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Community Corner

We All Scream For Ice Cream: Mayfield is Urged to Reconsider Closing its Visitors Center

Braselton's mayor and town council discussed the upcoming closing of the Mayfield Visitors Center at an Oct. 10 meeting.

In response to the recent news that Dean Foods — parent company of the Mayfield Dairy Brand — plans to close the Visitors Center and Ice Cream Parlor in Braselton, Mayor Bill Orr and council members discussed possible next steps during a previously scheduled town council meeting.

In the days leading up to Monday’s meeting, Councilman Richard Mayberry met with members of the Mayfield Visitors Center staff.

“Mayfield is a vital part of our Visitors Bureau Authority and strategic partner attracting tourists from many states,” Mayberry said. “School-age children have taken educational tours since its inception, bringing revenue to the center and the town. So, we urge Dean Foods, with a time-honored southern expression, to ‘hunker down’ through this recession.”

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Councilman Mayberry, Mayor Orr and each of the remaining members of the Braselton Town Council believe a six-month reprieve should be considered immediately, allowing time to examine economic sustainability issues. 

“Even a temporary closing through the winter months with a pledge to re-open in 2012 can give us all time to plan ahead and identify community and state resources,” Mayberry added.

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During the council meeting, Mayor Orr made clear, “We need the opportunity to work with Mayfield and to express our willingness to make it make sense for Mayfield to keep the Visitors Center open because it does make sense for Braselton.”

Believed to draw nearly 2 million visitors to the area since its opening in 1997, it's evident that Mayfield has a strong following. Fans of the popular tourist attraction and residents of Braselton are urged by the mayor and council to call Mayfield Dairy at 1-800-362-9546 with a request to reconsider the closure of the Braselton Visitors Center.

What do you think the impact of Mayfield Dairy's closure will mean to the Braselton community? Tell us in comments. 

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