They see a lot more of me at the Apothecary these days. It’s because of Otis Spunkmeyer.
They see a lot more of me at the Apothecary these days. I told them they are my go-to place for pills, and now for newspapers. “It’s because of Otis Spunkmeyer,” I said. “They kicked him out of Alley’s.”
The druggist knew who I meant. The guy with the plastic-wrapped, overly sweet sticky buns. That’s Otis.
For those who don’t know, Otis Spunkmeyer began making baked goods in Oakland, Calif., in 1977. Back then, Twinkies, Yodels and chemical-laced sweets still stocked grocery store shelves. And Otis found a home in Alley’s, way in the back by the storeroom near the coffee condiments. For as long as I can remember, they stocked Otis among other countless obscure goodies procured from eccentric vendors in far-flung corners.
Yes, the place was a mess — the aisles barely navigable while the line stretched past the ice cream freezer. (Are you going to open that second register soon?) And the porch: beach balls, surfboards, fold-up chairs. It was so full of clutter that they’d start packing up way before closing time.
Games are always fun and Alley’s had a ton. Not just the standard Clue, Risk and Monopoly, but others I’d never heard of. Each year I would look for a reissued version of Go to the Head of the Class with Sis and Mom and Junior. (So many questions about 1960 TV shows and Westerns that sometimes we’d get stuck in first grade.)
I miss Otis because he was iconic. The old Alley’s was iconic. Filled to the brim with all that’s quirky and goofy plus the basics in food, household supplies, hardware and more. The Alley’s I liked was more of an evolution, an old-time store whose personality and character came from the people who ran it and worked there.
The new Alley’s is clean, organized, branded — the creation of a conscious plan, not an amalgamation of stuff that lets you wander down curiosity lane, drawn in by a knickknack you might never use. How many little kids have tugged at their Mom and said, “but I really need it” after spotting a whoopee cushion or a set of six paste-on mustaches?
I miss Rhonda. I miss Benny and the kids who worked behind the counter. I miss the chaos, imperfections, and thrill of discovery, the reassurance that Alley’s still hadn’t buckled under the pressure of change.
The new Alley’s is too precious, too Laura Ashley and Martha Stewart, too Black Dog branding. Do we really need another display as if laid out by highly paid ad execs on a commercial shoot?
So now I go to the Apothecary and get my papers there. Alley’s won’t miss me. Surely I am in a minority here that misses Otis, let alone remembers him.
But for a moment there, the druggist and I toasted Otis — and for that I am grateful.
John Rosenmiller lives in New York city and West Tisbury.
Comments
Change is the only thing
Ronnie Wood Up IslandChange is the only thing permanent in life. Win some lose some.
I couldn’t have said it
Maureen Fischer West TisburyI couldn’t have said it better myself! The magic of Alleys is gone. We loved the clutter, the toys, the trinkets, the porch, ( and the porch sitters!). The disappearance of Alleys is an in your face indicator of what the island is becoming. I can remember seeing kids walking down South Road on a hot summer day, determined to get to that magic destination, excited for the adventure they knew would await them. Please bring that feeling back. ( by the way Provincetown still has it)
Another Vineyard treasure is
Ginny Bradley Durham,NCAnother Vineyard treasure is gone....one could spend hours looking for a unique gift, a special candy only available there, a childhood toy to share with a grandchild....I am grateful for the memories of times spent in Alleys and will surely make a point to stop in come fall.
Do a little research. I
VH Villager Vineyard HavenDo a little research. I believe the Preservation Trust had something to do with the clean up. That building is owned by them. Not Ally’s. It had to be done to bring it up to safety code. Sorry you couldn’t deal with change and decided to take your business elsewhere. That in and of itself is change too. Don’t hold such a childish grudge. Come back and give us your business.
What does the fully set table
Esther Brandon ChilmarkWhat does the fully set table in the back have to do with safety? Carrying AA batteries is more important than showing folks how they can have a tablecloth with matching napkins that matches their coffee cups. And now we must drive down island to have a house key made? Yeesh!
Don't you see, we don't want
Island Builder EdgartownDon't you see, we don't want to give you our business, you lost it when you traded in your conscience to become another over-priced, black dog wanna be, magnet for tourists from New Jersey. The soul is no longer there, its been whitewashed to appeal to off-islanders here for the summer. Just like what happened to Sophia's in Edgartown, you see how all their business left, its a ghost town if you go in to what it is now. True, Alley's had too much junk but at least it had a heart.
