LETTER: American icon serving sweet treats is just what Port needs

To Ozaukee Press:

What is more classic to all of America than an Airstream trailer? As an iconic image of first-class travel for everyone with a desire to explore the back roads, small towns, national parks, from waterside beaches to mountain heights there may not be a greater universal and certainly recognizable vehicle than the silver, rounded camper on wheels.  

This and the interest in all things retro, mid-century, experiential and millennial makes the Airstream food trailer proposed for downtown Port Washington a perfect marketing vehicle for use as a summertime venue for ice cream and other treats for the visiting traveler as well as our local population.  

The economic future of Port Washington is tourism. Our unique lakeside community holds so many assets. We are sitting pretty as long as we carefully consider how we value our efforts to make Port a place where people visit, shop, eat, stay and, most importantly, return. Without diminishing the history and heritage of Port, the Airstream fits right in.  

We already have a couple of incredible ice cream vendors, but the Airstream is an idea that can be many things with a bit of creative thinking. Will the Airstream feature locally sourced ice cream, specialty coffees, treats for children, tourist and local shopping information? Will the Airstream support Port by generating greater commerce for everyone? The Port Main Street organization should publicly welcome and support this.

Full disclosure: I once owned a 1962 Airstream. While living in Colorado in the late 70s, I gutted the trailer and completely refitted it for my home of four years. It was featured in a Vail magazine article. I also met with the engineers at the Airstream plant in Ohio to discuss designing a custom Airstream for use as a traveling sculpture gallery. The passion for Airstream is broad and timeless. The American heart has held a place for them for decades.  

Positive community support for business ventures in Port is essential. The financial risk for new businesses and eateries is great. They need to open their doors to keep their doors open. There must be a broad commitment that what is good for business is good for Port. I am behind the businesses that have the ideas and are willing to prove that the risk we take is worth it.

C. T. Whitehouse
Port Washington