You are looking at Bossy’s home away from home(s), her local Co-op grocery store. When Bossy and her husband decided to leave the big city sixteen years ago, Bossy’s criteria for a neighborhood was simple: The town must have sidewalks, and people using those sidewalks, to deliver them to places such as the library, the post office, the coffeehouse, the fire station, the dry cleaners, and the flower shop.
Before Bossy continues, she needs to get this bit of business out of the way, otherwise known as Here comes the disclaimer, sports fans! Thanks to American Express for sponsoring Bossy’s writing today about small businesses. American Express is presenting Small Business Saturday, a way to honor the local merchants who are the backbone of the economy, on Saturday, November 27. They’re offering statement credits to people who shop at small businesses, advertising for small-business owners, and donations to Girls Inc. for “Likes” of the Small Business Saturday page on Facebook. Join the celebration by clicking the “Like” button and then visiting the Facebook page to learn more about the program and read the terms and conditions that apply. We now return you to your regularly scheduled post, already in progress!
At the top of Bossy’s list of small-town necessities was a food store within walking distance that was not a chain supermarket. Bossy grew up frequenting one of these individually-owned markets, which was located at the base of her high rise apartment building. It was called The Marketplace and was run by Mrs. Lee, who was something of a tyrant, even if she did special order things like Pecan Sandies for Bossy’s dad.
Fast forward thirty years. Every hour of every day at Bossy’s local Co-op market is like a neighborhood cocktail party, hold the cocktails. It’s a gathering place for people of every age, in every stage of ingredient need:
Bossy’s market features a great selection of meat, dairy, and pre-made entrées and desserts made on the spot:
And the Co-op’s personal relationships with area farmers result in a wide array of fresh, seasonal, organic options:
In terms of baguettes and bagels and the like, Bossy learned the hard way the downside of outstanding bread products is you better be there very early in the day if there’s a hope of scoring before they sell out:
But perhaps Bossy’s favorite part about her local grocery store was the three years it employed Bossy’s son:
The moral of this story is: go out there and support your own favorite small business! And think about pushing the Facebook like button below to spread the word.
Bossy was selected for this sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as does Bossy.
Suebob says
November 24, 2010 at 2:16 pmYour coop looks like it is full of wonder.
I wrote a small biz post and no one commented. So I’m here commenting so the same fate won’t befall you.
Here’s mine: http://suebobdavis.com/2010/11/23/43/
Kristi says
November 24, 2010 at 2:37 pmHear, Hear!
Caroline says
November 24, 2010 at 2:54 pmBossy, I have always thought that if I could not live in Hawai`i, I’d like to live in your neighborhood, because it just looks so AWESOME. Block parties, community theatre, parades, fantastic women friends all over the place… wow!
But this post makes me wonder if maybe I’d like your neighborhood even MORE than Hawai`i.
Those steaks make me drool! I would take home that turkey! And give such a loving home to those ugly tomatoes.
Much aloha to you; hope your undivorce is proceeding easily and gently and with much tenderness on both sides.
Mrs. Tuna says
November 24, 2010 at 3:10 pmHooray for small businesses!! Most stuff in Arizona is that darn chain variety.
Adorable Girlfriend says
November 24, 2010 at 3:13 pmI was recently in said Co-Op store with the Domestic Goddess.
The Domestic Goddess says
November 24, 2010 at 3:16 pmJust came from that particular store, funny! And, the pizza shop. And we also ducked into the coffee place. Because mommy needs caffeine.
Lori says
November 24, 2010 at 3:26 pmSmall businesses rock! They have that personal touch that makes the world of difference. {some of old timers refer to it as customer service}
Steve C says
November 24, 2010 at 3:26 pmMany days I feel ugly ripe……and worth about $2.99
Sad to say – I empathize with your tomatoes…..
p.j. says
November 24, 2010 at 4:28 pmBossy –
My Dad’s favorite cookies were Pecan Sandies, too. Sniff. He also loved the orange-pineapple ice cream that some dairy in Pa. (possibly NJ) used to make. Lambert’s or Lambertville comes to mind.
I try to shop at local businesses as much as possible – – I can’t remember the last time we went to a chain restaurant. Sorry, I don’t shop on Saturday, so I can’t make a statement then. Maybe Saturday night!
Take care and have a great Thanksgiving with your entire family, p.j.
feefifoto says
November 24, 2010 at 7:37 pmWe used to have a gift/novelty shop here that had EVERYTHING (mitten clips in summer? Got ’em). It was impossible to stump them. When they closed a few years ago the entire city grieved. Then they reopened but they were nowhere near as good or as thorough as before.
