VBSR Member News Round Up – 5/8/24

Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont: Gold Member BCBSVT has started their Mountain Days program for 2024. The annual tradition invites neighbors to hike their way to a healthy summer. The in-person kick-off event is on Saturday, May 11th from 10 AM – 2 PM at the site of their first-ever event on Mt. Wantastiquet in West Chesterfield, NH. This mountain serves as the beautiful backdrop of Brattleboro’s downtown, outlined behind the Connecticut River. BCBSVT will provide free Mountain Day t-shirts, healthy snacks, and water for participants. No RSVP is required, and the event is open to all. Can’t make it to Brattleboro? There’s a way to join in the challenge virtually! Learn more here.

CATMA: Bikeshare company Bird is back in business in Burlington and beyond, according to VBSR member Chittenden Area Transportation Management Association (CATMA). It re-launched March 18 for the 2024 season and in the first four weeks of the relaunch there were 4,000 rides totaling about 4,500 miles of riding (this included eclipse visitors). "Despite facing headwinds, Bird is here and has exhibited a commitment to our community including a carefully thought-out relaunch plan," CATMA said in a statement. Learn more here.

Gardener's Supply Company: Gold Member Gardener's Supply Company is opening a new location on Shelburne Road. The nursery – a smaller building with fewer signature hard goods and plants – is a new concept for the company. They are also partnering with Morgan Brook Farm, who will have a food truck on site serving burgers and other offerings. The idea is to create a sense of community – even if just for commuters in the area – where there’s been an empty lot for some time. Learn more here.

VEOC: Vermont Employee Ownership Center (VEOC) is holding their annual VEOC conference on Friday, May 31, in Burlington. The one-day event brings together the most dynamic minds from the employee ownership community in shared celebration of broad-based employee ownership. Melissa Hoover of the Democracy at Work Institute is the keynote speaker. Learn more here.

Jasper Hill Farm, Runamok Maple, AO Glass: Local Maverick, the Vermont platform dedicated to promoting and elevating the local experience, has announced the grand opening of its Vermont Marketplace in New York City (at the Oculus World Trade Center), set to open its doors on June 1st, 2024. Established in Burlington, Vermont in 2020, Local Maverick has been at the forefront of connecting consumers with the finest local offerings, ranging from food and drink to art, craft, and wellness products. Jasper Hill Farm, Runamok Maple, and AO Glass are among the VBSR members who will be featured in the new space. Learn more here.