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 here to stay. And
SteveF ChilmarkChange is here to stay. And there’s always a swing. All these comments about the good Old Days. Granted there were AA batteries and okay (just) coffee, but also piles of plastic crap from China. Let’s not get too teary about hoola hoops and junk toys.
With constructive criticism we can hope the new management will find balance.
This article solidifies your
Karen Chilmark/ConnecticutThis article solidifies your story on 8/1 of the Vineyard transition from shabby to chic.
Alley’s is gone. The only thing left is the shell of the building.
The musty, welcome home, smell is gone. Instead, the smell of some cleaning solution. The helpful, smiley staff is gone. Instead surly staff pointing vaguely to a wall in the back of the store. The rummaging is gone (although barrels of obscenely priced junk is readily available. You can’t get By The Sea Salt anymore. Instead, a tall glass container that looks like it was designed on Madison Avenue. Only $40. For salt.
All this was experienced even before the start of the season.
7A coffee is better, sitting on their benches is the new place to be seen.
I’ll go to UpIsland Cronigs and Shirley’s and save myself the sadness and $35 when I need sea salt.
Awful just plain awful !!!
Michelle West tisburyAwful just plain awful !!!
Thank you old Alleys, once I
kate Zelenka KatamaThank you old Alleys, once I overfilled my radiator and you had a plastic contraption that sucked out the excess. You were always there for me in pinch. We miss you.
Has no one accepted the
skip OBHas no one accepted the rebranding of Vineyard Preservation Trust to Vineyard Trust
Thanks for writing this
Rose West TisburyThanks for writing this article—glad to see it put in words. I find the new Alley’s completely sterile and lacking love. The staff is nice— but they seem to have less idea where items are to be found than the wonderful former staff in the former chaotic aisles!! It always brought me such joy to walk inside— whether looking for pasta or pesto or paper towels— and now I’m just consistently disappointed. They’d do well to find a happy medium of organized minimalism and charming mess!
Thank you for starting this
Rachel West TisburyThank you for starting this conversation. I miss the old alleys more then I miss the old old alleys. I miss The cat and the popsicles and our old mailbox too (which my aunt still sends us mail too!) but I miss Rhonda’s Alley’s. Yes there were times when it was so cluttered that it was impassable but on a rainy day I could wander around with a cup of coffee and just get lost in the aisles. When I had my hardware store in N. Tisbury I had styled after the old old alleys and the old Edgartown Hardware, two favorite locations of mine, and what happens is you begin to accumulate things that remain on the shelves year after year as your inventory and demand generates more inventory. Once you purge it it is very difficult to rebuild. Change has happened and unfortunately it will take time to rebuild. Yesterday I popped in (reluctantly) to grab some Planters peanuts and there were none. Just a lot of Gluten-free stuff. So I went to Up Island Cronigs instead. Alley’s has lost me as a customer and I live here, year round, it’s gonna be a long winter for the Preservation Trust. If the Trust happens to be reading this can you please fix something that is broken? The parking lot needs attention pot holes, maybe repaint the lines and arrows. Someone is going to get hurt.
It’s heartbreaking AND
Susan ChilmarkIt’s heartbreaking AND frustrating! Beyond the loss of a wonderfully and almost magically well-stocked store with character and heart, to have turned the indispensable back farm stand into a place for pool toys was a slap in the face for anyone who lives up-island and now has to go down island to get a decent apple or avocado. It’s gross. The new produce area has almost nothing and what little produce is offered is rotting. This summer I’ve been to Alley’s several times for what they once carried (creme fraiche, bleach, a chain for my hammock, dill, corn, a peach, nice bread, a cold seltzer) and each time walked away empty-handed. The new Alley’s is practically useless! You broke our collective hearts! Bring the old Alley’s back!
Let’s just keep in mind that
Cindy OBLet’s just keep in mind that these choices were made by people, and that real people are behind these renovations, so be kind. Imagine reading the same comment over and over again about how much someone hates a choice you made. This commentary, which was well written, got that point across. The comments with hurtful comments that bring nothing new to the table are not necessary. To be on the receiving end must feel like you are being kicked while you’re down.
It’s really disheartening that people have to put others down to express their desires. Nobody changed it to take away your childhood.
These renovations took over a year, and they blogged about it on Facebook. I don’t recall all of these commenters commenting their opinion there.
