When our editorial team first envisioned this feature months back, we couldn’t wait to share these seven picturesque burgs with you that boast delicious food, excellent shopping and one-of-a-kind events and fests. Who doesn’t love an amazing hidden gem, free of tourists and run-of-the-mill cuisine?
However, when the coronavirus pandemic reached crisis mode in late February and into March, we knew we’d have to temper these small-town stories with a caveat: that we know many of the businesses mentioned may very well be temporarily closed or operating on limited hours when you read this magazine. Many small businesses right now are facing hardship and loss of revenue, while locals and visitors alike have to stay away from shops, restaurants, bars and gathering places. As of press time it’s not clear when these businesses can reopen fully again for customers.
But, these mighty towns also give us the promise of hope; after all, these mom-and-pop shops and small businesses have thrived against all odds in these small towns. They create the very fabric of our state. Even if you can’t visit these special places now, you will be able to again—hopefully later this spring or summer. And trust us, they’ll be worth the wait.
