Profits in Storybook Lands
Not only is Padington Station famous for the Paddington Bear Statue, it is in the Background as the Station In the first Harry Potter Movie, and as the Station the Children leave from in the Lion, Witch, and Wardrobe. It is filled with gift shops selling merchandise from these stories along with Austin Powers trinkets. Also Tolkien's home town,sarehole Birhingham,has blue Plaques guiding visitors through famous scenes from his life and Novels and hosts Tolkien Weekends attracting thousands annually. Then we have Marry Poppins and Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens. A favorite with anyone travel through the world to London. Or How about The World of Beatrix Potter Attraction, Bowness-on-Windermere, Cumbria England which recently had a movie showing the life of the famous author of Peter Rabbit. A new movie spin off from the Philip Pullman series "The Golden Compass" is hitting theaters now. Do not expect Oxford to sit by without there Blue Plaques. Here is a list of all the other English Storybook lands.
Then in canada we have the bear cub found by a British soldier in Winnipeg Ca. that traveled on as his squadron's mascot until the cub made it to the London Zoo. That bear is the inspiration of Winnie the Pooh written by A. Milne. A statue of Winnie and Captain Cole bourn stands in Assiniboine Park, Winnipeg. Then further South we have in America we have three places fighting for the Little House on The Prairie Books, the most famous is the Laura Ingalls homestead in De Smet South Dakota. Then closer to home we have in Boston Make Way for Ducklings Statue that inspired the Duck Tour attraction. Since 1978, the city has hosted an annual Duckling Day parade each spring, in which children dressed as ducklings and their parents retrace the path taken by Mrs. Mallard and her ducklings to get from the Charles River to the Public Garden. Or how about the Alice in Wonderland Statue in Central Park.
So lets ride on the H.P. Lovecraft, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Arthur Miller bandwagon and bring in one more story which will highlight the rest and bring new profit in Salem year round.
Count Me In!