A Grocers Get-Away to Martha's Vineyard

On Sunday, Oct 7, 2012, my mother, Barbara and I, joined by our manager Dale & his wife Connie Dothage, departed for a Grocers-Get-Away to Boston and Martha's Vineyard.  It's my first time to visit this area and I am SO excited.  This first blog, I want to share with you some of Martha's Vineyard. 

Connie Dothage & Dale Dothage

Michele Kauffman & Barbara Bettlach

We were joined by about 30 other retailers from around the midwest.  All are members of Associated Wholesale Grocers.  Several we have traveled with before.



We take a 45 minute Ferry from the mainland to the Island of Martha's Vineyard.  We docked at Vineyard Haven which also has the town name of Tisbury.

We are staying at the Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown.  This hotel was established in 1891. 

Harbor View Hotel

 

 

 

View Directly across from our hotel

The Harbor View Hotel is described as being built on a generous scale with stunning panoramic views of Edgartown Harbor, Edgartown Lighthouse, and Chappaquiddick Island.  The front of the hotel has a 300 foot veranda.   

Edgartown is a charming 19th Century Whaling Captain's Town.

We have arrived one day ahead of the rest of our group, so we decide first that we will take a walking tour around Edgartown.  Our tour guide is Mike and we start on Water Street.

The Mayhews and their associates were the first authorized English settlers and they took over the island from the estimated 3,000 indians.  In 1671, the town was incorporated. The name Edgar Towne was chosen to honor the only son of the Duke of York.   The Mayhews, hoping to gain favor, chose the name Edgartown, not knowing that Edgar had died a month earlier.  It is said that this is the only "Edgartown" in the world.

This is a picture that was hanging inside of our hotel.

The Mayhews owned the entire waterfront area in Edgartown.  There are still Mayhews living on the island today.

In 1865 the need for Whaling Oil came to an end and Edgartown became a ghost town.

Do you remember the movie JAWS?
It was filmed on Martha's Vineyard.  I remember thinking how I loved the town in this movie.  
Tourism was waining at the time and city managers thought that the shark scare movie might be detrimental to the island, but instead it began a new and revived era for tourism.

  

Many people living on the island were used as extras in the movie.  The man standing in the doorway of the Gazette is also the movie's screen writer.

The Vineyard Gazette  is the oldest paper on the island and is still active today. 

1969 - 1974 Martha's Vineyard was known for Chappaquiddick.

The Gay Head Lighthouse was built in 1788.  In 1844 it had to be moved back 75 ft because of the constant eroding of the cliffs. 
At the Gay Head Beach, debris from John Kennedy Jr.'s plane washed ashore.

Many famous people have lived here.  Off the top of his head, Mike named, Jimmy Cagney, Walter Cronkite, Bill Gates, Meg Ryan, Larry David, James Taylor & Carly Simon, Tony Shalhaub, Ted Danson, Billy Joel when he was married to Christy Brinkly, Diana Ross, Dan Ackroyd, Bill Murray, Harold Ramis, John & Jim Belushi.  John Belushi is buried on the island.  Jim Belushi now owns John's house overlooking the island's only nude beach.

After our walking tour of Edgarville, we took the bus to Oak Bluffs. We wanted to explore the gingerbread cottages of Oak Bluff. 

In 1835 this area was host to a two or three day Methodist religious revival meeting during the summer.  The revival became an annual event. At first there were nine tents for the attendees, twenty-three years later almost 12,000 people attended and families began bringing their own tents and building rough wooden platforms for them, and finally simple houses were built on these platforms.  These houses were built very simple, the inside walls were also the outside walls, no heat and tiny rooms, but they were built with elaborate gothic flair.  These cottages are about 1,100 SF and today will sell for 300,000 to 500,000 and the owner still will not own the land only the building. 

 We walked a LOT today, resting a little along the way.  Of course Connie & I are shopping.

 The area is known for the black and green shutters with 3 foot tall white picket fences.

There are 6 golf courses on the island.

There are 5 lighthouses on the island.

 

These are pictures that were displayed on the walls of the Harbor View Hotel.

Martha's Vineyard is an island located south of Cape Cod in Massachusetts known for being an affluent summer colony.

The island has a land area of 100 square miles.

Its year-round population has grown considerably since the 1960s. A study by the Martha's Vineyard Commission found that the cost of living on the island is 60 percent higher than the national average and housing prices are 96 percent higher.
 

The estimated year-round population is 15,000 residents; however, the summer population can swell to over 100,000 people. 

About 56% of the Vineyard’s 14,621 homes are seasonally occupied.





 
^{I would love to hear of your Martha's Vineyard stories.
Visit me at Harter House
1500 E. Republic Road, Springfield MO
email me at shelly@harterhouse.com}

Grocer's Get-Away to Chicago

What is a Grocer's Get-Away or a Grocer's Safari?  A group of grocers come together for the purpose of exploring grocery businesses to discover, "What they are doing right." 

