[South Shore Breaker, 19-Apr-2016] What started as an idea two years ago for two Queens County entrepreneurs has become a vibrant business venture that’s attracting attention from across Nova Scotia and beyond.
As The Port Grocer celebrated its second anniversary on April 5, owners Debra Melanson and Annabelle Singleton were reveling in the success they’ve achieved in such a short time. That success has been confirmed by the accolades they’ve collected since they opened for business.
In 2015, The Port Grocer won the Best New Business Award from the Lunenburg-Queens Business Excellence Awards and earlier this year, they were the recipients of the Hospitality Award through the same program.
For the owners, Debbie and Annabelle, the recognition is just the icing on the cake because when they came up with the idea for the business, they never dreamed it would take off as it has.
“We were looking to create a community hub and place where people could not only come for their grocery needs, but also to hang out and meet with other people from the community,” Annabelle says. “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response and it quickly became a location where people felt comfortable and where they wanted to be. The Port Grocer has become more than we ever imagined it would be.”
Beyond this, she adds, it has also become a destination for people outside of Port Medway and the Region of Queens.
Referring to the business’s mission statement, she explains their idea was to provide year-round access to locally produced food, products and resources for Queens and Lunenburg County residents and visitors.
The business is a real partnership between the two women, she explains.
With more than 23 years of restaurant cooking and kitchen experience, the business website says, Debbie has turned her passion for cooking and baking into The Port Grocer’s vision of great quality food.
“As business partner, kitchen manager, head cook and baker, Deb prepares all her recipes from scratch to be enjoyed in the Café, as prepared meals fresh and frozen for take home, the ‘lunch box’ delivery service, as well as a variety of baked goods including gluten free options and sweet breads,” the site says. “Deb has a loyal following of foodies who just can’t seem to get enough of her flavourful, colourful food combinations.”
As for Annabelle, the website says, her passions include rural community development, environmental protection and healthy food. Her background as an environmental consultant over the last 12 years has helped to enhance her appreciation for rural living and the value that entrepreneurial spirit brings to healthy, economically sustainable communities.
“At The Port Grocer, Annabelle is Business Partner and ‘Front of House’ Manager, responsible for day-to-day ordering and operations of the Café and Grocer, community and musical events coordinator, business research, food prep and on-going menu development and gardening.”
While The Port Grocer may only be two years old, the property located in the center of Port Medway has operated as a store since the late 1920s and that’s one of the things that attracted them to the location.
Annabelle explains The Port Grocer continues to act as a small, rural grocer, offering the usual conveniences such as eggs, meat and dairy products, dry and canned goods, sweets, snacks and beverages as well as lotto, tobacco, Canada Post and the fishing supply catalogue products.
As well, she adds, they are constantly evolving and revamping the existing services as well as the addition of new and exciting products and services.
In addition to offering a selection of cheeses and cold cut meats prepared by a Nova Scotia producers such as Webber Foods in Greenfield, the deli is stocked daily with a variety of freshly made salads and main course items. Deliciously displayed, deli items will be available both for in-house consumption in the cafe or through the grocery store for take-home. Conveniently packaged items such as soup, chili, shepherd’s and chicken-pot pie and lasagna will also be frozen and available for take home.
“Our fast-casual dining experience may not offer full table service, but instead incorporates menu boards and counter service with high quality food and a comfortable atmosphere,” the website says. “Though the concept is still relatively new to Canada, it is growing as a dining option positioned between fast food and casual dining. The Cafe’s menu focuses on freshly prepared deli counter items including made to order sandwiches, salads and mains as well as soups, fair-trade coffee and teas, plus Deb’s fresh baked goods.”
One of the more successful elements of the business, Annabelle points out, is their pub night.
“Pub night at The Port Grocer in Port Medway is where it’s at on Friday nights to start your weekend off right,” the website says. “It’s where friends, and soon to be friends who haven’t yet met, gather to share Deb’s great food, a variety of delightful drinks including local wines and craft beer, and an engaging and ever changing variety of live music.”
Referring to the past two years, Annabelle says she and Deb have been overwhelmed with the support they have received and are now looking to the future as they expand and grow the business. That includes an addition to the building that will allow them to double their current 34 seating capacity.
“We believe The Port Grocer has really made a difference in the community and we are looking to the future with great excitement,” she says.
As their mission statement says: “The Port Grocer, Café & Art Space (aka The Port Grocer) will continuously strive to create an open and welcoming community hub; where young and old can come together to eat, learn, share and grow.”