A Fresh Take on an Old Stop: Reimagining a Gateway to the Mad River Valley

If you’ve ever headed north into the Valley on Route 100, you know the spot. That little pull-off. The old Top Gas station. Maybe you’ve grabbed a map there, maybe you’ve stretched your legs, maybe you’ve just driven by a hundred times without thinking much about it.

But like a lot of things around here, there’s more to it than meets the eye.

And now, there’s a real opportunity to turn that familiar roadside stop into something that truly reflects the spirit of the Mad River Valley.

A Good Idea, Getting Even Better

The Travel Information site has been part of the Valley for a long time—brought back to life years ago by a couple of dedicated community members who saw potential where others saw a rundown building.

More recently, through stewardMRV and a whole lot of volunteer elbow grease, it’s been cleaned up, cared for, and quietly improved. The Town has stepped in too, helping keep things maintained and usable.

These days, it’s not just a place for brochures. Folks are pulling in to access the river, take a break, or just get their bearings.

So the question became: what if we leaned into that?

Where Art Meets Arrival

The Chamber is teaming up with Mad River Valley Arts to explore what’s next for the site—and it’s got us pretty excited.

The idea is simple, but powerful: take what’s already there and shape it into something that feels unmistakably MRV.

Think:

• An outdoor art installation that catches your eye (in a good way)
• A space that feels welcoming, not just functional
• A spot that invites people to pause, look around, and maybe stay a little longer
• A first impression that actually feels like an arrival

Not flashy. Not overdone. Just thoughtful, creative, and rooted in this place.

This Is What Stewardship Looks Like

One of the things that makes this possible is the groundwork that’s already been laid. This site didn’t get to where it is by accident. It’s been cared for—by volunteers, by the Town, by people who believe that small efforts add up to something bigger. What we’re talking about now is the next step in that evolution. Taking something good… and making it great.

Not Exactly “Business as Usual”

Truth be told, this isn’t the kind of thing most Chambers are working on. But then again, the Mad River Valley isn’t most places. Whether it’s stewardMRV, Stand Up for Safety, or projects like this, the Chamber has taken a pretty simple view: if it makes the Valley better—for businesses, for residents, for visitors—it’s worth leaning into. Because around here, “infrastructure” isn’t just roads and buildings. It’s the experience. It’s how people feel when they get here. It’s what makes them want to come back—and tell others to do the same.

What Comes Next

This is still taking shape, and that’s part of the fun. We’ll be working with the Town of Warren, Mad River Valley Arts, local partners, artists, and community members to figure out what fits—balancing creativity with the realities of the site (yes, including floodplain considerations and all the practical stuff). There will be chances to weigh in and get involved as things move forward.

At the end of the day, this is about making that little spot on Route 100 something more. A place that feels like a true gateway.
A place that tells a story. A place that feels like the Mad River Valley. Not just something you pass by, but something worth pulling over for.