Lees is more

by Sean McCarthy

Westport’s own Lees Market is a food shopping experience like no other – a convenient one-stop opportunity for all of your culinary needs and edible interests.

If you need something on the go, want to take something home, do your grocery shopping, or just sit down and enjoy a bite to eat, Lees Market is unmatched for its service, quality, and variety.

With two kitchens, a café, a deli, a bakery, a smokehouse, a liquor store, and an abundance of shelved items, Lees is continuing a tradition of excellence and community involvement that began 73 years ago.

“As an independent store we are unique,” says Tracy Anthony, owner of Lees Market. “We carry a lot of products that you don’t find in other stores. There’s many reasons to shop here – you can find many different items.”

And providing foods from throughout the region is a hallmark of this store. “We’re hyper-local,” Anthony says.

“We have a lot of natural organic products from farmers and vendors in Dartmouth, Westport, Little Compton, and throughout New England.”

“We take a lot of pride in finding items that people are looking for,” Anthony says. “If we don’t have something in stock, we’ll get it. If someone asks for something today, we’ll likely have it for them tomorrow. Because we’re independent we can turn on a dime. We don’t have the red tape of larger stores. If we want to add a new sandwich to our café or a new salad to the deli we can do it today.”

Lees has a reputation for quality foods. If you’re interested in having breakfast or lunch, their Blue Lobster Café has a seating area. Their kitchens offer items such as rotisserie chickens and their ever popular pot pies. On weekends they prepare smoked ribs. If you’re interested in a full meal to take home, their variety of items includes things such as meatloaf, chicken salad, and Shrimp Mozambique with potatoes, vegetables, and rice. Their bakery offers a bevy of items made from scratch, and they have a Popcorn Hut with a variety of flavors. There is an array of beverages, including a coffee lineup that features lattes and espressos.

“We have a lot of products that go well together,” Anthony says. “We have a lot of cheeses that go well with some of the fine wines that we carry. There’s a lot of opportunities for customers.”

Modern convenience

Lees’ commitment to customers includes online ordering with its’ “Groceries To Go” option. Four days a week the store will deliver groceries to your home, and seven days a week you can pre-order your items online and pick them up at the store. There are minimum amounts for pickups and deliveries.

Lees enjoys playing a charitable role in the community. They sponsor educational field trips for fifth-grade students in the Westport school system, in addition to running the Community Partners Program, which is a fundraiser for local non-profit organizations such as churches, schools, and more.

“We have a lot of natural organic products from farmers and vendors in Dartmouth, Westport, Little Compton, and throughout New England.”

And the Lees experience takes children into account – the store includes a giant fish tank that can occupy the attention of young people. They also offer an entertaining and engaging Lego display where children find a hidden character for a chance to win a prize.

“We want to be a pleasant, positive shopping experience,” Anthony says. “Customer service is first and foremost, and our staff is very attentive to our customers. We want to be helpful and give people what they need. Hopefully our customers are excited when they’re shopping here.”

Anthony purchased Lees Market in 2014 from Albert Lees III, who opened the store in 1949. It is located at 796 Main Road in Westport. Anthony also owns Clements Marketplace, with locations in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, and Plymouth. For more information, visit leesmarket.com.