Our purpose is getting new ideas and seeing what's new.  We view displays, décor, retail items, etc., to bring back and implement in our own stores. And we have utilized this knowledge in many ways over the years, everything from handi-wipes that sanitize the shopping cart handles to "How to successfully implement a Dry Aged Meat program."  

My favorite project, that utilized elements we had seen in our tours, is our World Flavors Section at Harter House on Republic Road. This back-lit shelving was one of my favorite features we brought to our World Flavors Market.

The education department, at Associated Wholesale Grocers, will usually plan two outings a year.  Our most recent trip was Chicago, July 24 to July 29, 2012.  I'd like to share  some of my experiences with you.  

We start at the Drake Hotel on the corner of Michigan and Lake Shore Drive.  Our coordinator, Marie Lewis, secured this famous hotel for our stay, which included a breakfast voucher for each morning at the Drake Bros. Restaurant. I highly recommend this elegant historic hotel.




Our first store tour Wednesday was State Street PotashMarket.  The wood signage outside and signage inside is eye appealing.  I really like the pictures on the walls of family members dating back to circa 1950.  I have some similar pictures of my dad I would love to share with our customers.  The owner, Art Potash, greets this group of  __ grocers, very happy and proud  to share his history. 

I notice heavy duty plastic juicers with the lemons and limes.  I notice on top of his cooler cases he has cooking items such as serving bowls, etc. Potash Market was 2011 Retailer of the Year and he announced it on a vinyl sign hanging in his store.   

 The deli is spectacular.  His meat case reminded me of Harter House, full service.  One unique item I liked was the whole stuffed chickens.

In the freezer is spectacular LED lighting, definitely on our Harter House to-do list. 

  I liked their comment box, "How did we do today?  We would love to know." 

Second stop was a Walgreens.
"Why?", you say.
Keep in mind this store is just off Michigan Avenue in the heart of downtown Chicago.


This two story Walgreens has a very nice lunch deli for the thousands that work in this area and visitors.  Two sushi chefs made delicious looking fresh rolls. 

Their pastry case was very impressive.  I can't help but notice the Spinach and Swiss Croissant.
This store has a 6 dispenser frozen yogurt machine
with your choice of toppings.  The liquor department has a "Virtual Bartender" machine, a touch screen providing beverage recipes.  I've seen this before, many years ago before smart phones were popular.  We liked it better then.

I notice on the walls,  Instead of "milk" & "eggs", their wall signage says, "Eat Well".

And once again, a large picture in their store front window displays an old picture of a "Walgreens Drug Store" ice cream truck. 
Lastly, I notice their  "Chicago Proud" wall art.  I love an inviting decor.  It shows a professional style and uniqueness.

Our third store was a new  Walmart Express.  Marie, why was this store on our list?  Well, they're popping up everywhere.  This store does not have any bells & whistles.  It's new.  It's clean.   It does have sky-lighting in the ceiling which offers natural lighting.  I like this feature on this sunny day.    As we leave, I notice a "Red Box" DVD rental.  I might like to have a "Red Box" to offer to my customers. 

Our fourth and final store today is Mariano's Fresh Market. 

As we enter we are greeted by a wall sign that says,
"Shop Well, Eat Well, Live Well".   Produce displays in the front windows are unique.  It looks nice.  

 I take pictures of their produce department because it's very impressive. 

 This store is lovely. 

Next we have a "Hearth Baked Pizza" section next to the "Create Your Sandwich" section.  This pizza looked Yummy.  I refrained!  

The bakery, again, was outstanding. This is a large store, with large departments and it's full with lots of variety in every department. 

I notice the cupcakes.  These are not ordinary cupcakes.  They are large works of art. 
We can do this too!! 
And, I love the "Mariano's Fresh Market" stickers on their own fresh baked items. 

Next, I'm drawn to this wonderful cheese section. I love the display case.  It's  full, with lots of variety.

  I really like the product description cards. 

 I notice cheeses, cranberries, nuts and dried fruit on the serving board, I'm sure was prepared and deli wrapped in this store. 

Their meat department is awesome.  I take lots of pictures. 

 I love the extensive sausage display. 

 

There is a variety of specialty fresh burger patties, such as Pepper Jack & Bacon Burger & Jalapeno Cheddar Pub Burger.   I could go on and on.  Basically, I really like this store.  As we prepare to exit I notice the employee uniform.  Everyone is wearing black slacks, a white shirt, and a black neck tie.  It is very sharp looking.  And lastly, I notice the baby grand piano in the front of the store.  An employee tells me that they have someone playing often, and at other times it is a player piano. 

What fun and an educational day.
Tomorrow Barbara & I get to see more!

~Shelly Kauffman