David Renner and Kevin Schmitz met in 1990 when they were both working at the White Hart Inn in Salisbury, Conn. Renner had trained at the Culinary Institute of America, and both he and Schmitz had worked at renowned food venues in New York City, but what solidified their relationship was a shared passion: to provide high quality prepared food made from locally sourced ingredients for people to bring back to their own homes.
They opened The Marketplace in Sheffield in 1993. Now, almost 30 years later, they have a thriving catering business, serve food in three dine-in/take-out locations—The Marketplace Café in Sheffield, The Marketplace Table in Great Barrington and The Marketplace Café in Pittsfield—, sell food at the new Marketplace Specialty Food Shop on Route 7 just north of downtown Great Barrington, and operate The Miller Pub, a comfortable gathering place right in downtown Great Barrington.
And this past Thursday, September 8, at a festive celebration in the newly built lodge at Catamount Mountain Resort, they were honored as “Business Persons of the Year” by the Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce.
This was the 13th time the Southern Berkshire Chamber has bestowed this Business Person(s) of the Year award. Each honoree is recognized for three principal characteristics: personal qualities, managerial skills, and contribution to the Southern Berkshires community. Suggestions for nominees are solicited from the general public—chamber members, non-members and local residents. To assure a non-biased outcome, a non-board committee reviews all nominations, makes a selection from the pool of nominees, and sends their recommendation to the Chamber’s board of directors.
Following a welcome from current Chamber board co-president Bill Tighe, presentations by three of the honorees’ co-workers made it clear to the audience why Renner and Schmitz so richly deserved this recognition.
Chef Christopher Brooks met the honorees years ago through the hospitality channels of the Berkshires and has recently joined The Marketplace as a business partner. The Marketplace offers “real food made by real people,” said Brooks, and he has long admired how these two real people have conducted their lives. Renner and Schmitz have both enjoyed long marriages and rich family lives. Their skills complement each other—with Renner as the planner and Schmitz as the perfectionist who also makes wonderful cakes. “Life is challenging. We all need to support each other, and these people do.”
Chef Douglas Luf expanded on the qualities of kindness and consideration which characterize Renner and Schmitz. Luf recounted his first meeting with Renner and Schmitz in the mid-1990s at a tasting dinner where each chef was preparing a course. “David and Kevin were doing dessert (a killer caramel dessert) and I had the first course. I had come alone and I suddenly wondered how the hell was I going to do it on my own. Of all the chefs present that night, only David and Kevin offered to help. Twelve years ago they hired me to run their kitchen, and five years ago I became a partner. Their act of kindness stuck with me.”
Nina Ramos, manager of the new Marketplace Specialty Food Shop, has worked for Renner and Schmitz since 2017. She continues to marvel at the breadth of their knowledge. But, even more, she has concluded that “there couldn’t be a better pair. Nothing is too small or too big to ask them.” They will deliver a meal to an elderly customer, will drive the dishwasher home if his car isn’t working, will give meals to people who need them, even to staff members.” Ramos recalled a crazy Thanksgiving when the Marketplace still had a counter at Guido’s and they were overwhelmed with orders. “Dave jumped in to serve at the deli (“He loves to work that slicer.”). Kevin worked the cheese department. Even Claudia, Kevin’s wife, pitched in. According to Nina, David, Kevin, Doug and now Chris form an awesome team, guided by the motto ‘We can do this!’”
State Representative William “Smitty” Pignatelli presented the honorees with a House citation. “David and Kevin continue to expand, to grow, to make a commitment to the Berkshires. Thank you for believing in the Berkshires. I can’t think of two better people. It’s people like David and Kevin who make the Berkshires home.”
Wheeler & Taylor’s president Scott Rote, the most recent Business Person of the Year, rounded out the testimonials by sharing “little things people might not know” about Renner’s and Schmitz’s commitment to the community. “I worked with Kevin at the Chamber, and he always gave and cared. David is a volunteer fireman in South Lee and I’m a volunteer fireman in Great Barrington, and I know what a commitment it takes to do that service to the community. Next week, Wheeler & Taylor will celebrate our 150th anniversary and who else would we hire to cater the party but The Marketplace?”
Finally, Renner and Schmitz each spoke, told some war stories, and especially thanked their families, their partners, their dedicated staff of over 100 people now, and their customers.
And perhaps the greatest testimony of all that the Chamber could bestow on these honorees is the fact that The Marketplace was hired to cater this event!
