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Best of the Vineyard Introduction by Geoff Currier Interviews by Tom Dresser Each July, Martha's Vineyard Magazine polls a group of profoundly knowledgeable voters to find out which businesses on the Island are the very best at what they do. This year we canvassed our subscribers and those who purchased the magazine at a newsstand. Over the fall, winter, and spring, we received some 400 ballots, so the list doesn't get more definitive or Vineyard-specific than this one. (Look for the 2007 Best of the Vineyard ballot in the August edition of the magazine and online. We've been conducting this vote for a few years now, and that put us in mind of history: What would we receive, we wondered, if we asked the winning companies to open their scrapbooks and send us pictures and mementos from the earliest days of their enterprises? Tom Dresser, our reporter for the Best of the Vineyard section this year, came into the office with a fine collection of Vineyard artifacts and stories. Just have a look. BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP Cars Unlimited "It's been ten years since we've owned the building here at the Airport Business Park," says Terry Pothier, office manager of Cars Unlimited and co-owner of the company with her husband David Pothier. But that's not where Cars Unlimited got underway. After working in the auto-repair business for fourteen years, both on-Island and off, David started his own business in a rented garage on Dukes County Avenue, across from Tony's Market, in Oak Bluffs. (That's David with the balloons on opening day in April 1987.) After two moves, the company settled at the business park in April 1996. How did Cars Unlimited win the award for best auto repair shop? "Having the right technicians and training that goes into this. Finding the right mix of guys to work and training them," says David. Terry looks around the facility, which is state of the art. Then she looks at the photo of David with the balloons on opening day, and decides that what's at the heart of Cars Unlimited hasn't really changed. "This is a family business," she says. "A mom-and-pop shop." BEST LUNCH RESTAURANT Slice of Life BEST DINNER RESTAURANT The Sweet Life Café "It's the first time we won first place for both places in the same year," says Mary Kenworth, co-owner with husband Jackson of Slice of Life (best lunch restaurant) and The Sweet Life Café (best dinner restaurant), across the street from each other on Circuit Avenue in Oak Bluffs. Though the Kenworths keep receipts with the names of famous patrons encircled by hearts (sirloin and salmon for Tom Hanks, duck hash and an oatmeal for President Clinton), our favorite item from the Sweet Life and Slice of Life scrapbooks is a June 6, 2005, letter from nine-year-old Rosie Cipolla of Oak Bluffs to the crème brûlée she'd just had for dessert: "The first time I had you I was 4. It was at the Sweet Life and after that I really did have a sweet life!!!! You're so good with a creamy center like a thick [sensation]. With a crunchy cooked coasted sueger that tasts like the sweetest thing you could ever have!!!! You're the best thing, I'm sorry I have to do this to [you:] crunch, crunch, crunch. xxxooo. Your favorite fan, Rosie Cipolla." BEST GARDEN CENTER OR NURSERY Donaroma's Nursery and Landscape Services This hot-pink T-shirt was the official Donaroma work shirt back in the early 1970s. Though the image on the back has faded a bit, the symbolism would have been hard to parse out even when the shirt was brand new. Basically, the rising sun illuminates a handshake between a lawn (the green arm) and a human (the checked-shirt arm), which illustrates how lawn and man need each other to thrive. The ivy that borders the whole image represents friendship and fidelity and is a favorite plant of founder Mike Donaroma's, says Mariko Kawaguchi, senior designer of the Edgartown company that won best garden center or nursery this year. "Yes," said Mariko when asked the obvious question. "Mike's crew really did work in this shirt. They had to be very brave, very virile guys – even in the groovy early 1970s." BEST WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORE The Green Room At the end of the summer of 2003, the employees at The Green Room – winner this year of the best women's clothing store – gave founder and owner Elaine Barse a collage to commemorate the season just gone