Weaving a storyline through a concept–an event, a series of events, a restaurant, an organization

For Sugarbush Resort’s 60th Anniversary, we planned a celebration that carried throughout the 2018-2019 ski season. We released Sugarbush Magazine’s Diamond Jubilee issue in the fall of 2018, telling stories of the mountain’s founding, its original aprés ski scene, and the lodges and restaurants of the past. We searched through photo archives, and mounted a permanent display of historic photos in Gate House Lodge, the main base lodge. We mounted a season-long display of historic items like lift signs, ski instructor and patrol uniforms, and trail maps in Rumble’s Bar & Bistro, the resort’s main restaurant. We partnered with National Public Radio’s The Moth to host a sold-out Moth StorySLAM at the resort, capturing stories from the mountain’s past. We inaugurated the Sugarbush Wall of Fame, recognizing key members of the Sugarbush community who contributed to the mountain’s founding in a public ceremony. This event also included a reception for inductees and their families (who traveled from as far as Barcelona, Spain), videos telling the story of each inductee, and the dedication of a wall in Gate House Lodge to host the inductee’s photos.

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Sugarbush Resort wanted to downscale their main restaurant, Timbers, into a more casual, dining experience. Working with the food and beverage team, we came up with a concept for Rumble’s Kitchen, a bistro-style restaurant named after the resort owner’s Bernese Mountain Dog Rumble (who was named after the black-diamond run off the Castlerock lift). We worked with a local sign-maker to craft exterior signage using the dog’s profile. We invited employees to share photos of their dog friends, and printed and framed a series of dog portraits for display in the restaurant’s interior. We rewrote and redesigned the menu in a nod to Rumble, and made the restaurant’s exterior patio dog-friendly. Lastly, we repurposed an old bulletin board into a place for customers to share their dog photos.

We held a Grand Opening for two sister restaurants and their catering arm in an industrial brewery in downtown Schenectady. We partnered with Proctors Collaborative, the Capital Region’s leading arts organization. The evening showcased four unique spaces, each of which served a themed menu. The cafe played french bistro music and served salads, soups, breads, and cookies; the VIP lounge/patio played rock music and served sliders and quesadillas; the atrium was set for a wedding, with passed hors d’oeuvres, a wedding cake and cupcakes; and the basement bar was set for a birthday party, with a pretzel bar w/ dipping sauces and beers. Raffle tickets and food item gift cards were sold throughout the night, benefitting Proctors. A donation of over $5,000 was raised for Proctors, with media coverage on News Channel 13,, New York Local News, and Berkshire Onstage.