Hey now - we have a 3d
Tony Secaucus, NJHey now - we have a 3d generation hardware store in my town in NJ. The Black Dog and fancy napkins wouldn't last a week. ;-)
Over priced, precious, and
Westisbury IneyRdOver priced, precious, and lost its soul!
Well said.
Gabrielle West TisburyWell said.
Clearly, living in VH, you
Joanne ChilmarkClearly, living in VH, you are not an Alley's regular. Last year the aisles were cleaned up. The change this year is EVERYTHING ELSE!! My first shocking experience was the coffee -- I always had a refill card and got coffee twice a day -- now I go to 7A. Alleys coffee is undrinkable. I could list a hundred other heartbreaking changes, but the article did a good job of spelling it out.
Not sure why you think I live
John Rosenmiller West Tisbury, MANot sure why you think I live in VH, or Chilmark for that matter. It seems you agree with my point except for the timeline. If so, my bad. It happens with age. To me, there is a difference between what happened with the Chllmark Store and Alley's. The change at Chilmark, in my view, was more organic and in response to the reality of a store that had become pretty empty. By opening up the pizza, etc. they provided something that Up Islanders wanted while maintaining a decent dose of the rest. In comparison, Alley's was thriving. As I understand, the PT subsidizes Alley's and economic loss is part and parcel with keeping Alley's as the icon it is. Recent changes seem more driven by design than necessity. Many have their memories of "the Old Alley's." Some go back further than my 1980s introduction. But I do believe there is a tipping point when the essence of something changes. To me, this threshold was crossed recently. Maybe this year was the nail in the coffin. But again, that too is subjective. We all have our views.
Alleys the store, the feel
Westisbury VineyardAlleys the store, the feel and the history has been wrecked for no valid reason, we all know that, and it is sickening!
Childish grudge?
PT EdgartownChildish grudge?
Maximizing a retail store's bottom line is a business that can be taught. Making a variety store a joyful experience is an art. Alley's Disney vibe can be fixed adhering to codes. The bottom line effect relative to the overall budget would be trivial. Increased contributions to the Trust would likely more than make up the difference.
Progress isn't always good.
Maureen Johan WellesleyProgress isn't always good. You go to MV to get away from commercial places and chain stores to remember the past, kick, back and relax. Sorry no longer interested in going to the new place.
Your comments are rude.
Anne Wilmington, NCYour comments are rude.
I was unpleasantly surprised when I visited Ally's recently. I loved it the way it was. So much more character. It was great fun poking around in there, examining all the doodads, toys, thingamajiggies.sigh.
I was there yesterday for
Susan Stone North TisburyI was there yesterday for only the second time this summer. The change although inevitable is depressing. Alleys was always a hodgepodge of everything I needed to buy. This year there were no dog leashes, and the quirky toys and games missing. Your article is exactly the way I felt,thank you for putting it into words. There is so little left that has not been changed. Thank goodness for Otis, The Wharf, Rainy Day and Sun Dog!!
My goodness. In my youth the
Salt EdgartownMy goodness. In my youth the Wharf was the Cafe, Rainy Day was the post office and Sundog was Avery’s. You must have washed ashore not too long ago!
And 7a was a laundromat and
Linda W.T.And 7a was a laundromat and car wash.
Twice over the period of a
David Stanwood West TisburyTwice over the period of a month I've needed AA batteries and twice I've been told they do not have them at Alley's Store. What is the MV Trust preserving by maintaining this property - Just a building? On their website mvpreservation.org it states: "Just as in years past, Alley’s General Store remains an emporium of the essentials". AA Batteries are basic essentials in this day and age. I support the MV Trust. The challenge is to preserve more than just buildings.
No aspirin!
Linda Donovan West TisburyNo aspirin!
No different than the change
Highlander Oak BluffsNo different than the change at Backdoor Donuts. I feel it actually worked for Alley's, whereas it did not for BD. I miss the old BD and people.
FINALLY we get this
vicki chilmarkFINALLY we get this discussion going. Alleys was an iconic and wonderful mess. It was quirky and tacky and real!!! Best coffee on the island, now the worst. Best last minute hardware store, now the worst. (they did not even have fly swatters or rubber hose washers -- basic stuff!!) Rhonda and Spencer and all the young ones were so fun to greet every day!! All the basic grocery items you could ever need for the last minute birthday cake or barbecue. Now the worst!!!