by. It hangs by Elaine's desk at her store on Main Street in Vineyard Haven, and we point out two Australian employees, Alison Bishop and Melissa Morgan, who have worked at The Green Room for three years, and actually put together the collage. The image shows Alison and Melissa getting ready to hit the water with their boards at Long Point in West Tisbury. "I started The Green Room in 1994, just me, me, me, and the bank," says Elaine. The business got underway as a surf shop on Spring Street. "We purchased LeRoux Clothing in 2003 and got into women's clothing. It's allowed me to grow my business, to grow as a person, and to have a lot of fun with it. "My boyfriend has been wonderful. Chris Egan has been the guy behind the scenes, the computer networking, physical maintenance, and that's allowed me to develop my business." BEST BANK Martha's Vineyard Co-operative Bank The toddler standing on the stoop of the office of Dr. Thomas C. Cosgrove of Vineyard Haven is Donald DeSorcy of Tisbury. The date is April 13, 1930. What's remarkable about the shot is that the Martha's Vineyard Co-operative Bank would move to the office of Dr. Cosgrove after he left the Island in the 1950s. And Donald DeSorcy grew up to serve as vice chairman of the board of directors of the bank, which was voted the best on the Island by our readers this year. BEST ANTIQUE STORE Past and Presents "This is the English gentleman who makes it all happen," says Beverly Fearey, who, with Jane Norton, runs Past and Presents, the Edgartown company that won best antique store this year. Anthony Newman serves as the British courier to Past and Presents. "He's seventy years old and has been doing this for a million years," says Beverly. "In England, where we buy most of our stuff, Tony takes us to places not open to the public, and to places all over the countryside. Tony [keeps track of] prices, the circa dates, and describes and numbers each item. The shipper puts it in a forty-foot container and sends it to New York and by barge to Boston." When Trip Barnes, the Tisbury mover, hauls the treasure to Edgartown, "they close off Main Street to unload our furniture. It's so much fun." BEST BREAKFAST RESTAURANT ArtCliff Diner Tina Miller gave this matchbook to Gina Stanley, who owns the ArtCliff Diner in Vineyard Haven, which won the award for best breakfast restaurant this year. After the death of Milton Burt, a native of North Tisbury, there was a yard sale. Tina, a food writer from West Tisbury, purchased a quarter of Milton's Vineyard matchbook collection. (She has between thirty and fifty of them.) "One has Alley's General Store when it was Mayhew's. It used to be a form of advertising." The diner has been in business since 1943, and this matchbook is from that era. "It's a local hangout with an old vintage feel," says Gina. "I love the fact it has atmosphere. Lots of locals say it's not pristine, but kind of quirky. The girls are very friendly. They don't wear uniforms. Many people say they feel like they're sitting in their mother's kitchen, eating breakfast. This is my sixth season. I do love it." BEST CATERER Fella Caters Jane Cecilio of Fella Caters hands over a thank-you note from Jackie Onassis, a summer resident of Aquinnah. "Her parties ranged from 80 to 120 people. It was the Sunday of Labor Day, and it was her party for the Kennedy clan. They came over by boats or buses. It was a fun beach day for them, swimming, volleyball, burgers, and barbecue chicken – casual but nice. We catered her parties from 1985 to 1993." Fella Caters was established in May 1984. The company set up a deli in the former Biga Bakery in North Tisbury in November of last year. "We've been around a long time, and we take a lot of pride. It's nice to get the recognition," says Jane of the award for best caterer. Each season Fella caters about 100 events, ranging from 20 to 600 customers each. "One way we expanded the business several years ago is we market our own barbecue sauce and fresh salsa. It gives us more name recognition. We do breakfast sandwiches and muffins, and pizza slices, and we plan to do nighttime pizza. This summer it will be seven days a week, 7 a.m. to 8 p.m." BEST LANDSCAPE COMPANY Landscope "That's Bob Vila's house," says John Clift, manager and designer at Landscope, which won the award for best landscape company. "Fred [Fred Fournier, founder of Landscope] designed and installed the landscaping. The men with him" – from