Aw come on! A visit with this little guy certainly will put a smile on your face. Without question, an example of "good PR."
By Edward M. Bury, APR, MA (aka The PRDude)
Like many Chicagoans, I have found many pleasures when visiting our neighbors to the north in the state of Wisconsin. Go to the Search link on the top right of the PRDude home page, enter "Wisconsin," and search; you'll find several posts related to my many journeys and memories of the Dairy State.
Well, here's another one.
Last week, Susan and I ventured to the Lake Winnebago area to rest, relax, and remove ourselves from the daily grind. Okay, we were on a motor vacation.
One rewarding aspect of travel is encountering something unexpected and memorable.
A stop at the LaClare Family Creamery was one of those welcomed finds. Located in the town of Malone, just a few miles northeast of Fond du Lac, this family owned and operated business made a tremendous impression when we passed it on our drive up to High Cliff State Park.
"We must visit on the return trip," Susan remarked.
And, we're glad we did. Upon entering the property, I knew this business was more than just a place that made and sold cheese: It was a strategically designed and expertly operated venue that provided a memorable experience by offering visitors a first-hand perspective on all things goat cheese.
As noted in the images below, the property features barns where visitors can get close up with the many kinds of goats, including the all-too-cute newborns, like the little guy or gal in the image above. Plus the founders, Larry and Clara Hedrich (hence the name LaClare) incorporated an excellent diner and gift shop into the complex, as well as a modern meeting space graced by views of the processing plant and cool close up visual perspectives of the four-legged members of the family. There's even an impressive garden center adjacent to the barns.
We, of course, sampled some delicious cheese while sharing a Cuban sandwich in the shop. The staff were very pleasant and welcoming, as if we were old friends and not just two passersby looking for a place to stop for lunch.
So, now to some insight into the the title of this post. I've tackled the premise of a company or person getting "good PR," a phrase I find to be a misrepresentation of positive media exposure and a sort of denigration of strategic communications.
The family and staff who manage LaClare demonstrated from our initial moments on the property until we boarded our rental car and headed back south that patrons were welcomed and respected, that this was more than just a business but a unique and compelling part of this rural community. Sounds corny, but LeClare is the American dream exemplified.
To me, that is the foundation for some really, really good PR.
The sprawling site is well landscaped and inviting, especially on a mild sunny day in June.
Lunch time offers a firsthand perspective on where the goat cheese comes from.
Note the quality of the images lining the hall leading to the event rooms.
Yes, as noted in these images, the cheese looks delicious. From personal experience, it tastes even better!
A close up from one section of the impressive processing plant, visible to visitors.
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