Getting to Business

A New Adventure

Four thrill-seeking friends who met while working as travel guides for a cycle tourism company and bonded over bikes and beer, recently became business partners and the new owners of The Village Inn located in East Burke.

During the pandemic, Mariah Grover, Caitlin Cash, Amanda Arling and Cameron Giammalva, had a little extra time on their hands to think about the next step in their careers. Although they enjoyed traveling and meeting new people, they wondered about settling into lifestyles that didn’t require living out of suitcases. Burke was a known destination for the group. They were familiar with Kingdom Trails and they were really drawn to the community and all that the area offered by way of outdoor recreation. They wanted a place they could “hang their hats,” or in this case, “hang their bikes.”

*Caitlin Cash, Mariah Grover and Cameron Giammalva. Away on adventure is Amanda Arling.*

Giammalva shares, “Our first walk through of The Village Inn was done virtually which was a little different, but the location in the middle of town, the nice size of the property and the beautiful, unique rooms grabbed our attention.” Grover stated, “The outdoor space is what really sold me – the fire pit, several outdoor gathering locations, a Jacuzzi, and Dish Mill Brook runs right by our backyard.” The group credits Amanda for planting the first seed in regards to buying the inn and Caitlin was already looking to buy property in Vermont.

The inn boasts eight rooms, all with private bathrooms. Guests can use the onsite washer and dryer, have access to a fully-equipped kitchen and can make great use of the bike storage room which features a repair stand, bike washing station and lockers to store gear. In addition to the rooms at the inn, there is an option to book a three-bedroom farmhouse located in the adjacent building. The farmhouse features an open concept floor plan with a living area and fully-equipped Chef ’s kitchen sharing the first floor. There are three bedrooms: one king and two queens. The farmhouse has a private porch, patio and riverside seating with a fire pit. It’s a great place to relax and unwind.

Ready to move forward, Realtor Libby Ratico of Tim Scott Real Estate sent the young entrepreneurs to Commercial Lender Mark Clough to discuss financing. Grover shared, “Mark made it all possible. The whole process seemed intimidating, but from the first phone call Mark was sure that we could do this and he knew right away how to help us. He introduced us to the SBA and their programs. He was awesome.”

Helping to Seal the Deal

*Mark Clough, VP and Commercial Loan Officer*

Community National Bank’s Mark Clough recalls meeting the ambitious group, “It was a pleasure to meet Mariah, Caitlin, Amanda and Cameron. They were polite, active and ambitious. They had really done their homework, so I was glad to have the opportunity to help them.” After learning about the group’s needs, Mark reached out to Ethan Swain, VP of Granite State Development Corp., to discuss setting them up to use the 504 loan program administered through the Small Business Administration.

“I recognized after our first meeting that they had the vision for this property in this specific community. What they didn’t have was the experience to go through the purchasing process. So we scheduled a Zoom call with them, and Ethan and I ran through all the steps and how we could get them there. They responded well to all our advice and we got to closing very quickly. Then with the help of attorney Carolyn Greaves, we pulled the closing together. They were a breath of fresh air to work with and I loved their energy and cooperative nature. They will do very well with this business and in this East Burke community where everyone tries to work together.”

To learn more about or to book a stay at The Village Inn of East Burke, visit villageinnvt.com.

We're "Vermont's Community Bank"

Community National Bank (CNB) is committed to helping businesses grow. We have a team of experienced commercial lenders and support staff ready to help you with your goals.

To contact a CNB commercial lender, please call a CNB office near you.

Please note by clicking any of the links inside the above video that you are leaving the Community National Bank website. These links are provided for your convenience and should not be considered as an endorsement of the products, services, or information provided, or an assurance of the security provided at the linked site.

Please note by clicking any of the links inside the above video that you are leaving the Community National Bank website. These links are provided for your convenience and should not be considered as an endorsement of the products, services, or information provided, or an assurance of the security provided at the linked site.

MacAuley's Foodservice

Wednesday, November 13, 2019, marked a major milestone for Angela MacAuley and MacAuley's Foodservice as she officially purchased the business. Her grandfather Roger MacAuley started the business on August 1, 1969. Roger reminisced, "When I started the business it was a peddle-truck operation. It was just me and one other employee and we worked out of a cellar on Brook Street with just 3 chest freezers." Celebrating their 50-year anniversary in August, MacAuley's Foodservice has grown to be a $12 million business, employing 27 full-time workers and two part-time workers. The company dispatches eight delivery trucks out of a 30,000 square-foot distribution center headed to make deliveries to locations all over Vermont and into western New Hampshire.

Angela started working for MacAuley's and her grandfather right after graduating from high school. During her 22 years, she left the company a couple of times to explore other pursuits, only to return knowing MacAuley's Foodservice was where she really wanted to be. Roger mentored Angela and coworker Jim Gallagher suggested taking college classes to learn about business management. In 2008, she and enrolled at Vermont Technical College and then transferred to Community College of Vermont where she earned an A.S. in Business.