left to right in this photo from the early 1990s: Mark Lema, Fred Fournier, Brian Lee, Dave Durren – "are full-time employees. Some of the landscaping was filmed for Home Again and shown on TV. Fred had his fifteen seconds of fame on camera with the stone work." John says that Fred was inspired to create Landscope in 1980 by Paul Flynn, a landscape architect professor at the University of Vermont in the late 1970s. Landscope is known for its stone masonry and walls, native-tree and wildflower meadows, and paths and parking courts that accent its landscape designs. BEST JEWELER CB Stark Of CB Stark, the Vineyard Haven and Edgartown company that regularly wins the award for best jeweler on the Vineyard, Cheryl Stark says: "I started it in 1966. I came here to teach jewelry making through the craft center. The next year I opened a leather and silver shop, where the Black Dog Bakery is now. I was there seventeen years, then came up to Main Street. In 1972 Margery Meltzer apprenticed and became my partner, both in the shop and in life. "The first twenty years I had to scallop, paint houses, waitress, pick tomatoes. We were the first hand-made jewelry store on the Island." BEST CHOWDER The Net Result Andrew Larsen, then age four, rides on the back of his father Louis, who founded The Net Result of Vineyard Haven back in 1985. It wins the award for best chowder in 2006. "Louis worked for his parents' fish market [in Menemsha, now run by his sister Betsy] and went fishing with his father but wanted his own business," says his wife Beth. "We have three boys and they've all worked at The Net Result. Travis and Hans are through college, but Andrew just finished his sophomore year and will work there full time this summer." The chowder, which wins Island competitions besides this one, comes by the bowl, cup – or bag, which serves eight. BEST FITNESS CENTER Vineyard Tennis Center, Workout and Spa In September 1995, Ken Martin of Tisbury and Connie McHugh of Edgartown met at a community gathering to urge the town of Tisbury to build a bubble over a pair of new tennis courts near the Lagoon. The town decided not to do it. But Ken and Connie kept talking after one of those meetings and discovered they shared a vision: to open the first genuine, indoor, year-round tennis facility on the Vineyard. Within a year, they secured the land, developed the blueprints, obtained the permits and financing, and built the facility. The Vineyard Tennis Center opened in September 1996. Since then, the facility – located on the Airport Road in West Tisbury, and winner for the second time this year of the award for best fitness center – has grown to include a fitness club, hot tub, steam room, and sauna. There are more than thirty fitness classes, five personal trainers, a certified professional from the United States Professional Tennis Association, a full-time massage therapist, and several receptionists. "Two perfect strangers have truly remained perfect business partners," says Connie. BEST ANTIQUE STORE Past and Presents RUNNER-UP Tisbury Antiques 339 State Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-8333. BEST ART GALLERY The Granary Gallery 636 Old County Road, West Tisbury. 508-693-0455. RUNNER-UP The Christina Gallery 32 North Water Street, Edgartown. 508-627-8794. BEST AUTO REPAIR SHOP Cars Unlimited North Line Road, Edgartown. 508-693-6544. RUNNER-UP Courtesy Motors 9 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-5010. BEST BAIT AND TACKLE Coop's Bait and Tackle 147 West Tisbury Road, Edgartown. 508-627-3909. RUNNER-UP Dick's Bait Shop New York Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-7669. BEST BAKERY Humphreys Woodland Market, State Road, Tisbury. 508-693-1079. 1 Lake Street, Oak Bluffs. 508-696-6890. 33 Winter Street, Edgartown. 508-627-7029. RUNNER-UP The Scottish Bakehouse 977 State Road, Tisbury. 508-693-6633. BEST BANK Martha's Vineyard Co-operative Bank Main office: 40 South Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-0161. Branches in Oak Bluffs and West Tisbury. RUNNER-UP Dukes County Savings Bank Branches in Chilmark (508-645-3811), Edgartown (508-627-4266 and 9966), Oak Bluffs (508-696-9355), Tisbury (508-693-2666), and West Tisbury (508-693-3232). BEST BAR/PUB The Newes from America 23 Kelley Street, Edgartown. 