Mahon About Town Nantucket BlogHere’s a summary of the retail changes from 2009 to 2010 – in ownership and location, including those going out of business. I’ll update as more information comes in. If you know of any additional changes, please let me know. (I’ll verify your tips before printing.)
Tom Dickson of Orange Street Video has rented one of the rooms of the store to Sarah Hutton and Buzz Williams for a jewelry and art gallery. The building has been on the market for some time now with no takers, but Tom plans to continue to operate it as a video store.
Debbie and Doug Sosebee have taken over the Mielko Gallery on South Wharf, and will all it Sosebee Studio and Fine Art Gallery. Debbie will be painting down there on a regular basis, and the gallery will also show the work of Barbara Capizzo and Barbara Peavey. Opening May 23rd.
Lilly Fitzgerald will open a jewelry store in the Pacific Club building at 15 Main Street. Details in the Independent.
Molly Martin and Pam Diem will open Little Miss Drama, a jewelry store on Old South Wharf. Details in the Independent.
Laura Munder will open a jewelry store at 50 Main St. next to the Trinity Collection. Details in the Independent.
Kathleen Kelliher will have a gallery at 22 Old South Wharf, formerly the Capizzo Gallery. Details in the Independent.
The chocolate lingerie has closed at 44 Centre Street, to be replaced by Cooper-Shepherd Real Estate. Details in the Independent.
Sylvia Antiques is moving from Ray’s Court to 167 Orange St., which had been Nantucket Island House Antique Consignments. Details in the Independent.
The Chamber of Commerce will be relocating to new offices upstairs at Zero Main Street, providing more space for the Chamber staff. These were once the offices of Walter Beinecke and Nancy Sevrens, Sherburne Associates. The Chamber office will be closed on February 28 and 29 for an office transition and will reopen on Monday, March 3 in their new location.
After 25 great years, Peter Conway has sold the Carlisle House Inn. The new owner is Heather Sheldon, who will be the live-in manager/owner, and plans to be open year round. Peter expects to still be on island as much as possible.
The Hawthorn House at 2 Chestnut Street is for sale.
Sanford Real Estate and Great Point Properties have merged, will relocate both businesses to the corner of North Beach and Easton Streets, and will be called Great Point Properties. (Sources, Independent and the Inquirer and Mirror)
Outdoor Power Equipment, 85 Pleasant Street, has been sold to Rusty Campbell, who has changed the name to Rusty’s Outdoor Power Equipment. (Source: Nantucket Independent).
Mitchell’s Book Corner has been sold, and will remain a book store. Established in 1968, the building and business were bought by Wendy Schmidt, a summer resident and wife of Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google. Former owner Mimi Beman will continue to work at the store through then the transition, and green renovations will be made to the building.
For the full story, see the Independent and Inquirer & Mirror stories. The business will be operated by Mary Jennings and Lucretia Voigt.
In Mimi’s last weekly advertisement in the I&M, she said in part: “It is with relief, sadness, anticipation (and dreams of Italy) that I am stepping down as owner of MBC. I am passing the baton to a young, energetic, technologically savvy generation of booksellers… We feel very fortunate that it has been possible in these changing times to preserve our little literary corner of Main Street…Thank you community of Nantucket, year round, summer and yes, even day trippers, for all your support through the years.
Not at all one to pat herself on the back, Jim Sulzer and Barbara Elder sent me this, which says it better than I could:
“Nantucket has long been fortunate to have two distinctive, independent bookstores, and the purchase of Mitchell’s Book Corner by Wendy Schmidt promises to continue that run of good luck.
“As long-time owner Mimi Beman prepares to pass on the torch, it is time to acknowledge all she has done as the force behind Mitchell’s. Through her taste, care, and untiring hard work, she has created more than just a special bookstore. For the past three decades, Mimi has been nothing less than the guardian angel of Nantucket readers and writers. She has seemingly read every book, new and old, in the place and can give an informed, personal assessment of each. She knows all her customers, their families, and their histories and has shown an uncanny ability to match every reader with the right books. Meanwhile, quietly and behind the scenes, she has helped countless local authors find a publisher and an audience. She reads manuscripts, offers advice and encouragement, and stages wonderful book-signings. It’s difficult to imagine how she has found enough hours in the day to accomplish it all.
“A heartfelt thank you to Mimi from all of us who know and appreciate the many ways you have enriched our lives.”
The Murray’s Beverages building is for sale for $6.5 million. The liquor store can be purchased seperately. Independent.
Marine Home Center is entertaining an offer to be purchased, recapitalized, and expanded by a Boston investment company named the Audax Group. A deal could be made in the next 2 to 3 months. Story at the I&M.
A new shoe store called Addison Craig will open this spring in the location formerly occupied by R.J. Miller, Zero Main Street. Their Sarasota Florida salon carries designer shoes and accessories such as bags and earrings. Source: Nantucket Independent.
