I was saddened to see that Bonita Nudist Resort has closed down and will be going textile this spring. http://www.bonitanudistresort.com/ That leaves 2 resorts in New York and they are both central & East locations. Several in Ontario Canada have gone textile in the last 2 years leaving slim pickings in the Western NY area. We have been members of Empire Haven for a while now but the club is several hours from where we live and they are the closest one.I just don't understand why so many clubs can't make a go of it when there seems to be so much demand for a nice nudist resort in NY and elsewhere. We frequent this type of resort whenever we can, in fact we rarely vacation vanilla, and go out of our way to stay nude where ever we can. While the NY climate may not be the best to work with at certain times of the year, it should still be a feasible venture if done right. 
How is the area you live in? Do you have a club/resort close by? Do you feel the need is met in your location?

Financially I couldn't see how Bonita was going to make it. We were there twice last year and it was pretty much dead both times. The couple that owned it were two of the nicest people we ever met but it does take money to live. How sad. We wish them luck in their new adventure.

I believe there is at least one nonlanded club in that area.  You might give them a shout and perhaps urge them to visit a nudist park as a group.

Sad to hear this. We've been there a couple of times. It was a nice place. I'm afraid there will be more to follow.

Financially I couldn't see how Bonita was going to make it. We were there twice last year and it was pretty much dead both times. The couple that owned it were two of the nicest people we ever met but it does take money to live. How sad. We wish them luck in their new adventure.

I can back this up. The last few times I have been there, it was absolutely dead. I think the primary reason was that Bonita was primarily was made up of members of blue collar occupations. The economy really took a tow on them. When I was there last time, I was told this person and that person lost their job or their contracting business really took a dive. Wished Jerry and Annie could make a go of it. They were one of the best representatives of naturism I've seen.

I just don't understand why so many clubs can't make a go of it when there seems to be so much demand for a nice nudist resort in NY and elsewhere.

Economics plays a major role. We are in a recession, despite the BS from Washington. People are hurting. The last thing on their minds is wasting the gas for the car and the money for the grounds fees to get a day naked in the sun.

From the club's perspective as a business, there are overhead expenses that must be paid no matter how much or little income they have. Energy costs, taxes, insurance, wages, maintenance, perhaps loans, and on and on.

Clubs that overreach by expanding and adding new facilities when it is economically unjustifiable, on the faulty premise expounded in Field of Dreams -- "If you build it, he (they) will come!" -- will be even harder hit, because they will NOT come. People are not going to adopt nudism just because a club is made bigger and better.

When it reaches the point where hoping that the very small percentage of the populace who are nudists will support the club is no longer viable, a decision must be made, with only two realistic options.

1. Convert to textile only to draw from a far larger base of potential customers.
2. Close the gates.

Bonita, like any northern US club, has the added burden of being unable to run year round. With luck, they might have six months of acceptable weather. However, a lot of the bills are monthly, requiring that the club make enough money when open to pay them when it is closed.

I have the deepest admiration for the clubs in the top half of the country that can make a go of it, but I envision that more of them will be switching or closing.

It is really very unfortunate that between the thirty thousand or more nudists in America, we cannot all kick in $25 dollars and send it anonymously to a resort like this when times are "lean".  Twenty-five dollars time thirty thousand souls adds up to seven hundred and fifty thousand dollars!  To me that is enough money to pull ANY business venture out of the hole and keep them going for another year, or two or three!

Except for Solyndra and that's a whole separate story!

~

 

Here is a small article about Bonita under it's new life as Aspen Family Campground.

http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/20120607/NEWS01/206070359/Candor-Town-Talk-Former-nudist-camp-becomes-family-campground

I like how it says that Aspen Family Campground is under new management when it's the same owners as Bonita Nudist Retreat.

We will have to invite Jerry and Annie down to go skinny dipping. Already talked to them about it in the past. They are good people.

From post #7: thirty thousand or more nudists in America

That would be 30,000 that have come out of the closet. I am still locked in looking for a way out without causing family problems.

Bob

BVnudist  In western N.Y. there is a resort near Rochester and another near Sherman. I have been to the one near Sherman many times. Brushwood Folk Lore Resort, ( www.brushwood.com ) It is C/O but nice place, rather spartan. People are friendly and the cost minimal. In 2012, $10 per night for tent and $15 for RV. The RV includes water and electricity. In July, they have Sirius Rising, large pagan festival, over 1400 people each year. And, right after that, Summerfest. I recommend it for a laid-back, relaxing campgrounds.