508-627-4397. RUNNER-UP Offshore Ale Company 30 Kennebec Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-2626. BEST BED AND BREAKFAST Hob Knob Inn 128 Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-9510. RUNNER-UP Thorncroft Inn 460 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-3333. BEST BIKE RENTAL/REPAIR Martha's Bike Rentals Five Corners, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-6593. RUNNER-UP Anderson's Bike Rentals 23 Circuit Avenue Extension, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-9346. BEST BOOKSTORE Bunch of Grapes 44 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-2291. RUNNER-UP Edgartown Books 44 Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-8463. BEST BREAKFAST RESTAURANT ArtCliff Diner 39 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-1224. RUNNER-UP Linda Jean's Restaurant 25 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-4093. BEST BURGER Offshore Ale Company 30 Kennebec Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-2626. RUNNER-UP The Wharf Pub and Restaurant Lower Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-9966. BEST CANDY STORE Chilmark Chocolates State Road, Chilmark. 508-645-3013. RUNNER-UP Ice Cream and Candy Bazaar 5 Dock Street, Edgartown. 508-627-8735. BEST CATERER Fella Caters P.O. Box 1413, Vineyard Haven MA 02568. 508-693-1572. RUNNER-UP V. Jaime Hamlin and Sons 71 Lake Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-6313. BEST CHOWDER The Net Result 79 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-6071. RUNNER-UP Home Port Restaurant North Road, Menemsha. 508-645-2679. BEST CLAMBAKE Bill Smith's MV Clambake Edgartown. 508-627-8809. RUNNER-UP Fella Caters P.O. Box 1413, Vineyard Haven MA 02568. 508-693-1572. BEST CHILDREN'S CLOTHING STORE Basics 22 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-8819. BEST MEN'S CLOTHING STORE Sundog 41 Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-5254. RUNNER-UP Brickman's 8 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-0047. 33 Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-4700. BEST WOMEN'S CLOTHING STORE The Green Room 71 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-6888. RUNNER-UP Laughing Bear 33 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-9342. BEST COFFEE SHOP Mocha Mott's 10 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-696-1922. 15 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-3155. RUNNER-UP Espresso Love 17 Church Street, Edgartown. 508-627-9211. BEST DELI Humphreys Woodland Market, State Road, Tisbury. 508-693-1079. 1 Lake Street, Oak Bluffs. 508-696-6890. 33 Winter Street, Edgartown. 508-627-7029. RUNNER-UP Menemsha Deli 24 Basin Road, Menemsha. 508-645-9902. BEST DINNER RESTAURANT Sweet Life Café 63 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-696-0200. RUNNER-UP Lambert's Cove Inn and Restaurant Off Lambert's Cove Road, West Tisbury. 508-693-2298. BEST FISH AND CHIPS Sandy's Fish and Chips At John's Fish Market, State Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-1220. RUNNER-UP The Newes from America 23 Kelley Street, Edgartown. 508-627-4397. BEST FISH MARKET The Net Result Tisbury Marketplace, Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-6071. RUNNER-UP Edgartown Seafood 138 Cooke Street, Edgartown. 508-627-3791. BEST FISHING CHARTER BOAT Skipper Party Boat On the bulkhead, across from the Island Queen, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-1238. BEST FITNESS CENTER Vineyard Tennis Center, Workout and Spa 22 Airport Road, West Tisbury. 508-696-8000. RUNNER-UP Mansion House Health Club and Spa 9 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-2200. BEST FLORIST Donaroma's Nursery and Landscape Services 271 Upper Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-8366. RUNNER-UP Morrice Florist 149 State Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-0392. BEST FRIED CLAMS Giordano's Restaurant 107 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-0184. RUNNER-UP The Bite 29 Basin Road, Menemsha. 508-645-9239. BEST GARDEN CENTER/NURSERY Donaroma's Nursery and Landscape Services 271 Upper Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-8366. RUNNER-UP Vineyard Gardens 484 State Road, West Tisbury. 508-693-8512. BEST GIFT SHOP Rainy Day 66 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-1830. RUNNER-UP Willoughby Essentials 12 North Water Street, Edgartown. 508-627-3369. BEST HAIRDRESSER bouclé 12 North Water Street, Edgartown. 