TWO MORE WEEKS !!!

In two weeks...the Northern expansion of Olde Dickens Town will be unveiled!  The Fezziwigs, Mr. Scrooge, The Holiwell's, and The Cratchits will all make an appearance to show off their new digs. 






And perhaps ....in a far away land .... a new colonial town will show it's red, white and blue to you!  Can you smell the warm coffee and hear the church bells and the Fife and Drums?

Stay tuned....

Construction Begins !!! What a mess...

Please pardon our appearance!

I Construction has begun in Olde Dickens Town, which includes the elevation enhancements in the western part of town. 

While resources have been gathered for the elevation enhancement, local buisiness's have also been busy readying themselves for the relocation.  As of today, the earth has been supplied and is hauled to create higher elevations in town.  Currently, workers are making adjustments to the earth and rock so that it will blend in nicely with the current earth/rock that exists in the location.  These are the same "workers" that will be working in a few weeks to one month (depending on the existing construction schedule) on the Northern and Eastern expansion of Olde Dickens Town.  Materials for this phase, Phase II have been gathered and assembled but remain untouched for now.  Plans are currently being drafted for a new shopping district in the expansion.  One name tossed around by the local architects is, "Manchester Square".  Researchers and planners have taken great efforts to develop a master plan for the elevation project as well as the expansion project.  Besides the architectural allure of Olde Dickens Town, a variety of shopping venues bring visitors to town.  The expansion will recognize this fact and plans have been made to provide a new shopping district.  More details to follow, stay tuned!!

SPOTLIGHT 02 - Fezziwig's Ballroom

With a slow growing economy and sluggish expansion progress, why not spend a few minutes familiarizing ourselves with Olde Dickens Town's new business owner!  Mr. Fezzwig has decided to open a second warehouse in town and word on the cobblestone street, is pure excitement!  Mr. Fezziwig and family have been in the area for a long time.  Crucial to the local economy, the Fezzwig's have also been known to throw quite the party.  Mr. Fezziwig fancies himself a fine dancer with a belly full of laughter!  Mr. Scrooge who has committed a large sum of money to the expansion of Olde Dickens Town, has in fact worked for Mr. Fezziwig as a young man and convinced Mr. Fezziwig to relocate his business to Olde Dickens Town.  Mr. Fezzwig being a man of opportunity jumped at the offer and is eager to begin construction of his new warehouse.  He is interested in a warehouse style building with a lot of stone on the outside and tudor styled architecture.  Be sure to say hello when the Fezziwig's arrive in town.  Or better yet, find a way to attend the Fezziwig parties.  You will surely never forget the dancing and good times!

Fly into the Tavern!

Have you stepped into the Flying Horse Tavern recently?  Of course you have!  In fact I believe I have seen most of you there with a pint or two in hand.  Maybe you have seen me there as well.  But enough about that, I digress. 

The proprietors of the Flying Horse Tavern are very excited for all the changes planned in town for 2011.  They are one of the businesses that is slated to be raised in elevation.  The Owner of the tavern has been overheard saying, "This tavern has always been on top, and this move only highlights the fact even more, Cheers!"  The tavern is quite stunning.  With lead glass windows and ornate moulding, the tavern is sure to please the architectural eye.  Inside you will find dark woods and brass finishes.  Fish n Chips is served daily along with numerous pints of beer.  Both tourists and local village folk enjoy the spririts and atmosphere at this tavern.  Mr. Tipler, the tavern's neighbor, has in fact from time to time supplied the tavern with rare and exclusive wine's and ports.  Typically these can only be found at Mr. Tipler's shop. 

The tavern owners are very positive that they will continue to prosper in the village and will have absolutely no problems with revenue and customer support.  However as Mayor, I wonder with the abundance of taverns planned for the expansion area will the Flying Horse Tavern remain the "tavern on top"?  Both Mr. Tipler and the owner's of the Flying Horse have managed to retain similar customers if not the same because of the different items offered and atmosphere of each business.  However with at least four tavern's planned and possibly a fifth in the north and eastern expansion will the Flying Horse be able to retain such high profits? 

