Craving Connection And Chocolate During Covid-19
So, how are we doing?
We’re about one month into this nether-worldly realm that COVID-19 has forced upon us. Time to take our collective temperature, and what better way than by surveying the items we are hankering for?
But conversations with shop owners in the Rural Intelligence region also reveal how small businesses — the ones that are able to remain open — are faring. We at home are grateful that we can still procure many of the things we want via mail order or curbside pickup, and similarly, the main expression of the business owners we talked to — and they are working their tails off — was one of gratitude.
Yup, we’re in this together.
Photo courtesy Paper Trail
“The major number one hit has been puzzles,” says Serine Hastings, who, along with Maureen Missner, owns the stylish gift emporium. “It’s one of the few things in our inventory we’ve actually replenished.”
The website has been quite active, and the owners are “extremely appreciative” of the orders they’re getting from both local customers and those from farther afield.
Other popular items? Lotions, nice pens, journals, jewelry, scarves — things that make people feel happy and occupied, Missner says. Gift giving hasn’t stopped; that’s always a big chunk of their business.
Even with the flurry of products being ordered from the website, the owners have had to furlough their whole staff.
“It’s just the two of us keeping everything going,” Missner says. “We’re looking forward to the day when we can open our doors.”
One Mercantile, Great Barrington, MA
“It seems like there are a lot of people doing little home improvement projects,” surmises Andy Purhenski, who co-owns One Mercantile with Abby Webster. The shop, which offers functional, well made and unique items for the home, is a natural go-to place for those looking to spruce up their living quarters. They’re buying whimsical doorknobs, hardware and hooks. But they’re buying comforting things, too: chocolate bars, lotions, bath salts.
“We’ve started making themed care packages, curated boxes so people can send gifts,” says Pruhenski. There are care packages of all food or cocktails; others themed bath and body, gardening, baby, and chocolate.
Pruhenski and Webster are donating 20% percent of the proceeds to the People’s Pantry.
“It helps them, it helps us, and helps the small product makers who are our suppliers,” Pruhenski says.
Photo courtesy Talbott & Arding
Comfort and convenience: that's what Talbott & Arding is serving up, available as curbside pickup or delivery. The cheese and provisions purveyor on Warren Street has shifted its menu to accommodate more fridge and freezer stocking. The biggest sellers are the oyster mushroom lasagna and chicken pot pie, says Brad Daschbach, the general manager. There's also been an increase in the sales of par-baked baguettes (cut them in half, freeze one half and bake the other).
There's also been an uptick in the artisan chocolate bar sales. "Our friends at Fruition Chocolate make some great small batch bars and we've had to reorder those a few times," Daschbach says. And the house-made carrot cake with maple buttercream frosting is the bestselling item from the pastry team.
"Everything is so crazy and unpredictable right now that it's reassuring and calming to be able to indulge in your favorite snacks or treats," he says.
South Egremont Spirit Shoppe, South Egremont, MA
The relatively new wine/beer/spirit store focuses on “off-the-beaten-path products,” says Dan Thomas, who owns the shop along with Tom Morrison.
Wine sales are going two ways, he reports. From the people who want comfort, there are sales of wine from the regions they know. But the adventurous clientele want to try novel things because they’re stuck at home. They might be cooking new recipes and want to experiment with their wines or spirits.
“Traditionally, restaurants were the way to be introduced to new things,” Thomas says. But now people are relying on social media to see what’s popular, and using this period as a chance to explore. They’re shopping smarter.
And buying lots of gin, hoping to usher in spring by stirring up gin and tonics.
Kira Wizner of Merritt Bookstore
Merritt Bookstore, Millbrook, NY
Owner Kira Wizner is the face of the bookstore. Her daily Instagram and Facebook video posts convey her enthusiasm for reading and bookselling. And despite the fact that she wasn’t prepared for this way of selling — “we’re not set up for this; it’s so much less efficient than it could be” — she’s grateful to be able to get people the books, toys, puzzles, and other accoutrements you’d find in your neighborhood bookstore.