508-627-3853. RUNNER-UP Wavelengths 223 Upper Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-7066. BEST HARDWARE STORE Shirley's Hardware 374 State Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-3070. RUNNER-UP H.N. Hinckley and Sons, Inc./Ace Hardware 27 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-0075. BEST HOME FURNISHINGS Vineyard Decorators Martha's Vineyard Airport. 508-693-9197. RUNNER-UP Island Home Furnishings 412 State Road, Tisbury. 508-693-6665. BEST HOTEL/INN Harbor View Hotel 131 North Water Street, Edgartown. 508-627-7000. RUNNER-UP Mansion House 9 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-2200. BEST ICE CREAM SHOP Ben and Bill's Chocolate Emporium 20 A Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. RUNNER-UP Mad Martha's 20 Union Street, Vineyard Haven. 12 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 7 North Water Street, Edgartown. BEST JEWELER CB Stark Jewelers 53 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-2284. 27 North Water Street, Edgartown. 508-627-1260. RUNNER-UP Claudia 51 Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-8306. 34 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-5465. BEST LANDSCAPE COMPANY Landscope Landscape Construction MV Business Park, 16 A Street, Edgartown. 508-696-8812. RUNNER-UP Donaroma's Nursery and Landscape Services 271 Upper Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-8366. BEST LIVE BAND Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish johnnyhoyandthebluefish.com. 508-696-3007. RUNNER-UP Entrain P.O. Box 2223, Vineyard Haven MA 02568. 508-693-1291. BEST LUNCH RESTAURANT Slice of Life 50 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-3838. RUNNER-UP Linda Jean's Restaurant 25 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-4093. BEST NATURE WALK Felix Neck Wildlife Sanctuary Off the Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road, Edgartown. 508-627-4850. BEST NIGHT ENTERTAINMENT SPOT The Hot Tin Roof Closed, but see our feature story on the early days. BEST PACKAGE STORE tie Jim's Package Store 27 Lake Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-0236. Our Market 2 East Chop Drive, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-3000. BEST PIZZA tie Giordano's Restaurant 107 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-0184. Lattanzi's Pizzeria Post Office Square, Edgartown. 508-627-9084. BEST PLACE TO CATCH A STRIPED BASS If we told you, we'd be killed. BEST PLACE TO GET PICNIC FOOD Soigne 190 Upper Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-8489. RUNNER-UP Louis' Tisbury Café and Take Out 250 State Road, Tisbury. 508-693-3255. BEST REALTOR COMPANY Coldwell Banker / Landmarks Real Estate 15 Church Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-6866. 55 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-696-8266. RUNNER-UP Island Real Estate 107 Beach Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-4800. BEST SEAFOOD RESTAURANT Home Port Restaurant North Road, Menemsha. 508-645-2679. RUNNER-UP The Square Rigger At the Triangle, Edgartown. 508-627-9968. BEST SHOE STORE Brickman's 8 Main Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-0047. RUNNER-UP Petunia's Shoes 37 Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-7505. BEST SOURCE FOR FRESH ISLAND PRODUCE Morning Glory Farm 100 Meshacket Road, Edgartown. 508-627-9003. RUNNER-UP West Tisbury Farmer's Market Grange Hall, West Tisbury. (Wednesdays and Saturdays.) BEST SUNDAY BRUNCH Coach House, Harbor View Hotel 131 North Water Street, Edgartown. 508-627-7000. RUNNER-UP Farm Neck Golf Club Café 1 Farm Neck Way, off County Road, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-3560. BEST TAXI SERVICE AdamCab 256 Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road, Edgartown. 1-800-281-4462. RUNNER-UP Mario's Taxi 3 James Way, West Tisbury. 508-693-8399. BEST T-SHIRT tie The Black Dog 11 Water Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-696-8182. 37 Circuit Avenue, Oak Bluffs. 508-696-9826. Lower Main Street, Edgartown. 508-627-3360. Menemsha Blues 2 Basin Road, Menemsha. 508-645-3800. 36 Water Street, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-9599. BEST VIDEO STORE Island Entertainment 395 State Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-7441. RUNNER-UP Hollywood Video 244 Edgartown–Vineyard Haven Road, Edgartown. 508-627-3533. (Originally published in the July 2006 edition of Martha's Vineyard Magazine)
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