ATHOL – Planning and Development Director Eric Smith is urging residents, frequent visitors, and out-of-towners who are employed in Athol to complete the online Downtown Athol Restaurant Survey in time for the March 1 deadline.

According to Smith, more than 260 people have taken the time to complete 16-question survey, and is hoping the final number of respondents will top 300.

The survey was made by Peg Barringer, managing director and CEO of FinePoint Associates of Brookline. Athol was awarded a Mass Downtown Initiative grant of $25,000 to secure the services of Barringer’s company to conduct the study. Barringer also completed a Downtown Athol Retail Market Assessment in 2017 and Downtown Housing Study in 2020.

In addition to providing demographic information, such as age, approximate income and family size, respondents are also asked about the types of restaurants they would like to see in downtown Athol. Cuisines offered as possible alternatives include Indian, Thai, Oriental noodle, pub/brew pub, and bakery, but those completing the survey are also given the opportunity to make their own suggestions.

People are also asked about the frequency with which they patronize the restaurants already in business in Athol.

Results of the survey will be used to market downtown Athol to restaurateurs who may be interested in opening a business here, as well as to regional or national chains that may find the area to be a good fit for a new location.

To access the survey, go to https://tinyurl.com/3zrempab.

Greg Vine can be reached at gvineadn@gmail.com.