Over Thanksgiving weekend, we dragged a guest along with us for some holiday shopping. When we pulled into a Lenox shopping center, our guest remarked that the center’s Market 32 looked like a lovely place to shop. When I said it was the sibling of Great Barrington’s Price Chopper, our guest was surprised, wondering why Great Barrington’s market was so shabby in comparison. Why, indeed?
If the Great Barrington Selectboard votes as I expect it will on December 4, perhaps by next Thanksgiving our guest will remark that Great Barrington’s Market 32 looks like a lovely place to shop. At least, let’s hope that we get a little help from either Selectboard members Eric Gabriel or Ben Elliott, or both, to make it so.
As you know, twice before the Golub Corporation implored the Selectboard to issue a license to permit it to sell beer and wine. With a license in hand, Golub intends to invest millions to convert our forlorn Price Chopper into a vivacious Market 32, expanding into two abutting vacant stores to make room for larger departments and add an alcohol section at its core, precisely the layout Big Y has now. Let’s all drink to that.
Golub has stated, repeatedly, that the planned expansion and investment would only be warranted if it has a level playing field with Big Y—the field here being the ability to sell beer and wine. It only makes sense to Golub to invest heavily in Great Barrington if it can be a one-stop-shop like Big Y and its other Market 32 stores, including the ones in Lenox and Pittsfield. Perhaps to prove its point, after the March 2023 unsatisfactory vote, Golub took away the new Market 32 shopping carts, returning in their stead those metal carts with the squeaky wheels that go left when you want them to go right.
It is easy to agree that the history of this particular license is less than perfect because even one esteemed member of the Selectboard, Leigh Davis, wrote letters to the editor stating that she regretted her decision to abstain from the March vote. While I was puzzled by the abstention at the time, I was more troubled by the grounds stated by two Selectboard members that voted against the application. (Selectboard member Garfield Reed recuses himself from consideration of the application because he works at a package store in town.)
Mr. Gabriel has said that he doesn’t think it is wise to sell alcohol in markets. Given that Guido’s, Big Y, Gorham & Norton, and the Berkshire Food Co-op all sell beer and wine, that ship is far out to sea. Mr. Gabriel is entitled to his sentiments as much as the next person, but there is certainly no empirical evidence that any harm has come from beer and wine sales at the town’s markets. It is a bit rich to argue in a town with up to one cannabis dispensary license per thousand residents that we need to protect our town from an occasional six pack to go along with a frozen pizza. I know that some have suggested that Mr. Gabriel’s opposition is rooted in the fact that he is the lessor of a bar in nearby Housatonic, but there is no known evidence supporting that accusation.
Former Selectboard member Ed Abrahams voted against the license out of a fear that minors might sneak out with a beer. Have you been to Price Chopper? The staff congregate around the doors. Just try checking out without paying for that paper bag and you will see what I mean. It would be easier to sneak through a TSA checkpoint than walk out unaccosted with a nice chardonnay.
Mr. Elliot, a native Housatonic son, now occupies Mr. Abrahams’ former seat. Among other things, Mr. Elliott ran on improving Housatonic. What greater gift could he bestow on Housatonic than an enlarged and refurbished market? As he must know, it is tiresome for folks in the village to drive through town to get to Big Y, Guido’s, or the Co-op. Talk about being given an excellent opportunity to serve your constituents. Mr. Elliott simply needs to run with a campaign slogan “I brought us Market 32!” and he will hold the seat for an eternity.
While I acknowledge it is generally poor form to count votes before they are cast, it is fairly obvious that Selectboard Chair Steve Bannon is in favor of the license. Although he has acknowledged that he is Ed Domaney’s longtime friend, he has repeatedly stated that he is not concerned that the license will impact his friend’s store (or their friendship). I couldn’t agree more with Mr. Bannon. Domaney’s second floor is a wine connoisseur’s wonderland. I haven’t looked at what Market 32 sells in its other stores, but I suspect its wine list isn’t much deeper than Kendall-Jackson’s private reserve. For those looking for that special white Bordeaux, a nice Oregon pinot, or some knowledgeable help, Domaney’s will always be the place.
We know from Selectboard member Leigh Davis’ needless apology that she does not intend on abstaining. We also know that Ms. Davis voted in favor of the license when first given the chance. As someone who thought Hilary was assuredly going to be a great president, I need to acknowledge that I might have this wrong, but I would bet dollars to donuts Ms. Davis comes out on the right side of this vote on Monday.
Mr. Gabriel has hopefully come to the realization that there is nothing intrinsically wrong with the sale of beer and wine in markets, but to each his own. Golub needs but one more vote to spend millions to improve its store and shop on the north end of town, and I am sure Mr. Elliott will come through for his fellow Housatoniconians. While a unanimous vote would be terrific, three votes will do.
For Great Barrington to thrive, the town should support both small and large businesses. Enabling Golub to invest millions to give the town the gift of a new market in the north end while also appreciating the wonderful service and selection at Domaney’s are not inconsistent. And there is something to be said about avoiding a 20-minute drive across town and the burning of fuel that goes with it.
I am looking forward to Monday’s vote. There are assuredly three—and hopefully four—Selectboard members that have the chance to finally get this right. Then Golub can pop a cork, open its checkbook, and gift the town with the lovely place to shop we have been waiting for. Third time is surely the charm.