There’s always something to complain about, I get it. But maybe think twice before hitting send, and keep kindness at the forefront.
How about the people who
AnnHow about the people who worked at Alley’s for years who are now out of a job? Where’s the kindness for them? They were discarded to make room for the new Alley’s.
I couldn't agree more
Gabrielle West TisburyI couldn't agree more
At least John Alley still
Anne H W Tisbury/Boston areaAt least John Alley still sorts the mail into the old mailboxes and collects local gossip (I mean news) for his column. But the store itself--what a bore. No discovery, too little clutter, a dull front porch. The ice cream case was my destination for decades after a beach trip: while it's still there it's not as much fun. The best thing about the change--it feels cleaner and the lines move swiftly and I like the counter along the front. But character? None.
Alley’s used to be a
Ron Dagostino West TisburyAlley’s used to be a destination for my son (now age 7) and I. “Let’s go to Alley’s!” we would often say. And we would come home with a puzzle, or marbles, or a sticker book. I would often get a cup of coffee. We would spend up to an hour in there, it was so interesting just to wander around, looking at all the stuff, We noticed things changing last fall, and we don’t stop in anymore. It’s lost something, and there’s no more fun in it for us. I’m not going to judge it, but it does feel sad.
I second the writer's
Jane Norton ChilmarkI second the writer's sentiments along with many of the commenters. I have walked into Alley's five or six times since the reopening and have bought one item precisely one time. The Farm Stand had wonderful produce - some was expensive, like the Goldbud peaches, but there was always lots of locally grown produce and many items were cheaper than Cronig's (even with the island discount). This weekend the price for a mango - one mango - five bucks. The soul is gone, the character is gone, and so is my interest in shopping there. There is more to preservation than keeping buildings standing.
I’ve been vacationing on the
Carol RyanI’ve been vacationing on the Vineyard for decades. My trip always revolved around the special places which hold memories.. Black Dog everywhere, and cooking stores, Amongst the Flowers, fudge , Morning Glory, blue berry pancakes at the airport, staring off the cliffs at Aquinah, The Newes...Mememsha, the hardware stores, book stores....I walk through their doors and memories flood back.
Ally’s, this year’s trip to Ally’s made me sad. No coffee, where are the newspapers, the games, funky socks, toys and funny coasters. Gone. Replaced with non-GMO egg plant. Sorry but you’ve lost this shopper/browser forever.
Newspapers are still there
Vineyarder Vineyard HavenNewspapers & coffee are still there open your eyes.
The heart and soul of the
Gabrielle West TisburyThe heart and soul of the place is gone, a community meeting place gone. A place where you always felt welcomed ruined and replaced with the veneered of perfection reminicint of a stepford wives' production...the lack of imagination only adds insult to injury. I guess we aren't the community you're hoping to preserve...
Heartbroken.
DeborahHeartbroken.
As far as the new Alleys is
TAD ChappyAs far as the new Alleys is concerned, less is less. Poor decision making (lack of retail experience) by MV Preservation Trust. Perhaps it's not too late to work on getting it right by next summer.
Alleys used to many times,
Carolyn P Asheville, NCAlleys used to many times, save you a trip down island. I miss much of the old Vineyard, & so after 30 yrs, left. I found a GREAT hardware store here, Flecher lawn & garden hardware. It is like a cross of Hancock Hardware & Old SBS(old wooden floors), & masonry tossed in too. You name it, they seem to have it. I go there A LOT!
The feeling is gone. Alley's
Jill Goodman ChilmarkThe feeling is gone. Alley's is now just another store to run into and get a paper and milk. No more charm.
I often wonder about the
KCowley Oak BluffsI often wonder about the Alley’s customers who bought SO many of our Enchanted Chocolates bars - often well over 100 a week in the season! Please know we were very grateful for your loyal support and are sorry that that they are no longer offered at Alley’s. A selection of our panned chocolates can still be found up front behind the counter. I know it’s a ways down the road but the bars can Be purchased at Cronig’s, Le Roux and Morning Glory Farm. We don’t know your faces and names but you are important to us and we thank you for your many years of patronage.
Yes, thank you for putting my
Susan Chilmark and ChicagoYes, thank you for putting my feelings into words. My heart sank when I walked in. ❤️
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