Although there aren’t any titles overwhelmingly requested, people seem to be going back to things they never got around to reading, like the philosophers, Wizner says. Others have been requesting books about pandemics to gain a better understanding of what’s going on. And some have ordered books for kids because…home schooling.
Here’s why we buy local: Wizner will order a book if she doesn’t have it in stock. She’ll mail it to you, or arrange for contactless porch pickup, even after hours, if necessary. You can make phone and FaceTime shopping appointments with her. “We are in this with you,” she says. “We want the virus to stop spreading, which means staying home.” And reading!
Photo courtesy Samuel's Sweet Shop
Samuel’s Sweet Shop, Rhinebeck, NY
Curbside takeout for chocolate, anyone? Samuel’s Sweet Shop is classified as a restaurant (it serves coffee and baked goods), so it can be open for takeout, says Manager-Partner John Traver. “We’re trying to carry on and conduct business in these new times.”
Being on lockdown over the Easter season could have been a big problem; Easter is a huge holiday for candy sales. But Samuel’s put together an Easter sampler and sales off the website did so well, they plan to put one together for Mother’s Day. The other samplers are also popular. (It doesn’t hurt that the shop is owned by three celebrities: Paul Rudd, Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Hilarie Burton, who each composed their own favorites collection).
“We’re doing our best to find creative ways to bring Samuel’s into people’s home,” Traver says. “I feel really grateful. My heart goes out to shop owners who can’t be open.”
“it’s certainly not just teas,” says Emeric Harney, when asked what orders are coming through their website.
But who would have guessed that one of the biggest sellers at Harney & Sons Master Tea Blenders would be…oat milk? You heard that right. The renowned tea maker, with headquarters in Millerton, also has a pantry division, and people seem to be appreciating the fact that they can get certain goods without stepping into a supermarket. The Harney website is selling a lot of shelf-stable Patagonia Provisions brand of wild sockeye salmon, mussels and mackerel. (“I guess people are still into getting their Omega threes,” says Harney.) Cookies and scone mixes are doing well, too.
What perhaps is not surprising: over in the hemp division, people are ordering the CBD-infused teas and elixirs named Calm, Siesta, and Rest.
Photo courtesy Bimi's Cheese Shop
Bimi’s Cheese Shop, Chatham, NY
Why are we not shocked to hear that bagel sales have skyrocketed? Talk about comfort food. Ellen Waggett, owner of Bimi’s, has always sold a few grocery items along with a great selection of cheeses and prepared foods, but in the last few weeks has pivoted to cater to what people are craving right now, even if it’s not a typical cheese shop item.
One of the biggest sellers is flour, which she never carried before. In fact, flour, Gruyere and prosciutto are in such demand, she says she cannot buy enough of those three things to satisfy Columbia County. Their soups, too, go fast every day.
Bimi’s has been closed only one day since the general shutdown.
“I needed my staff to get their heads back together,” Waggett says. “Then we came back in and had to reinvent this business. We’ve grown more into a grocery store. We stopped doing breakfasts because of the wear and tear on my staff. It’s been exhausting, sad and scary.”
But she’s buoyed by the support she’s receiving from the town.
“There is a large contingent of people who are worried about us,” she says. “Store like ours are crucial to anchoring main street. We’re open every day and serve everybody. People want to help any store that’s open, at least in Chatham.”
More than anything, she says, people are craving a friend and smile.
“We try to provide that, even behind a mask.”
Please Support Rural Intelligence
We want to continue delivering the entertaining, informative and upbeat stories in the inimitable Rural Intelligence style, despite a pandemic. But we need your support to keep us going. Please consider making a donation; even a small amount helps secure our future. Support us now.
(If you prefer, mail a check to: 45 Pine Grove Ave., Suite 303, Kingston, NY 12401.)
Support Now