The Hub, Weston
The Hub opened at the Walker Farm adjacent to the Weston Theater Company in October 2021 as a comfortable place for people to gather for a casual lunch or dinner. The Hub works with local nonprofits such as Neighborhood Connections, Senior Solutions, and the Springfield Family Center to create community meals and afternoon events to encourage connection. The Hub’s menus feature “Meal for a Neighbor” for $10, and since January has raised almost $4,000 for regional food shelves from generous diners. The Hub’s owners have pledged that any profits will be distributed between employees and local nonprofits.
This storm was different from Tropical Storm Irene, with the water rising 30 inches higher this time. The river was like the Mississippi, three or four times wider than usual, and it just plowed through and dumped rocks, branches, and debris all over town. I saw propane tanks, refrigerators, boats, furniture all swept from people’s yards and carried away on the river. The village green was a lake. By 6 p.m., that’s when the flood damage peaked. The Weston Playhouse flooded, and the Little School, town hall, post office, and homes on the green and along the river were devastated.
The Hub’s basement was overwhelmed with water that flooded our septic system. We had to close for a week while we got that system up and running. We couldn’t serve anyone in the café, but we provided food to go, mostly sandwiches and salads, for all the theater kids, cast and crew, and for immediate neighbors. We paid our staff even though we weren’t open. That’s our policy. At least two staff members got flooded and lost cars. We did what we could. We opened up and said anyone affected by the flood could come in and get a free meal. Families and seniors came. We reopened on July 19.
We provided meals for the volunteers cleaning out the Weston Playhouse and the construction crews working in there. Volunteers shoveled mud, pulled out costumes and props. Local folks came out to help. We’ve had floods before but never seen damage at this level in our memory. However, it was amazing how fast the town repaired the bridge and re-asphalted roads.
We also participate in the Vermont Emergency Eats program. People come in with vouchers and can get a free meal to eat here or to go. They can choose the items we’ve made available for that day from our regular menu. Nothing is premade. We participated in Vermont Everyone Eats when it ran during Covid and provided more than 2,000 meals. We’re happy to do that.
When you’ve lost everything, it’s hard to process. You don’t really just move on. Victims of flooding are in it for the long haul as they replace their possessions and rebuild their lives. It’s overwhelming. So we just treat people with dignity; we make them feel noticed and loved.
