Where the food is real and the people are too Green Grocer keeps things local, simple and delicious by Sandra Landen Machaj CORRESPONDENT
When the Bay Centre building on Geneva Street was built over 100 years ago, it is unlikely that its owners considered that in the 21st century it would still be used for a successful business and still continue to
look much as it did when built. More surprising is that some of the features that made it a showcase, such as the brick walls, hardwood floors and tin ceiling, would continue to be present in the building and part of the ambiance that today’s customers enjoy. More than 12 years ago, Jennifer Veith and her business partner Dawn Marie Mancuso opened the Green Grocer at 24 Geneva Street in the Bay Centre building, Williams Bay. Familiar with the building as they are also partners in the Coldwater Spa already located there, they were extremely pleased when the adjoining space became available. They went on to add Jennifer’s
sister, Jane Larson to the ownership team. Interested in health and wellness, they felt that a green grocery adjacent to the spa was the perfect partner. Since both are careful of the types of food they eat, they began plans for a grocery store that provided clean healthy foods, without unnecessary additives. And so, the Green Grocer and Café was born. Rather than trying to update the building they embraced its historic features. A walk into the Green grocer is a walk into a corner grocery store of the past. The hardwood floors show the years of wear as customers made their way through the building. Occasionally you step on a board that offers
The checkout counter is always busy, especially during the lunch hour when local residents and visitors stop in to pick up their sandwiches, pizza or salads. SANDRA LANDEN MACHAJ Spirit of Geneva Lakes
SPIRIT of GENEVA LAKES
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