Capizzo Gallery at 22 Old South Wharf has closed its doors after 19 years in business.
Curves, the exercise club for women only, is closed. Their lease was not renewed.
Jim Cromartie and Kerry Hallam will be back on Easy Street. After a one year hiatus, the Cromartie Gallery will open soon as its former Easy Street location, with paintings and prints from the pair.
Round the Horn, which occupied the Cromartie Gallery space for one year, is moving to Federal Street.
Andrew Maury, grandson of John Maury who operated The Emporium on Main Street for many years, is planning to open a clothing store called Nantucket Brand at the space formerly occupied by Tonkin of Nantucket, directly across Main Street from Even Keel. Full story in the Independent and I&M.
Gypsy, owned by Paula Gonfrade, will move from their upstairs spot at 47 Main to 20 Federal Street, now under renovations.
For a comprehensive summary of all retail changes, see Mary Lancaster’s article, with photos, in the Independent.
Cellist Molly Glazer will be joined at times by three of her student chamber ensemble players – River Bennett, Zeb Bennett and Grace MacLellan, which will included pieces by Bach, Handel, and Vivaldi in concert this Sunday. $15, free for NHA members or with museum admission. 508-228-1894, ext. 0. Sunday, March 11, 1 pm at the Whaling Museum.
A reminder that tickets are on sale for the Wine Festival, and selling fast. Some events are already sold out. Why should anyone go? Well, if you come up with one of the top 10 reasons to go, you’ll win access to the exclusive, invite-only Festival kick-off party held every April in Boston. Plus bragging rights. The competition is sponsored by Marlo Monthly. Send any number of your reasons to: mfogelman@marlomc.com, and be sure to include your mailing address. If you’re one of the lucky 10, you’ll receive an invite in the mail for the April festivities.
Jamie Ranney is back on GenoTv with his interview show, Friday nights at 8 pm, Channel 17.
The news that none of us wanted to hear: Fahey and Fromagerie is for sale. It’s highly unlikely, though not impossible, that it will ever be a market again. From the day I came in 1969 when it was Rabimbas’s (spelling may be incorrect), that portion of Pleasant Street always felt the most “New England-like” and green of all places on the island, with large deciduous trees embracing the roadside market. Michael and Jose and his wife did the best they could to keep it open. Jordan Real Estate has the listing at $1,579,000. Hey, Nantucket Land Bank. Can you buy this thing, and lease it back to someone like Jose, just to retain the historic character of the neighborhood?
Roger Seitz likes to fly under the radar. He wrote a novel that I don’t believe he ever tried to get published, but printed me out a copy on his computer when I asked to see it. Then he decided he wanted to be an auctioneer, so off he went to take a course and get his license. Now he’s started up a weekly live auction with one classified ad. It’s called Barnaby’s Auction – Saturdays in March at the Loft at Bartlett’s Farm. Preview from 10 to 2, and the auction begins at 3. Roger told me he has only committed through March 24th, but if enough people show up … For information and consigning, call Roger at 325-0077.
Coming up this weekend is the 8th Annual Kathi Ring Memorial Casino Night, with table gambling, raffles and a silent auction. The $15 admission includes a free raffle ticket, free buffet tables, DJ Bobby Lamb and the Bob Lehman Trio, and benefits the Nantucket Cottage Hospital. 508-825-8250 for information. Faregrounds Restaurant, Saturday, March 10, 7 to midnight.
Nantucket Historical Association Executive Director Bill Tramposch introduces ‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ at the Nantucket Atheneum, presented as a part of the Nantucket Arts Council and the Atheneum ‘Books To Film’ series. Released in 1962, ‘To Kill A Mockingbird‘ is based on a Harper Lee novel of the same name. Through the eyes of ‘Scout,’ a feisty six-year-old tomboy the film carries us on an odyssey through the fires of prejudice and injustice in 1932 Alabama. Free Admission. Saturday, March 10, 7 pm.
For this upsoming edition of Armchair Theatre, Laura Byrne directs Kent Ludwig’s comedy “Moon Over Buffalo”, hosted by Bob & Nina Hellman at 4 Gay Street. Bring a dish to share (main dish, salad, or dessert) and a beverage (coffee provided). Potluck at 6; reading 7 approx. Presentation of the Theatre Workshop of Nantucket. Contact: Grace Noyes at 508-228-5485. Sunday, March 11, 6 pm.
The political season is upon us. First up, the Nantucket Civic League presents “Meet the Articles“, with presentations about town meeting articles sponsored by citizens. Refreshments served. Nantucket Atheneum Great Hall. http://www.nantucketcivicleague.org. Friday (9th), 4:30 to 6:30.
Here’s a round up of the changes in business ownerships and/or locations that have come to light in the past month or two:
E-mail me any recent changes you know of not listed here.
Here’s a round up of the changes in business ownerships and/or locations that have come to light in the past month or two:
E-mail me any recent changes you know of not listed here.
Mahon About Town Nantucket Blog 