Feeling the love
Warm welcome leads Ontario family to decide to move to Bridgetown
Moving to Bridgetown wasn’t the initial plan for Marnee Bruno and her family.
But the warm welcome they received, plus what they witnessed first-hand in the community, has altered the game plan.
Bruno, her husband Massimo, and 12-year-old daughter Francesca live in Toronto, but they will be moving to the Annapolis County community year-round after the school year.
The Brunos and a silent partner bought the Bridgetown Motor Inn in mid-August. Marnee said they knew it would be a good investment with lots of potential, but what they found was so much more.
“At first, we didn’t even think we would move,” Marnee said. “We were looking at how to operate this vintage, beautiful gem of a motel that needed to be refurbished, restored and loved again. …
“(But) the more we were exposed to the Valley and its people, the harder it was to leave,” she added. “We just felt so at home and so welcomed.”
DECIDING FACTOR
The Brunos have run a few events to get to know the community and for the community to get to know them. One of them was a pumpkin parade on Nov. 1, where people brought their pumpkins to the inn.
Something Francesca said struck Marnee.
“She said, ‘Gosh, I didn’t know there were so many kids my age here.’”
A few days later, Francesca said she could see attending Grade 8 in Bridgetown, so they took a tour of the school.
“That blew her away,” Marnee recalled. “All of a sudden, our vantage point shifted to through her eyes.”
The family’s future would be in Bridgetown.
“So, we decide to go all in and move,” Marnee said. “Now, we cannot wait to get there.”
COMMUNITY RESPONSE
Jennifer D’Aubin said she has heard similar stories to the Bruno family’s in the past.
“It’s not shocking that they came here and did fall in love,” said the president of the Bridgetown Area Chamber of Commerce.
“This is one of those places
that there are so many stories of people that come here for a visit, or they come for vacation, or come to visit family and within a year or two they’re looking for a place and they’re moving here. …
“There just seems to be something almost magical about the place that it catches you.”
The community noticed the new energy and activity around the inn.
“When they came here, they immediately started trying to connect with the
community,” D’Aubin said. “I think right from the get-go, we made a good impression on them, but they made a good impression on us too.”
FIRST TRIP
Before the Brunos purchased the inn, they had never been to Bridgetown.
Marnee had been to Wolfville about eight years ago on a business trip.
“I phoned my husband and said, ‘You need to see this part of the world. I feel like I am in a mini, little Tuscany. The vineyards are gorgeous, and you need to look at the food scene here.’”
The couple had a young family and were building their business in Toronto, so they never made it back. But when the inn became available, Marnee recalled the area and was intrigued.
“It’s no secret what an incredible part of the world Nova Scotia is,” she said. “And part of what Nova Scotia is known for is the warmth of its people.”
Massimo is a chef from southern Italy, and they operate an Italian supper club in Toronto. He also runs a tourism business that offers authentic experiences to Italy.
“For the past couple of years … we’ve been sort of asking ourselves, what’s next?” Marnee said. “We’re builders. What would we like to create next and what do we value?”
And then the motor inn opportunity presented itself.
“From a food, agriculture, vineyard (perspective), the area of the Annapolis Valley is like this hidden secret,” Marnee said. “What was pretty exciting was how much there was to explore in terms of food, wines and community and travel.”
JUST GETTING STARTED
The Brunos want to make the inn a destination for tourists and the community’s residents.
Marnee said the couple are entrepreneurs and builders with a creative side. They are operating the inn year-round this year, have upgraded rooms and amenities and plan to bring a restaurant to the site.
“We value community and connection and let me tell you, we value prosperity,” Marnee said.
But they are also mindful of the community. They don’t want to compete with another business and have already shown a willingness to change event plans, so they don’t duplicate what is already here.
FEEDBACK
The family fell in love with Bridgetown and Annapolis County and now wants to hear the community’s love story. It has a contest that closes Feb. 14 where it is asking people to submit a poem, song, painting, macrame, knitting or any unique expression that shares what Bridgetown and Annapolis County means to them.
All items will be showcased at the inn later in the month and online through the Bridgetown Community Forum on Facebook. Three winners will also be selected, with the grand prize being a two-night stay at the inn.
The idea was to brighten the month of February by focusing on the positive things.
“It’s a short month, but it can be a tough one. … We’re over the romance of winter,” Marnee said. “I believe what you focus upon expands.
So, let’s focus on, and get people expressing, what’s so great about the county and Bridgetown.”