Mohawk Falls: Weddings And The Love Of A Challenge

BYOB: Bring Your Own Business Entrepreneurial Tales From The North Country

This is the fifth in an occasional series on entrepreneurs and innovation in the North Country. If you have a suggestion contact: nancywestnews@gmail.com

By Chris Jensen, InDepthNH.org

COLEBROOK – Now in his 60’s, Dana Bartlett could have taken the traditional course, retiring from his dental practice and taking it easy. But there was this tantalizing challenge that he couldn’t resist: starting a business to host rustic weddings.

Bartlett and Cynthia, his wife, did face a couple of little problems.
First, they knew nothing about the hospitality business or the behind-the-scenes business of nuptials.

Second, they didn’t have a building.

Dana Bartlett, Chris Jensen photo

Given the investment in time, money and the risk, some might see such a decision as bold or even reckless. But the Bartletts couldn’t resist. “We took the leap of faith,” he said.

The landing for that leap was Cynthia Bartlett, Chris Jensen photo[/caption]

“We had the first two bookings before we finished the building, which was kind of scary because we were still doing construction the morning of that wedding,” said Dana Bartlett.

Indeed, when the bride showed up early to check things and discovered construction underway it did not calm her pre-wedding jitters.

“She is looking at it kind of like ‘Oh, my God,’” Cynthia Bartlett said. But everything was finished and tidied up when the guests arrived, she said.

And the bride and groom were happy, according to remarks they posted on the Mohawk Falls website.

“Beautiful location and awesome staff!! We held both our wedding and reception at Mohawk Falls and everything was outstanding,” groom Jason Beloin wrote. “You will be hard pressed to find a better venue to host any event or celebration.”

Mohawk Falls has been open for a little more than a year now. The Bartletts said it was quite a learning experience and the key was listening to what people wanted.
“We learned something new every wedding,” said Cynthia Bartlett.

During the past year Mohawk Falls was the site of a crafts fair, several music events and an adventure race. There were four weddings, all from northern New Hampshire. They have nine booked for the coming year, with some from southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts.

Bartlett said the key to making Mohawk Falls work was perseverance.

“I know that anyone that is going to be successful in business is going to fall on their face a number of time along the way,” he said. “You just have to pick yourself up, keep going and don’t get discouraged.”