SPOTLIGHT 01 - J.D. Nichols Toy Shop

SPOTLIGHT  - As resources and funds are being collected for the great Olde Dickens Village northern and eastern expansion, this is an excellent time to take a closer look at some of the new businesses that will be moving into town. 

Mr. Nichols and his family of the current neighboring Cambridge town will be relocating to Olde Dickens Town this year.  The Nichols family are very excited to re-locate their business to town and as Mayor, I am pleased to welcome them!  The J.D. Nichols Toy Shop will be a lovely and quaint building that will sell handmade toys and treats alike. Both children and adults will love this special place not only during the holiday season but all year round.  The family intends to sell miniature train sets, rolling hoops, jacks, jumping ropes, fine porcelain dolls and many more items.  The Nichols family, a distant relative of the Crowntree's, have been packing up their store and getting ready for the big move.  While we don't anticipate most of the businesses to relocate until October/November of 2011, many of the owners will be in town to consult with the Mayor in planning this summer.  One of the familiy's primary concerns is planning a central shopping area in the expansion.  They believe in order to have a prosperous and cohesive shopping district the town should provide a strolling "center" in which residents can move about freely from shop to shop.  Gas lighting, landscaping and path/stone walkways are all being considered for the expansion. Local stone quarries will be tapped for the stone walkways that will be installed throughout the village. 

Be sure to say hello the the Nichols family when they arrive in town and give them a warm Dickens welcome!  You will be able to find their place of retail by the large brass train sign that will hang above the door.  Full steam ahead! 

Crowntree's and Candles...of course!

Everyone in town was overjoyed when the Crowntree's bought the ailing small candle shop.  Today this is a vibrant Village Candle Shop where the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Crowntree has taken to running the establishment.  Many a mornings you can catch her with wicks and sticks brimming around her wax pot.  The Crowntree's daughter has in fact lobbyed for village enhancements such as the potted poinsettia's during the holidays and also the holiday garlands and wreaths placed throughout the marketplace. 

Throughout the candle shop you can not only find a wide variety of candles, but scented goodies and tapers as well.  Scents such as bayberry, cranberry and fresh lavender.  Everyone in town can relate to some of the deplorable sanitation, but with the goodies sold at the Village Candle Shop, one can enjoy a more pleasant homestead.  These treats are not cheap and quite a shilling will need to be tendered for such a luxury. A sure holiday gift!  Be sure to stop and enjoy the atmosphere! 

For Immediate Press Release 2011-02

The Crowntree Family has donated a considerable amount of money to the Northern and Eastern expansion project of Olde Dickens Town.  Mr. and Mrs. Crowntree (quite the Gentleman and Lady) pictured to the left leaving the inn, have publicly supported this grand expansion.  The Crowntree family have played a key role in this town for many generations and have pledged to continue their financial endeavors.  The Crowntree's have spent a signficant amount of time convincing Mr. Crowntree's nephew, Mr. Ebeneezer Scrooge to relocate to Olde Dickens Town.  Apparently the both sat for an extended period of time and chatted over a leisurely pipe.   One can only presume the nature of the conversation.  Mrs. Crowntree indicated that her daughter Belle (manager of the Village Candle Shop) would indeed be moving into her own residence to be built in the North and Eastern Expansion.  Mr. Scrooge has always shown a kind heart to Belle and local townspeople have gossiped that this could be why Mr. Scrooge is moving his entire operation to Olde Dickens Town.  Of course, the townspeople knowing a bit about dear Mr. Scrooge have also gossiped around town that by no means did they anticipate Mr. Scrooge to financially back any such endeavor.  Why that would just be soooo unlike Mr. Scrooge.  The Town Mayor has been kept informed of all buisness arrangements between the Crowntree family and Mr. Scrooge but for some reason most of the towns people do not believe this to be completely accurate.  While they hold the Crowntree's with complete respect, they do not trust Mr. Scrooge and his intentions. 

I guess like many people say, we shall see....