The Vinton Unlimited Ambassadors "Ambush" was planned long before the devastating fire that damaged several buildings and force the temporary location of several businesses, including the Robert Fisher law office.

All of the businesses effected: Michael & Dowd, Clingman Pharmacy, Benton County Title and the Robert and John Fischer law offices, have found temporary space along 4th Street, just a block or two from their long-time homes. Michael and Dowd is setting up their temporary home in the building that used to be Jessy's Gems. Clingman Pharmacy is sharing space at LaGrange Pharmacy. Robert Fischer and the Benton Co. Title Company are in the former Benton Co. DHS building across the street from the courthouse. And John Fischer has moved to the Schminke building just west of the Palace Theatre. Several VU representatives visited Robert and Linda Fischer at their temporary office on Wednesday for the very first "Ambush." VU Director Melissa Schwan and others surprised the Fischers with the visit, balloons and words of encouragement.

"We are thrilled that all of the businesses affected by the fire have found temporary new homes," says Schwan. "The businesses have been such great supporters of our community and now we have been able to support them with various owners and landlords offering space. There is no doubt that our landscape will be forever changed and the clean-up process will take some time, but I’m confident that our community will bounce back."

About the VU Ambassadors
The Ambassador program is a new endeavor of Vinton Unlimited comprised of volunteers that is tasked with positive promotion of our community. Wednesday the group visited Bob and Linda Fischer to thank them for making their home in Vinton.
"With the help of Linda setting up a fake appointment for Bob, we were able to totally surprise him – it was wonderful," says Schwan.
Check out the Vinton Unlimited Facebook page for a few other photos.
The Ambush program is just one component of the Ambassador program. It is the goal of the group to make monthly Ambush visits to businesses around the community! Be on the lookout, you never know where we will pop up!
Contact Melissa at Vinton Unlimited if you are interested in becoming an ambassador!