Happy ending, though: we also have a locally owned pharmacy that seems to have taken their place. I’ve only stumped them once (Big jigsaw puzzles? Yup. Soy candles? Right over here. But no pedometers). It’s a comfort to have a place like that nearby.
jean says
November 24, 2010 at 8:41 pmOh, I know that Co-op and used to love it too. It was always the best place around to get Tastykakes (of course, those were in its pre-makeover days — maybe it’s too fancy now to carry Tastykakes?). Anyhow, I’m feeling very happily nostalgic now. Thanks, Bossy. Happy Thanksgiving!
GrandeMocha says
November 24, 2010 at 8:45 pmCute place. I have nothing like that. No sidewalks either. ;(
JaneK says
November 24, 2010 at 9:33 pmI’m not on facebook (gasp!) but I really love the local grocer thing. We don’t have that here in Birmingham, AL….the closest we have is Whole Foods market which does try to be that even though it is a big chain……I’m jealous of your co-op!
zidia says
November 24, 2010 at 9:45 pmHey,pj The greatest ice cream store in Atlantic City was Lambert’s on Pacific Ave.I’ll bet that was the place your daddy loved—-I did,too!!
Although she probably doesn’t remember it, Bossy had a great Sundae there when she was 9 years old, in 197———-GUESS!!!.
Cupcake Murphy says
November 24, 2010 at 10:57 pmOh I love this Bossylicious post. I love all the HUGE small businesses that make such a difference in people’s lives.
KathyB says
November 24, 2010 at 11:07 pmWill be visiting out of town on Saturday, but SIL there owns a flower shop. Very small town. On Valentine’s Day parents send individual roses to their high school children.,
Nothing here like your Co-op. Good farmers’ markets in the summer with local goods. Possible to get local beef and poultry. I live four miles away from a supermarket. Sometimes they even have local stuff. Change in the air.
Smallish town here has a mixture of locally owned and chain/franchise stores. Lively place between two metro areas. Getting used to being back after an absence of decades. Happy Thanksgiving, Bossy and family and council.
BossysMom says
November 25, 2010 at 11:08 amHappy Thanksgiving.
kathleen says
November 26, 2010 at 12:30 amI have nothing like that here. When I need something special, I go to whole foods- an hour away.We do patronize family owned cafes and specialty shops. I hope you and yours had a wonderful day. We did and I’m still stuffed! Not so stuffed I couldn’t have some of my cranberry bread and cream cheese and two cups of tea!
Doug says
November 26, 2010 at 3:53 pmPecan Sandies were great when I was little and my dad & I would stuff ourselves. They suck now.
Feeling ugly & ripe right now too.
Hope you had a happy T-bird afternoon.
Leaf Probably says
November 27, 2010 at 3:46 amI TOTALLY understand the bread thing. My suburb has this amazing french bakery, that does the best french bread I’ve ever tasted (And trust me, I’ve tasted a LOT of french bread.)
The only problem with awesome bakery fresh bread, is that you have to get to the bakery right as they put the tray’s out, otherwise you’ll end up waiting in queue for up to an hour till they put the next few trays out!
Luckily, while you’re waiting in that queue, you can buy a few cherry tarts, and maybe an eclair or two, just to double-check the quality. Ok, and maybe some pizza bread.
(I am not allowed to visit tha bakery very often for very obvious reasons, namely: my thighs.)
Indie says
November 28, 2010 at 11:10 pmThis reminds me of the small grocery store in my hometown witha a population of around 2500 “back then”. It was full of fresh food and family owned. Sad to say a big grocery chain bought them out many years ago, there is a noticeable difference and not for the better 🙁
Reeb says
November 30, 2010 at 2:27 pmI just want to comment on commenter’s comments here.
#3/Caroline. Agree with everything you said. Except the Hawai’i part, my dream place in the world would be where I live now (western WA) only with all Bossy’s amenities within walking distance.
#10/Feefifoto (which is hard to type) — Just asking on the off-chance. You aren’t referring to Variety Fair in Houston are you, cause that was the most wondrous small store I’ve ever been in. Just loved going in with an obscure request, and then getting to marvel at Mr. Variety Fair marching straight to a beyond-cluttered display, wriggle his hand deep to the invisible depths at the back of the shelf, and pull out the requested item. Now THAT’s a fabulous small store!
Even though underwritten by AmEx, Bossy, thanks for posting this. Hey, you’re a small business of sorts!
foolery says
December 1, 2010 at 7:23 pmSo glad I came back (late) to read this. Sponsored post or not, it was wonderful.