Angela MacAuley and Roger MacAuley — Angela MacAuley with her grandfather Roger MacAuley

Earlier this year, Angela and her grandfather started talking about her prospects of taking over the company and, in July 2019, they invited Community National Bank's (CNB's) Dave Rubel for a meeting to learn about financing opportunities. Angela recalls, "Dave joined us, listened to what we wanted to do and left saying he thought he could really help us out." Dave left to find the best deal that he could to help Angela continue in her grandfather's footsteps. Angela stated, "Dave made the process easy and painless for us, but I know he did a lot of leg work to make this happen. My grandfather and I couldn't believe how great the rates were, which made making this big purchase a little less scary for me. I have so much pride in how my grandfather started this business and respect our roots starting with the delivery of fresh meats. This has been my entire life, and it's important to me to make my family members proud by bringing the business forward for the next generation." About half of the workers at the company are family members. While staying true to MacAuley's established business model, Angela is hoping to increase the company's offerings from local farmers and food producers. She strongly supports the mindset of local businesses supporting other local businesses.

Finding the Best Deal

Exploring all of the best financing options, Dave reached out to coworker Thad Richardson to learn about any member programs being offered to help small businesses. As luck would have it, Angela's situation was the perfect fit for funding being offered through FHLB Boston's Jobs for New England (JNE) initiative. JNE offers FHLB Boston members below market-rate financing for small business loans that create or preserve jobs, expand woman-, minority-, or veteran-owned businesses, or otherwise stimulate the economy in New England communities.

Dave Rubel shares, "As a community banker, I consider it a great privilege to work with local, family-operated businesses. I grew up in the Barre area and strive to be a trusted resource to my clients. I've gotten to know Mr. MacAuley over the years, and respect him immensely for his hard work and integrity, not to mention his great sense of humor. When Roger (Mr. MacAuley) introduced me to Angela, I was thrilled at the opportunity to finance the purchase of the business. She is street-smart and knows the business inside and out. MacAuley's, under Angela's leadership, and through the efforts of the company's capable team, is well positioned to continue to grow and thrive in the years to come."

Vermont's Community Bank - In Our Communities to Serve

CNB is committed to helping businesses in our communities grow. We have a team of experienced Commercial Lenders and support staff to accommodate businesses' unique borrowing needs. To learn more, please call a CNB Commercial Lender today.

Please note by clicking any of the links inside the above video that you are leaving the Community National Bank website. These links are provided for your convenience and should not be considered as an endorsement of the products, services, or information provided, or an assurance of the security provided at the linked site.

A Healthy Relationship with the RehabGYM

The RehabGYM's History

RehabGYM Exterior — Welcome to the RehabGYM - everything about it is impressively different

Sharon Gutwin had envisioned a place where Physical Therapy and Athletic Training professionals could work together to treat the full spectrum of physical health. In 2002, she opened the RehabGYM a hybrid facility with a gym as well as a physical therapy clinic. The name "RehabGYM" was chosen to combine both aspects of physical health and rehabilitation.

As a Physical Therapist, Sharon's experience and passion for health and fitness has made her a leader in promoting a healthy lifestyle and health care reform. The RehabGYM's mission is to enable and empower individuals to good health and to prevent injury and disease through safe, effective exercise and nutrition.

Sharon's first location was designed to easily expand to new locations. The RehabGYM enterprise has grown and now has three locations - Colchester, Barre, and Williston, Vermont. The RehabGYM's newest location is in Kismet Place in Blair Park, Williston. Sharon chose Assistant Vice President and Commercial Lender Will Hamilton and Community National Bank to provide financing to suit her specific needs.

Building on the Vision

Will Hamilton, CNB Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer

"At my first meeting with Sharon at her Barre location, I could see she has spent years building something special. The setting of her Barre location is welcoming; it doesn't feel like a gym at all, and it doesn't feel like any sort of medical facility either. The RehabGYM is much different than I expected of a place to recover from an injury or surgery; it's Sharon's creative vision for wellness.

RehabGYM Reception Area — Reception Area

The plan for her Williston location built on that vision. At that first meeting, she told me she wanted to build a much larger space and provide suites for other health care providers. It was a big project with a lot of moving pieces. But one piece was certain: Nothing would stop her!
We learned more about her story and her direction, and were able to offer a broad financing bundle, which included construction financing using the SBA 504 program. The construction of Kismet Place was such a fun and unique project, bringing together different aspects of health care to create something great.

Supporting entrepreneurs in our communities is what drives our bank. We are grateful to Sharon for letting Community National Bank be involved in this amazing project, and appreciate her continued efforts to keep people healthy:"

— Will Hamilton, CNB Assistant Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer

Helping the RehabGYM Thrive

Sharon Gutwin Owner of the RehabGYM with CNB AVP Will Hamilton

"Community National Bank sets itself apart from other banks in its passion to take an active role in business development. Will Hamilton expressed a genuine interest not only in my business, but in my vision of what the RehabGYM and Kismet Place would become. The process of acquiring financing was remarkably comfortable with Will's abundant support, knowledge and a bit of good humor.

I have found everyone from Community National Bank a real pleasure to work with. It is as if I have become "family" and with that a feeling of authenticity in the relationship. I know I can trust that they are committed to helping me and my business thrive.

I am deeply grateful for Community National Bank's sincere interest and investment in the RehabGYM and Kismet Place. I feel the sense of community as we partner in the vision of improving health and fitness. Together we are changing lives!"

— Sharon Gutwin, Owner of the RehabGYM and Physical Therapist

Please note by clicking any of the links inside the above video that you are leaving the Community National Bank website. These links are provided for your convenience and should not be considered as an endorsement of the products, services, or information provided, or an assurance of the security provided at the linked site.