TOURISM
Cowboy Nitro stout is Casey Sexton , who dreamed of having turnouts like this when she first took the leap and opened Provisions .
Not only is Sexton happy with the show , she can envision more bustling nights like this in the future . That ’ s partly because , during the lockdowns of 2020 and travel disruptions of 2021 , Provisions saw a lot of new faces visiting — people who weren ’ t coming from the usual far-off places . Instead , these visitors were arriving from much closer locales : Sacramento , Stockton , Modesto , Roseville . They came from other cities , too , but often ones that were only a few hours drive to Sutter Creek . Now , Sexton is among a growing number of local business owners who think the pandemic ’ s impact on national and international travel was ultimately a boon for day-trippers discovering her city .
“ People like the uniqueness , the ambiance ,” she says . “ It ’ s just so quaint and beautiful , and the merchants are welcoming , which really resonates . ( COVID ) forced people to pay a little more attention to the businesses they were coming into . I think so much has been taken away , and now people are focused on not taking for granted the interesting places that they visit .”
She adds , “ I hope it will lead to more people coming back to Sutter Creek — fans of the town for life .”
Sexton ’ s not alone in that optimism . Watching Forever Goldrush from the back of Provisions are Jay and MunDen Michel , owners of the oldest Victorian bed-and-breakfast in the city . Working with their sons , Thomas and Christopher , the Michels are safeguarding the legacy of Sutter Creek Inn , a New England-style manor flanked by garden cottages that was built in 1859 and served as the home of state Sen . Edward Voorheis . Today , the inn ’ s an overnight time machine back to a rural Gilded Age California .
40 comstocksmag . com | April 2022