The new Alleys has no soul, no heart, and no good, useful or fun STUFF!! It is a tourist trap pure and simple. Nothing you want or need. But if you need 40 stupid floats that no one could ever actually use at the beach, good to go. If you want a selection of 80 different ugly coffee cups, good to go.
Do not get me started on the "produce." Disgusting. Where is the Morning Glory daily delivery of local corn!!!?? Oh, I guess I will have to drive to Morning Glory.
The kids behind the counter are still great, but the management is sullen, angry and unhelpful. They do not get it.
The only good thing about the "new and improved Alleys" is that it is always EMPTY!! Walk right up to the cash register because no one is ever in the store.
My only hope is that business is so down that they will have no choice but to bring what we loved about the place back. please.
It isn’t the same, but the
Crabby VHIt isn’t the same, but the best part was showing your children and grandchildren something old-fashion! We are all in the fast lane, and Alleys Store is a place to relax and go back in time. It was a treat to take the kids inside. The candy by the # is highly priced and just isn’t the same as filling the brown bag.
Back Door has sold me their
Dogmaman Oak BluffsBack Door has sold me their last doughnut. Each variety a different price? What the? I don't care for the change, the remodel and elimination of "day old".
Guess I've had my last chocolate croissant as well.
My diet thanks you Back Door
There has to be a happy
John ChilmarkThere has to be a happy median. Alleys was once THE place to find whatever one needed, especially in small hardware items. “Alleys...the dealer in most everything.” If you couldn’t find it at Alleys, you probably didn’t need it.The addition of the coffee area and Otis’ pastries was a real plus. But then it all began to decline as more and more cheap, gaudy “stuff” was added. Perhaps kids did love it but shopping at Alleys lost its allure for us; we rarely found what we were looking for, unless it was the N.Y Times or the Vineyard Gazette...and a really good cup of coffee. So we voted with our feet and went elsewhere.
No AA batteries? Surely they can do better than that in providing the basics!
I miss the days when Alley's
Larry King Duxbury, MAI miss the days when Alley's store toted: "dealers in almost everything." Beside being the town hangout, Alley's was also the post office and a true general store where I could buy a hammer, landscaping supplies or a can of soup. I miss seeing John, Jim and Phyllis and the occasional West Tisbury kid who would help out.
This is what in a larger
Shane West TisburyThis is what in a larger sense is gentrification. It seems we are slowly loosing the soul of the island in many ways, we are loosing the real culture to make way for another store selling overpriced gourmet goods. It happened with the Hot Tin Roof, it happened with downtown Edgartown in general. The Preservation Trust needs a reckoning, they basically kicked out the shipyard store in Edgartown which served a practical purpose for boaters on the harbor, they ripped out the soul of Alleys. There's more than the facade to preserve.
The day they changed the
Josephine daSousa Oak BluffsThe day they changed the coffee from the beautiful fair trade single estate grown hand crafted stuff they’d had for over a decade to the coffee service crappy stuff that I’m told is the Preservation Trusts executive director’s “favorite,” they lost me. The Preservation Trust is more interested in projecting an image to satisfy its uber wealthy trustees and high end feel good donors than it is in “preserving” the wonderful history of that beautiful and interesting eclectic mix that made that “general store” a real creature we have all grown to love as “Alleys!” The former management team knew what it took to keep the place meaningful! Doesn’t the executive director have better things to do than to micro-manage what was not broken... save for a few floorboards and some siding! I have a solution! Put it back! I urge EVERYONE to boycott that place until the executive director confessed her obvious error and restores our Alleys! Put it back ! Put it back ! Put it back!
Agree. Miss the old Alleys
Chappy bound ChappyAgree. Miss the old Alleys and what about Katama General Store same feeling as the “new and improved” Alleys. And I do miss the feeling of Bunch of Grapes bookstore when it was where the Vineyard Vines is. Don’t make these special places cookie cutter.
It all depends on which “old
T Parton Off islamdIt all depends on which “old Alley’s” you remember
Oh, so true!!!
Salt EdgartownOh, so true!!!
