We have placed a staggering amount of product on shelves - and we are just dying for a bit more room. From cooler and freezer space to dry goods, things are feeling like a tight fit lately! And, though I say this with a teeny bit of trepeidation, we have a number of events planned for the coming months, and we'd love a bit of space set aside from stacks of juices and the traffic of a busy store. So stay tuned - there are many plans afoot!
We have a new Albert's Organics sales rep, Josh, who's learning the ropes, and learning about places like Medusa. With that preparation, keep us in mind if you need lettuce, as he sent us lovely bags of romaine, as well as iceberg this week. We also have beautiful, and seasonal kale left in stock, as well as portabella mushrooms, and broccoli. Lots of Indian Ladder apples, as well as more cider coming in this week, as soon as I can get us down to Indian Ladder. There are also delicious Buckwheat Soba noodles in, as well as Hunan dumplings, from Macrovegetarian. Tofu coming in this Friday, and, hopefully, Rob Sweeney, a lcoally famous vegetarian chef, will be getting us some of his handmade falafel.
On the deli, we have been doing SOUP like crazy! We have officially designated Fridays as gluten-free soup day at the Store, and for all of you that do eat gluten, I thrown in a chunk of artisan bread to dunk. We've got more chowders and chil coming up this week. Oh, and there are a few more specialty sandwiches coming up, too - we're adding a Medusa PB&J, on granola bread - and officially giving the Italian mix it's rightful place in the menu. And, in case you haven't noticed, we've been giving our ancient deli cooler a bit of tenderloving care: late last week we installed tiles in the front, to better display amazing Boar's Head, and our line of organic cheddars AND
Next, I love UNFI. Love them, love them. I've been trying to get as many good, new products as we can afford, including a wild variety of soups, from Wolfgang Puck and from Pacific Natural. I just got 2 cases of Angie's Kettle Corn in as well - and WOW, this stuff is delicious - and cheap, thanks to great sale prices! We've also got a bunch of fresh juices in, from Harney and Sons teas, as well as a new smoothie beverage from Bothouse Farms. Morning Fog is keeping us stocked with fresh eggs, and Mike Duncan, up across from Sayre Road, has promised us weekly eggs, too. We also now have a few different cough medicines and herbal cold remedies, as well as some vitamins. We'd like to do more of that, as soon as the space issue gets worked out a bit more.
In the freezer, we're trying out some Blue Horizon breaded clams and fish sticks. I finally found some salmon fillets we can freeze, too; they should be in next week. (Thanks to that lovely lady who was in looking for them!) We've got cases of gluten-free bread from Udi's as well as gluten free chocolate muffins and cinnamon rolls. I also reordered several cases of the Food For Life breads, which are a delightfully hearty, full grain bread. There's a lot of local meat cuts from Morning Fog, and Freebird chicken as well. If anyone talks to Cheryl Baitholts, I'd really like to take turkey orders for her. And if she can't, Helderberg Market might be able to - I just left a message on the Helderberg Market facebook board.
Speaking of the holidays... The lovely Town Clerk in Berne is an amazing pie baker! She's agreed to take holiday pre-orders for pie - apple, pumpkin, blueberry and pecan. We're also making apple pies - we sold 4 this weekend alone. And our underground, on-the-sly bread business is taking off - I'd be willing to take some weekly preorders, if you have a hankering for a particular variety. Catering, too, is picking up: we were able to provide lunches to the Huyck Preserve several times this month, and are incredibly grateful for the opportunity!
Next to last note - we hit two papers this past week! Saturdays at the Store was included in the most recent editions of the Altamont Enterprise, and the Greenville Pioneer. Thanks so much to Melissa and Andrea - we appreciate it! And thanks, too, to sweet Dan, who's joined our staff of well, none. He has an incredible eye for design, and has done wonders for the state of our coolers and freezers. It isn't always easy working here, with small children underfoot and barely competent storekeepers, but he's proven to be a delightful addition to our family! So, officially, welcome aboard!
Last note (I swear!): we are interested in buying a water buffalo. Seriously - Heifer International is an amazing program dedicated to providing livestock to struggling subsistence communities in developing nations. They have a great reputation, and we've chosen them as a way of paying forward some of the blessings bestowed on us here in Medusa over the past year. Still working on the details, but we'll keep you in the loop.
So - wow - doesn't this mean the holidays have begun? Next stop, Thanksgiving!
I can't believe Halloween is behind us. Best parade costume: Chilean Miners with el Presidente. Amazing.
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