City Smarts: As Vermont's largest "city," Burlington is a hip, laid-back, happening town with more to offer than many cities three or four times its size. Burlington's population is about 40,000. Because of its sophistication, and the fact that it nestles between Lake Champlain, North America's sixth-largest lake and superb mountains, insiders refer to Burlington as "Little Seattle." It's an apt comparison, made even better by the fact that Burlington was recently honored as the Healthiest City in America. In the past, it has won awards as America's #1 Dream Town, Best Town for Families, Best Walking Town, and a Top Ten City for Arts and Culture.
A thriving college town, Burlington is home to the University of Vermont, Champlain College and St. Michael's College. The heart of the city is historic Church St. Marketplace. Top employers are IBM, Fletcher Allen Health Care, IDX Corporation and Burton Snowboards.
Out of the city’s modest population of roughly 40,000, Burlington has about 700 Blacks according to the 2000 census. The racial makeup of the city was 92.27 percent white, 1.78 percent Black or African American, 0.47 percent Native American, 2.65 percent Asian, 0.02 percent Pacific Islander, 0.54 percent from other races and 2.27 percent from two or more races.
Jetsetter: Though Burlington offers a laid-back retreat setting for business think thanks, diversity is deficient. Searching for an African-American owned business in Burlington is like looking for a needle in a haystack. However, one need only trek to North Winooski Avenue when in need of an eclectic jolt of international flavor. Charles Narh, a native of Ghana, opened the Mawuhi African Market on North Winooski Street ─ introducing the town to African commodities. The store carries a medley of African and American-American products. Inside, you’re likely to find anything from wigs and hair goods to African foods and condiments to Obama merchandise. Burlington has a growing population of African refugees ─ Somalians, Guineans, Sudanese ─ which Nash markets to, including other nationalities. A Global Market, also located on North Winooski Avenue, is one of few sources for “halal food” in the entire state. Halal food is that which is seen as permissible according to Islamic law (Quran), and most Muslims follow halal food standards. A Caribbean cafe/buffet is reportedly also on North Winooski Avenue. Inability to ever reach the establishment led us to believe that the owner must have standing-room-only swarms of folks waiting in line for goat curry and jerk wings, leaving no reason to succumb to a ringing telephone. Visions of Caribbean fare being served from one of those breezy little phoneless huts on the beach in Montego Bay come to mind. For more information on the Mawuhi African Market, call 802- 862-1100.
Getting’ Around: Burlington is served by a city bus system, many taxis and rental cars from all major agencies. The most convenient way for a visiting businessperson to tour the countryside would be to rent a car.
Survival Kit: In the summer, pack hiking boots or shoes for mountain excursions, a swimsuit for Lake Champlain, binoculars for the stunning views and hearty appetites for the scores of fine restaurants.
Catching ZZZ’s: My pick of two recommended business hotels are both located on Lake Champlain's spectacular waterfront. The Courtyard Burlington Harbor Marriott, 25 Cherry St., is the new first full-service hotel to be in Burlington in 30 years. The hotel’s luxurious interiors are custom-designed by William Caligari, famed for doing the Canyon Ranch Spas. For more information, call 802-864-4700 or visit www.marriott.com. The Hilton Burlington, 60 Battery St., is the area's largest hotel, offering everything one expects from the superb Hilton brand. For mor information, call 802-658-6500 or visit www.hilton.com. Both the Courtyard Burlington Harbor Marriott and The Hilton Burlington lay out all of the amenities that the business traveler could desire ─ a complimentary business center, fitness facilities and convenient locations ─ amid panoramic lake and mountain views. A stroll along the eight mile bike path along the Burlington waterfront will clear your head from a day of business meetings.
The Power Lunch: The hands-down top power lunch spot in Burlington is Leunig's Bistro, at Church Street Marketplace. It is an award winning restaurant that makes you feel like you've been transported to glamour Paris, right in the heart of “burbsville” Burlington. The French brasserie is energetic and lively, melded with old-European elegance. The décor is a majestic sight to behold ─ with its marble bar and crystal chandeliers. The menu is to die for, using fresh Vermont regional foods prepared tres Francoise. Like all of Leunig's entrees, my favorite duck tacos (accompanied with black beans, peppers, baby arugula, and avocado hummus & salsa on blue corn shells with mixed greens) must be washed down with a "French pear" martini. For more informaton, call 802-863-3759 or visit www.leunigsbistro.com
Cultural Chow: No question about it, A Single Pebble, 133-135 Bank St., elevates Chinese cuisine to the level of art. The chef-owner retains the traditional ways of China in both ingredients and preparation. When you’ve sampled Chinese fare in every nook and cranny of the country, you’ll want experience A Single Pebble’s gourmet Chinese cuisine. And, prices won’t break the bank! For more information, call 802-865-5200 or visit www.asinglepebble.com.
Cyber Site: At Uncommon Grounds, 42 Church St, you can get wired both ways. It's a unique coffee shop offering coffees and teas from all over the world. All coffee is roasted daily right on the premises, and the menu includes locally made baked goods! For more information, call 802.865.6227 or visit www.ugvermont.com
Networkin’: The Courtyard Burlington Harbor Marriott's trendy lobby bar, overlooking Lake Champlain is an excellent place to meet, greet, see and be seen. Jazz ensembles perform regularly.
To De-Stress: An absolute must-do is the The Essex Resort and Spa! Vermont's top culinary resort/spa combination offers the ideal spot for your next executive retreat. Overlooking the majestic Green Mountains, The Essex merges the charm of a classic country inn with the luxury of a resort. It serves up arguably the finest gourmet cuisine in the country, created by chefs of the acclaimed New England Culinary Institute. The Essex boasts a AAA four-diamond rating. For more information, visit www.vtculinaryresort.com/.
Footloose & Fancy-free: The Burlington Waterfront had undergone a true renaissance over the last 10 years. It now includes the Echo Lake Aquarium and Science Center, Burlington Boathouse, Main Street Landing, theaters, shops, restaurants and more. Historic Church Street Marketplace is eight cobblestoned, pedestrian-only, award-winning blocks of shops, boutiques, clubs, restaurants and cafes often likened to a Parisian boulevard.
Flight Time: The one airport serving Burlington is Burlington International Airport, a beautiful, user-friendly airport with a brand spanking new $12 million upgrade and renovation. AirTran Airways offers daily, non-stop flights to Burlington with flights to more than 56 major U.S. cities. For more information, call 1-800-AIR-TRAN or visit www.airtran.com.
Someone Helpful: Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. For more information call 1-877-686-5253 or visit www.vermont.org..
Editor’s note: Publicist and travel writer Regina Lynch-Hudson has penned destination catalogs and articles for companies such as Vacation Express, AirTran Airways and North American Airlines. She also organizes cultural press trips, and handles destination marketing for resorts, bed and breakfasts, and tourism boards. Visit www.thewritepublicist.com.