Alley’s has had different
Sarah Doyle ChilmarkAlley’s has had different owners, many managers, and many faithful shoppers. It has been a lifeline for up islanders. I am grateful to the Preservation Trust for saving it. It is the heart of WT. In my lifetime, I remember Sundae’s on Wednesday’s, hot soup on the counter, years of having everything I ever forgot to buy and desperately needed! I remember friendly help and excited children exploring the store excitedly trying to decide what toy they would choose from the array of choices. I remember coffee in the morning and smiling year round locals and summer residents standing in line happily waiting their turn to checkout. I remember a busy porch with lively conversations and items that drew you inside. Alley’s.....summer 2019.....no batteries, no paper cups, no paper tablecloths, no corn, no pleasantries when you cannot find something and need to ask a question. I NEVER write a negative review, but I am so disappointed. I tried to embrace the change. The management has obviously put in lots of time and effort, but I have officially given up. I am hoping that the economic impact they must be feeling, since the place is empty every time I try to shop there, will make the Trust take a second look at their new business model. I am hoping they can find a way to bring back some of what made Alley’s magical for so many years.
Well, Tina, the Alley’s Store
Nancy Dole WTisburyWell, Tina, the Alley’s Store I remember best was yours. Everything that a general store should have in terms of stuff you find yourself needing, and hot fudge sundae night was better than all the cheap toys and gimmicks in the world. Kids would push aside the mouse traps and nestle into a spot on the shelves and enjoy a hot fudge sundae once a week ... because in the winter where else but at Alley’s could you find one upisland... or anywhere. My kids will never forget.
I believe the old Katama
EiB Vineyard HavenI believe the old Katama General Store was physically falling apart and the owners were finally given the go ahead to rebuild it. It's beautiful! Same food, same people ..... big beautiful porch to hang out on and have your food and beverages, rain or shine. Apples and oranges, Chappy bound, comparing Alley's and KGS.
So glad this article has
Paulie ChilmarkSo glad this article has voiced what everyone I know has felt for months.
Alley’s is gone and the Preservation Trust might as well rename their god awful Starbucks meets Ye Olde Country store something else.
Alley's is everybody's
robert skydell granada, nicaraguaAlley's is everybody's personal benchmark and Island snapshot in time. For me it was when the Parton's owned it and later Howie U. Remember the flattened paint cans that patched holes in the floor or Lambert, the enormous cat that used to chew a hole in a bag of cat food and eat 'till he passed out with his head still in the bag? I still savor the bare fluorescent lighting and the holes worn through the countertop linoleum. The place was authentic, the real deal. After the renovation it all changed. The soul of the place seemed to end up in the dumpster with all the debris. The new and improved Alley's may have been quite popular with the summer throng and all the piles of plastic toys and heaps of stuff that would give comfort to a hoarder, but not for me. I could barely bring myself to cross the threshold. The snapshot in time that Alley's represents for me is the time before conversations about traffic and parking became the major summer themes and when the pace of summer life was more in sync with what it always had been. Take it for what it is; Alley's is just a reflection of the Island itself and boy has it changed.
On every trip to Alleys, no
RMC West TisburyOn every trip to Alleys, no matter what season, I was always amazed they knew what I loved and often needed, and I found that Uncanny. I remember squealing over a reproduction Jack in the Box for my first grandchild. All the wonderful toys, tiaras,
Trains, cool socks and hats at my fingertips. A wind-up hopping nun for a priest friend. All of these creative and exciting choices
Might have been hunted for online, or next off-island trip, but they had everything ! To have my own kids,
As well as their kids delight in the inventory, dog stuff, tool stuff, eatables, magnets with the best one liners. My heart was full,
And as I whisper, “bring it back” I know someone will, someday.
Wow, everyone has a strong
Allan MVWow, everyone has a strong opinion. I am thankful the Trust spared it from becoming a strip mall years ago. It seems unnecessary to print a piece about this. If the public stops shopping there, the managers will probably begin to stock what sells. I, for one avoided it in years past because it was so cluttered with tchotchkes I felt it was run by a hoarder. If all could just chill, the law of supply and demand will even things out. I understand the change is unpopular and abrupt but let’s let the process work itself out. It must be August!
Red Herring alert. West
thomas hodgson wtRed Herring alert. West Tisbury town zoning regs have long since stood in the way of Alley's becoming a strip mall.
I've been visiting the island
Leslie Scanlan Maine, Martha's Vineyard, CharlestonI've been visiting the island for over 30 years and this is the change that has impacted our family psyche the most. For some reason, the Katama store did this and lost all its appeal and now this seems like the last vestige of the once cozy Vineyard. If the Preservation Trust is to blame for this, shame on them. They could have avoided theft with more tech and not lost their soul. Pathetic of the organization not to care about the wonder of the Old Alley's. Very sad. They would have 'preserved' what preservation is about and not disintegrated the essence of the best parts of West Tisbury. Not only is my business gone but my respect as well. Charleston has yielded to the day tripper mentality. Martha's Vineyard has done so. Years ago I heard a conservation guru say at a Vineyard gathering that the way to save Martha's Vineyard was to ban the sale of T-shirts and limit vehicles to only the locals. Maybe its time to take a second look at some restrictions to what preservation really means. Perhaps a charlotte where the stakeholders get to assist in the determination of what happens next. Change can be great when everyone is included. You could never convince me that this was at the case with Alley's.
i sent this to the trust
Peter West Tisburyi sent this to the trust
i am appalled by what you have done to Alley's store.
