacation to upstate NY (sorry, I can't remember which town now), that has a lot of summer tourists. It said the inns switch from "summer mode" to cozy ones with open fireplaces and the restaurants are much easier to get into than in the summer. I think what any town needs is a draw such as this in the winter. Think ice sculpture competitions, some type of winter sport draw, romantic getaways, some type of special museum exhibit, etc. But for sure, the shops and restaurants would have to be on board and stay open.

1 reply · active 741 weeks ago

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chezsven 82p · 741 weeks ago

You are right. What we did in past years was romantic getaways, because our cottage is perfect for that. Lots of privacy, too. But interest waned with the recession, dramatically.

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kerry · 741 weeks ago

I enjoy traveling to colder places in winter, but as my own work has taken a bit of a downturn, I'm one of those who has not been doing that so often of late. So I especially enjoy your take on the Cape in winter.
Also, my Massachusetts travels usually take me to Cambridge. I'd be interested to hear about public transportation ways to get to and around the Cape from there ( and other places), especially in the off season.
and congratulations on your anniversary, all the best for the future
My recent post road trip music- American northwest

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Stephanie -Wasabimon · 741 weeks ago

I prefer off-season destinations, where you get to experience a place's real culture outside of the tourist bubble. I like locals when they're in their natural habitat, unfettered by strangers.
My recent post Congee- the Perfect Cold Season Soup

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Cat · 741 weeks ago

How about a piece on what to do in Wellfleet in the winter (like a favorite winter hike or walk, or favorite winter kettle pond), complete with a listing of post-adventure "warm up" activities. There are great outdoor things to do in Wellfleet (Great Island or Duck Harbor), for those of a hearty constitution, to be followed up with a listing (with photos) for:
1) best hot chocolate and pastry in Wellfleet
2) best warm place to rewarm your toes (in front of Chez Sven's fireplace)
3) favorite warm gallery?
4) favorite warm drink, and recipe or where to find it?
5) favorite winter view?

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janet · 741 weeks ago

Happy anniversary! I'd like more posts about the outer Cape's sustainability, both environmental and economic. I know they're interconnected. How about some quiet places for walking , like the Audubon sanctuary in winter, or any time of year. A great place for a Sunday afternoon is your Wellfleet library. I appreciate those Sunday hours in winter. North Eastham's Chocolate Cafe has wonderful cappuccinos and scones, as well as chocolate, over near the friendly Eastham hardware store. I have to admit that keeping track of restaurants and their open hours and days and months is mind-boggling. On the other hand it's a pleasure to drive with so little traffic, and it's much easier to look around. There's a wetu being built out in front of the Salt Pond visitor center, which will be brought inside to be part of a new Native American exhibit to open this year.
Have fun in Boston!

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MyKidsEatSquid · 741 weeks ago

Happy Anniversary! I like Cat's idea about doing posts on winter activities in the area. I also like visiting a place off-season, but if there's a beach involved, I must admit I'd want to be able to see a little sun and enjoy warm temps.

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sarah henry · 741 weeks ago

Congrats to you on your 5th anniversary. Impressive. I love the photos from your neck of the woods (pics of the sea and sand always make me feel calm and happy). And I appreciate your insider's perspective on inn keeping and your consistent coverage of all manner of environmental matters.

That said, have a well-earned respite in Boston and I look forward to your return.
My recent post June Taylor’s Artisan Way With Fruit

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Jennifer Margulis · 741 weeks ago

Five years of blogging is totally impressive.

I really appreciate your environmental posts, your book reviews, and also your calls to action.

I'd like to read more about how you are changing your life to make less impact.

I'd like to read about your adventures in not using your car (not that you have any but if you ever do.)

I also really appreciate your photographs and the vignettes from your life. The cross-cultural perspective is fascinating and I'd like to read more about your time in France and how that has changed/influenced you.

Thank you for this blog. I really love it.
My recent post ACEP’s 2011 Journalism Awards of Excellence for Coverage of Emergency Medicine Issues

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Donna Hull · 739 weeks ago

Five years of blogging is amazing. I know what hard and ongoing work this is for you. Thanks for taking me to Wellfleet. I enjoy your photos and posts about life on Cape Cod. Your enviromental posts are also enlightening. Guess this is a long winded way of seeing keep on doing what you are doing.
My recent post Ragged Point Inn- Rooms With a View on the Big Sur Coast

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