Two weeks ago we received word that the Valley Banner Newspaper in Elkton was shutting down in June. Now we have learned that the owner of The Villager & Massanutten Vacationer Newspapers is retiring and if a new owner can’t be found, these publications will cease to exist. Below is the notice we received from Shenandoah’s Town Manager Juanita Roudabush. (Please pass this word on to anyone interested in learning more about the potential purchase)

As most of you know, we have relied upon the quarterly publication of the Massanutten Vacationer Newspaper with a full page ad each season to help us attract visitors at the resort to our Town.

For many of our businesses these ads have worked very well and we even get visitors to the Town Museum (we always provide them with the map of businesses in our Town and the Chamber's Visitor's Guide) where we show them all about our history and respect for military service, etc.

We also regularly place ads in the monthly publication of the Massanutten Villager (geared toward the permanent residents and timeshare visitors) and these ads have proven successful over the years.

We have just learned the owner is retiring after this Summer Edition is published and if a new owner cannot be found, these publications will cease to exist. Coupled with the Valley Banner no longer in publication after the June Edition, we will have a very difficult time reaching people in Eastern Rockingham County (especially the tourists)! We will still conduct advertisements in various publications/radio/etc., and the County TOT funds are extremely helpful in funding our marketing efforts, but it will be a loss geared directly toward Massanutten Resort visitors.

The Villager/Vacationer publication business is for sale! Please pass this word on to anyone interested in learning more about the potential purchase and have them contact:

Patty Watson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

540.434.4200

REFERENCES AVAILABLE as to the ads impact: Town of Shenandoah; Shenandoah River Adventures (Betty Gochenour/Rodney Turner); Shenandoah General Store; Boxcar Deli & Subs and more!

Thanks in advance for your help in spreading the word about this business opportunity!

Juanita

Juanita Roudabush

Town Manager/MMC

426 First Street

Shenandoah, Virginia 22849

540-652-3328 - phone