Your group has turned it into a vacuous vapid, boring candy store.
WHAT ON EARTH; give up all the charming interesting items and have a full table of candy.
its as if the Snopes from Falkner's trilogy have taken over.
Walmart (yuck) could do better.
SHAME ON YOU
i donated a dollar
Hahahahaha! The “old” Alley’s
Salt EdgartownHahahahaha! The “old” Alley’s you loved was a later incarnation of the store I loved as a kid. A store from before Otis started to bake. I don’t like the new store either but the version you loved was not my fave. A store we’re I saw my first ever devil dog. I thought it was the only place on earth that had them. A store where a big Maine Coon cat padded around the aisles and found sunny spots to sleep. Everything changes. I have a list of other things I’d like to have put back the way I remember them too.
So true. The old old Alley’s
unbusted67 Islesboro, MESo true. The old old Alley’s before Spencer ran the joint was the real one. I remember feeling like the middle Alley’s was completely impersonal and a caricature of what a country store ought to be like. There used to be a whole wing of Alley’s that was dedicated to just hardware. Anyone remember Sundays on Wednesdays? THOSE were the days. I’ll say what i’ve said for years. The Vineyard is gone. Lost to the gentrifiers and hoards if idiot tourists years ago.
I went into Alley’s on
Linda Calabrese Tolland CT and Oak Bluffs MAI went into Alley’s on occasion, likely when I came to Church or the Artisan’s Fair. I was always anxious to see what the excitement was all about. I could never figure out the appeal. I think it felt a bit like a members’ only place, like I didn’t “get” it or speak the language. I haven’t seen the new set up but I hope people will give it’s chance.
Alley's was a general store
Liz Vineyard HavenAlley's was a general store where I could stop in to buy an avacado, an ice coffee, a bag of flour and a phillips head screwdriver. If we can no longer do that, you cant call it a general store.
We vacation on the Vineyard
Cathy O'Connor Melrose MAWe vacation on the Vineyard every year for 3 weeks in June and a trip to Alley's was always on the docket. This year I did a double take when I drove up..were they closed? Where was all the stuff on the porch? Granted it was lovely inside but not what I wanted. I could have stayed in Edgartown and gotten the same vibe. Don't get me started on the Katama General Store either. Another fun quirky place turned into a snooty unfriendly spot. Let's hope the powers that be come to their senses.
I miss Lambert-the giant cat
Leslie Finnegan New JerseyI miss Lambert-the giant cat at Alleys-he used to take a bag of cat food off the bottom shelf and eat right out of the bag. I miss the old Bunch of Grapes also.
I live three minutes from
Robin Canha WEST TISBURYI live three minutes from Alleys. It's a shame that some people are attacking the author for expressing his opinion. He really didn't say anything overly controversial, just expressed how he felt about the changes. I think his sentiment was well stated. I, too, miss the old Alleys. It just isn't the same anymore and doesn't have the charm of the previous incarnation. I don't go in now, either, because it does not appeal to me. When I would go to Alleys in the past I felt like I was stepping back in time a little bit. I miss that feeling and it is perfectly okay to express this.
What a coincidence- I’ve
AlisonWhat a coincidence- I’ve moved to a small town in the hills on the border of western NC and SC and often compare my little friendly post office to Edgartown’s on N Water St. But just today told someone that the local IGA has the same size and relaxed feel of the A &P on Main St. Temps Fugits
We’ve been off-season
Lynda Sorenson Hudson ValleyWe’ve been off-season tourists for years, and Alley’s was a treat eagerly anticipated every year. We’ve spent countless fun hours in there poking around, having a laugh over lobster jockey shorts and candies from our childhood and refrigerator magnets. Pure silliness, but fun, and colorful, and always irresistible. We never left with empty hands. This spring we were incredibly disappointed by the change. In and out in less than five minutes, and the only laughs we had was over the $45 salt and pepper shakers. As if!
Sad to see the last of it.
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