The Proprietors are needed because Pomfret is not itself a destination area , so that means that we , the small business owners in town , have to work a little bit harder , ” said Jean Barton , a member of The Pomfret Proprietors Association and business manager of Celebrations Gallery and Shoppes in Pomfret .

According to the group , the mission of The Pomfret Proprietors Association is to , “ share our beautiful town with others by promoting the excitement and fun of local businesses . ” Barton said that The Pomfret Proprietors Association is not modeled after any specific organization and that bringing local business owners together is a primary objective . “ We decided that we didn’t want to be as formal , we wanted to be lighter and have fun with it . What I really like is creating a sense of community which is greater than ourselves . We are all small business owners , and so it is easy to get immersed in yourown business . It is nice to be doing this with other business owners in our town , ” Barton said .

Nearly 30 local businesses , including retail , services and dining , have joined in the 18 months since the group’s founding .

“ When we started , I had no clue what was going to happen , ” said Dee Dee Markes , a member of the association and the owner of Pomfret Center Spa . Markes , who has run the spa for three years, said that each business owner was looking for a way that the association could benefit them . “ It was difficult for me , because I am not in retail , and I am one of the newer businesses in town , ” she said .

Markes said that she has benefited from the increased publicity and word of mouth advertising , but would like to see the association grow , while still having fun . Markes also said that she would like to see the town of Pomfret attain name recognition for the different businesses , services and attractions that the town offers . “ Being from California , I think that I fell in love with it here because I always feel as if I am on vacation . There is something that feels like home here . The people are friendly , and they know one another . It is just beautiful here every season , ” Markes said .

“ Pomfret is beautiful . It is the quintessential old New England town , ” said Louisa Jones , a member of the association and the manager of The Pomfret School Store . “ It’s good because it has brought our businesses together , and we are colleagues now . ”

In August , The Pomfret Proprietors Association sponsored a town-wide tag sale and an event called “ What’s it Worth ?” which featured appraiser Michael Grogan . “ People loved it . We’re steeped in history here , and I think that everybody has the one thing in their attic that their grandmother gave them or that is a family heirloom that they just want to know how much it is worth , ” said Martha Emilio , leader of the association and owner of the shop Majilly in Pomfret .

Louisa Jones of The Pomfret School Store said that the event was hugely successful and will be repeated this year, with “ What’s it Worth ? ” occurring on Saturday , Aug . 23 , 2008 .

Emilio said that she has noticed increased visibility since the Proprietors group was started . “ There is now a lot of camaraderie between us business owners . We have a connection on different issues including problem solving and information gathering , ” she said . Emilio said that plans are almost finalized for a town-wide map , which will highlight the different business offerings in Pomfret and said that it should be ready for release by the Feb . 12 membership meeting .

Emilio said that there is always room for growth and that she expects that The Pomfret Proprietors Association will use the networking it has created to develop strategic marketing and advertising plans . “ What is clear is that we all love Pomfret and truly have a lot of pride in our town , ” she said .