I like stories. I have forever, but it probably took me 42 years to realize. My local spirit shop has 2 incredible wine tastings a year. Every time I go I gravitate to this one distributor. He is brilliant. He knows his wines and can tell you about the vintner, the land and how the vintage got to market. After a couple of years he said to me, “You enjoy terrier. You enjoy the story.” I was shocked. In a nutshell he had somehow summed up my life.
Over the Thanksgiving dinner table talk turned toward the economy. One aunt remarked on how people seem to be talking about shopping local a lot more. The consensus was that a thriving economy had trained us away the joy and adventure of shopping in our hometowns. Driving home I asked my parent’s where they shop local. Each had to take a moment and think, is there anywhere to shop local anymore? After a bit my father answered “Haberman Hardware, in Holyoke, they have everything. Pleasant Street Market. Pajer’s. Westfield Auto Parts. Other than that there is no where else to go.” After an even longer pause my mother added “Balboni Bakery in Feeding Hills. Rays farm stand in Southwick. Pilgrim Candle for unique ideas and their commitment to community. A jeweler. A seamstress. For clothes I would not know where to look unless you made the 45 minute trip to Northampton. For the uniqueness, quality and actual service it is a worthwhile commute.”
I like a story and that is why I like to shop local. On a hot, humid day in summer I will bike up a very big hill to get some Nestrovich peaches. Part of the joy is to get a smile and a little tale out of the Mr's Nestrovich. One legend is that the grandfather stopped in England on his way over from Russia, he was delayed a bit longer than planned because he literally missed the boat. Would he have enjoyed the company of the unsinkable Molly Brown had he managed to get on the Titanic? Now that the days grow dark so early, I have to drive down to Sweet Pea Cheese. Light or dark, entering their drive is always an adventure, look out for the free range chickens, especially if you are looking to pick up eggs for breakfast, and be prepare for the charming four legged greeting which includes the obligatory frisbee toss.
Another spot I frequent, not just because I am unconditionally biased, is at 382 Southampton Road in Westfield. It is the stories. From where a recipe came from, to the day Ashley Beluzo and Kati Lewantowicz stopped what they were doing to go and hunt the squirrels who let themselves in the front door, to the friends who stop by or keep in touch by e-mail just to let us know about the roasted squash they made with our Veggie Rub or ask if we would consider putting just a little more maple sugar in our polenta. The rich tapestry of tales that have brought us to where we are today are a constant cause for inspiration. It is a place where the perfect gift is not an investment. Our warm little spot is a reason to smile, relax, enjoy and share..... That is why I like to shop local!
Oh, and here is another very good reason - According to the Center for a New American Dream, each time you buy one pound of locally produced food, you help keep 13 pounds of carbon emissions out of the environment.
What is your favorite place to shop local?
A selection of spices to try when you post a story of your favorite place to shop local on our Facebook Page.
What you've shared:
- I like to shop at a local Farm Shop, Kilnford Barns. They have a great butchery and the staff are very helpful. All the meat is locally produced and they also stock a lot of other produce that is not available in other stores. Posted by Janice
- My favorite place is our local farmers market, it is a place to meet your neighbors, buy the freshest produce, have breakfast and listen to some of the best music the area has to offer. My second best place is a handmade candy shop that has been in the area for over 37 years. Love the people and especially the candy, yum. Posted by Sheryl
- I am in PUerto Rico. the best place on the whole Island is "Bottles Gourmet Shop and WIne Cafe" Located in the San Patricio area of Guynabo. The owner Richard and Chef Trent are the best. They will get you anything you are looking for. Everythign ocmes in fresh to them daily form Boston area markets etc. The food is to die for by Chef Trent and his staff. The wine selections is fabulous. From the Boars Head products to everything in the store one cannot say enough good things about this place. SO when and if you come to Puerto Rico m this is the place to come. Posted by Desia Anne
- My favorite place is the Natural Food Co-op. It has everything I love, for the face, body, food of course,and organic! Everything smells and taste yummy! :-)" Posted by Florina
- Marc Rosenkrantz • In northern new jersey Corrados and Market Basket are tops for gourmet food purchases.
- I love 25 Central In Northampton or at least the details section with inexpensive stockings, jewelry and hair accessories. I can't believe the pretty little things I can pick up in there from 5-10 dollars! Great post! Posted by April Ann
- I moved to Philadelphia recently from CT in large part due to the local food resources available (... and the grassroots urban homesteaders, glorious wall murals practically every block, great home grown, unexpected music and intimate venues, friendly diverse folk.... should I go on....). There are farmer's markets EVERYWHERE, and everyday. Amish farmers from Lancaster and Buck's County nearby proudly display their produce and homemade cheeses. We talk it up and I've shared with a few initially incredulous buyers, my receipe for a german dish that has potatoe, apple and the mysterious turnip (3 parts potatoe, one part turnip, one apple, boil/steam, mash together add some nutmeg, cinnimon and a drop of honey/maple syrup. yum). My local food co-op, Mt Airy's Weaver's Way, IS my community. When I go for my daily walk, exploring the diverse neighborhoods here, I have noticed I invariably end up at the co-op. Conscientiousness, kindness, aware sensibilities--- they all live there. I found my peeps! People are surprised when I tell them I moved here for the food. I guess they are thinking of haute cuisine. I am thinking of real, down to earth food; grown locally, it's origins and process respected and appeciated by Philadelphia's very cool culture. I'm now going to go pay my respects to my neighbor's backyard chickens. Maybe I'll score some eggs from him one of these days! Posted by Germaine
- I love Stinkybkln .....wonderful Artisan Cheese both raw and pasteurized, great assortment, also they have a Prosciutto bar make outstanding sandwiches, selling gift baskets etc....as a wine lover and cook, it is a nice to have a wine parring suggestion on each cheese they sell.
If you are in Brooklyn check out Stinkybrklyn, or you can order online www.stinkybklyn.com
Dan - Great post! I'm from Franklin County and love a lot of locally owned shops and businesses. A Turning Point Salon (Turners Falls), Green Field's Market, World Eye Books, Foster's, etc (Greenfield), the Montague Bookmill... Great places with good character!
Posted by Danielle - Going to Bottles today, for a nice late lunch and good wine andof course to do some wonderul shopping, IF one is not careful I can break my bank I love this place so. I shall thinkk of this disucssion while I am there!
Posted by Desia Anne - Janet Cam • For cook's supplies and inspiration - La Cuisine in Alexandria, Virginia. Dupont Farmer's Market for food. I found heirloom fruit -- i.e. Black Twig apples 1830 found in the mountains of W. North Carolina and E. Tennessee which was a favorite fruit of Andrew Jackson. There was also a Tsu Li pear which the farm stated was the oldest variety of fruit grown in the world -- sourced from the Yellow River Valley of China.
- For Brussels you best go to Catherine in the very centre, Rue du Midi.
One of the best cheese shops you can imagine, she knows almost each farmer personally and she represents all these locals in her shop.
Posted by Pierre - Northampton. Something for everyone! Posted by Nancy
- I am biased because my wife founded the store,but, we love operating Homegrown Food as Springfield, Mo's local food ago! We've met so many wonderful people both farmers and customers.
Posted by Ryan
