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CJ Rivard, GM
Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites
cjrivard@vineyardsquarehotel.com
(508) 627-4711
April 4, 2011 (Edgartown, Martha’s Vineyard Mass.) – When the Colonial Inn first opened for business in 1911 the big news about Edgartown’s largest hotel, located just 1 minute from Steamboat Wharf, was that it was “electrified,” offered hot and cold water baths and all the conveniences in modern plumbing. This season, when the hotel reopens on the anniversary of their 100th year, the air will once again be “electrified,” this time with big news about a new name, building renovations and hip plans for a 100 Day Celebration.
The newly renovated Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites opens for the season April 15th with a sleek beach modern design. Renovations include upgraded rooms and bathrooms, new lighting, fresh paint, new carpet and expansions in the common areas and courtyard square, giving guests more space to mingle and relax.
“We love the fact that our property has evolved into more of a community gathering place, particularly in our front square,” says CJ Rivard, who has been General Manager of the hotel since 2001. “What was once a few guests relaxing on our comfortable porch rockers has evolved into a much more vibrant scene. There are now lively groups enjoying the atmosphere while waiting for dinner in Chesca’s; frequent art openings and galas at Eisenhauer Gallery; and live music on Thursday nights from Mike Benjamin & Friends. Recently, the activity has expanded beyond our front square with the opening of Sea Spa Salon and trunk shows and events hosted by Bluefish Coastal Boutique. We have a great group of businesses within the Vineyard Square complex who work together to provide interesting activities for Edgartown visitors. Our location in the center of town is really ideal as a meeting and gathering place.”
It’s not just the businesses at Vineyard Square that will be the source of excitement this year. The newly renamed Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites has a 100 Day Celebration lined up to mark their historic anniversary. Activities include special $100 room rates this spring; a Share the Memories campaign; ongoing giveaways and a Grand Re-opening Celebration on the Square in June.
Research is underway to compile a more complete history of the hotel and space has been set aside in the lobby for a historic display. Hotel guests, community members, former owners and staff are being invited to share their stories, historic photographs and memories as part of the anniversary celebration.
Edgartown resident Carol Lisa Chirgwin Fligor remembers growing up living on the property that her grandfather, Thomas Chirgwin opened in 1911. “It looked and operated very differently back then and I spent many happy childhood days playing ‘backstage’ at the Colonial Inn,” she remembers.
“We believe our new name better represents the business we are today and the place we have become in the community,” says Tom McConnell, one of the hotel owners. “That’s not to say however, that we don’t fully appreciate the significance of our historic 100th year. Our 100 Day Celebration is designed to allow us to reflect upon and appreciate our rich historic past; while we embrace and celebrate our evolving future.”
Embracing a bit of 1980’s history, Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites celebration theme is “It’s Hip to be Square,” words written by Bill Gibson, Sean Hopper and Huey Lewis and released in 1986 as the second single from Huey Lewis’ multi- Platinum album, Fore! The original version of the song features Pro Football Hall of Famers and then-San Francisco 49ers Joe Montana and Ronnie Lott singing backup vocals. The single reached number three on the Billboard Hot 100. As part of the 100 Day Celebration lucky winners will receive accommodations at the hotel, transportation to Hyannis and tickets to see Huey Lewis and The News live at the Cape Cod Melody Tent in July.
Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites will kick off their “Hip to be Square” summer with a Grand Re-opening event including music, tours, historic trivia, and giveaways on June 2nd. Prizes and gift certificates will be given away to hotel guests over the following 100 days, along with daily tidbits of Vineyard history spanning the years from 1911 to 2011.
Daily drawing winners and those who submit their Colonial Inn memories and historic photos will also be entered into four monthly drawings where prizes will include:
Accommodations at the Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites, transportation to Hyannis and tickets to see Huey Lewis and The News live at the Cape Cod Melody Tent on July 17th.
Historic Getaway Packages which include accommodations at the Vineyard Square Hotel & Suites plus Island, Lighthouse and Vincent House tours and passes to the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.
For a complete schedule of events and to submit Colonial Inn memories and photos, people are encouraged to visit www.vineyardsquarehotel.com or stop in to the Vineyard Square Hotel at 38 North Water Street in Edgartown.
38 North Water Street, Edgartown, MA 02539
(508) 627‐4711
info@vineyardsquarehotel.com
www.vineyardsquarehotel.com
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