Owners Molly and Eric Glasgow announced the decision to pause their business on Thursday, saying the farmstand can’t keep up with the rising cost of farming and cheesemaking.
The Grey Barn and Farm will be pausing its business at the end of the summer season. Owners Molly and Eric Glasgow announced the decision on Thursday, saying the business can’t keep up with the rising cost of farming and cheesemaking.
“Increased costs and changing market dynamics since the pandemic have made it clear to us that our current business model is no longer viable,” the Glasgows wrote in a letter to the community.
The popular Chilmark farmstand was founded by the Glasgows in 2009, having purchased what was then known as Rainbow Farm from David Douglas.
The operation began as a dairy farm, selling raw milk. Award-winning cheeses soon followed, and in 2019 a thriving bakery was introduced. Each summer sees long lines of hungry Vineyarders and visitors looking to purchase a variety of breads and pastries before they sell out.
Award-winning cheeses have been a big draw.
Award-winning cheeses have been a big draw.
Starting with three cows in 2009, the herd of Dutch Belted cows soon blossomed to 25, producing the milk for a variety of cheeses, including Prufrock and Eidolon, named for T.S. Eliot and Walt Whitman poems, respectively.
The farmstand remained open year-round, offering meat and produce in addition to its dairy and bread products.
“The costs of farming and cheese-making have risen dramatically over the past few years and raising prices again to our customers is simply untenable,” the Glasgows wrote.
Operations will continue through the summer, along with tours and tastings.
“We have looked out our kitchen windows at the pasture every morning, deep green with summer grass or covered in a deep bed of snow, nothing but silence across the expanse,” the couple wrote. “We love it here. It has been an unbelievable privilege that we are incredibly grateful for and we are so deeply appreciative of everyone who has supported us, especially all of the amazing employees we have had the opportunity to work side by side with over the years.”
Comments
Heartbreaking! Perhaps they
Chilmark ResidentHeartbreaking! Perhaps they could keep the bakery business open long term. I understand dairy farming must be incredibly challenging at the scale and quality at which they run it. The Grey Barn bakery products, however, have become an indispensable part of up-island culture and seems manageable enough as long as they can find workers? Hoping so!
I have enjoyed every visit to
Rick Vineyard HavenI have enjoyed every visit to the farm. The staff always is and was so nice. The open sky of the farm, and the upward looking blinks from the barn cats have been a pleasurable ritual on the way to buy the best bread that I have ever had on the island. Before I ate any of the boule, it was blessed with the sign of the cross, made with the tip of my serrated bread knife dragged across the crispy underside. The meat, cheese, and veggies never have disappointed. Those memories never will end, and we are thankful to all involved that have presented this pleasure to us. The sweet variety of first class pastries, some of which I only know because of the Grey Barn, have been a delight. My wish was always the freedom to have more, not less-I imagined a sandwich and a beer there some day…but this was 400 years in the making in nearby Vineyard Haven, so I understand the dilemma.
As neighbors we wish you will
Paul Adler ChilmarkAs neighbors we wish you will reconsider. You’re such a great asset to the area. Everytime we visited you seemed very busy? Is it regulations? What a loss.
I'm sure the closing has
Laurence EdgartownI'm sure the closing has nothing to do with the lessening of the amount of local foot traffic due to the vulgar outburst against Iggys. Just a coincidence I suppose?
It’s so sad to read an island
Jean West TisburyIt’s so sad to read an island staple will be closing down. Perhaps they should instead just raise their prices as I’m sure their patrons would rather spend a bit more for their products versus losing them as a valuable resource. In addition, our seasonal and summer clientele certainly have the money to pay a few extra dollars for each product as shopping at their beautiful barn is an island experience versus just a random store. There aren’t many of these destination places left on our island.
Some of the blame for this
Joshua ChilmarkSome of the blame for this can be laid at the feet of the Chilmark select board who handicaps our farms from hosting weddings and events. Weddings and events would provide a significant additional income stream to farms like The Grey Barn that would help them increase revenue, pay good wages and benefits, and keep prices low. We should be looking for ways to increase our farmer's revenue, not limit it. The couple of days of increased traffic up island seem like a fine trade off to keep wonderful farms like The Grey Barn operating.
This is such a special,
Lynn Oak BluffsThis is such a special, special place. I think allowing for weddings and events would be such a great solution. What can we do as residents to help?
Gutted to hear this news. (I
Patrick Vineyard HavenGutted to hear this news. (I am actually wearing a Grey Barn shirt as I write this! :) Perhaps, as Joshua suggests, the Chilmark select board would consider giving GB special permission to host weddings and events in order to bring in additional income. Or maybe an anonymous donor can sweep in?? To have the farm close is a really sad outcome for the whole island; it's a special, special place. Every season I look forward to waiting in line early in the mornings for bread and pastries.
Everyone thinks “weddings and
Dana Nunes MVEveryone thinks “weddings and events” are a great idea. Until it’s near them. Try living near a wedding venue on a summer night. If you don’t mind hearing someone else’s party, it’s fine-and some are ok with that. Others value their peace and quiet, but instead get amplified music until 9:30PM, because some private entity wants the money.
But that can be managed.
Lynn Oak BluffsBut that can be managed. Limit the number of guests and time of day. I’ve seen it work with a venue in New Mexico with great success.
So sad to hear that. One of
MSSo sad to hear that. One of our our favorite spots.
Did Iggys put them out of
Harold Jeffers WTDid Iggys put them out of business? Or are they just deciding to move on from mv? I'm so sorry to read this.
This is most unfortunate.
AM 02539This is most unfortunate. While very few escape the typical life cycle of business, it is impactful and disappointing when you see a business shutter that should otherwise be in its prime. Not sure where blame is to be put, but this is sad news.
How far down the road is
Rural neighborHow far down the road is Beetlebung's new farmstand? I wonder if operations will expand there accordingly
Omg, just tried to go, as our
Nancy Natow-Cassidy Beverly ashoresxINOmg, just tried to go, as our yearly pilgrimage, wanted to introduce new people to it, and discovered their closure. SO SO Sad. Heartbroken for the owners (and us). They created something amazing and spectacular. Hopeful some way to move forward can be found. Even if not weddings or events, as a B&B with farming and cheese making workshops or?? It’s spectacular and a great loss
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