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Restaurant Happenings - January 2007

“It Takes A Whole Village To Raise A Child…”
By Nancy Walther

Village Market
702 South Main Street
Moab, Utah 84532
435-259-3111


In general this Nigerian proverb conveys the African worldview that emphasizes the values of family relationships, parental care, self-sacrificing concern for others, sharing, and even hospitality. This proverb is thought provoking. It is however going to be a segue for a story about a wonderful supermarket that is thriving in the village of Moab…

The owner of The Village Market, John Buxman would want you to call him John, “…things are very informal here, and we operate on a first name basis.” He might also add that it has been his “dream” to provide the unique experience of a neighborhood grocery store, with the modern advantages.

Way back in 1967, in the little town of Minturn, Colorado, it began and has since grown into 4 village market stores that are either in western CO. or SE Utah. It seems evident that his idea of this “neighborhood grocery store” is an idea shared by many of their patron customers as they do continue to thrive and prosper in communities where commitment to the people that live there, remains foremost in the business’ philosophy.

My attention was torn between the history of the stores owner, his dream; and the fascinating actuality of his dream, this quaint, approachable, successful market.

The Village Market, located on Main, heading south, in the heart of Moab, is packed full of sumptuous food and lots of “family”. It is truly a team effort amongst the staff and managers to provide the stores core values. “To work together to provide the BEST customer service ever. To look out for the customers every need and want. To also provide the BEST product and prices as that is the incentive for the customers to return again and again.”

There are familiar faces that call you by name, that greet you as they lovingly tend to the lettuce, squash & fruit that adorn the front entry. The entrance that is welcoming and looks like a proud host of many a great product... You will enter in to the very nucleus of the market as you walk in, the Produce Area, where the fresh well-stocked harvest awaits the hungry shoppers. It is truly a market, and that resonates as you walk in to that vast produce area.

Village MarketWhat do you crave? Trail Mix, a 3-layer cake, a fresh salad with all the fixings, soup, fresh bread, rack of ribs, salmon, chicken, cheese, beer, water, milk and bread? A mini-dollar store? Whatever you want, is what I saw, neatly laid out, throughout the various departments. It is a pretty big store, but it is more of a “market”, an efficient place to shop AND see your friends. You feel like you are a part of the family, part of the village, the community, and a hub for many things besides milk and bread. You can buy the local papers with a cup of coffee and a donut and sit out front and read. “We have regulars who do that, if we don’t see them every day, we get worried.” Dorthea mentioned, when asked about the kinship with the customers. It is refreshing to feel like you are in a place that is personable and caring. You can’t be in there 5 minutes without the “village” staff acknowledging you and attending to any requests. You can ask them for anything and if they can’t find it, have a policy that states they will do everything they can to get it for you for the next visit. Even little Alexx Myers of Moab expressed his shopping glee, as he was able to join in the experience.

RECIPE OF THE MONTH

Sauteed Chayote
per Jason in Village Market Produce!

INGREDIENTS:
2 chayote squash
1 medium onion
1 green pepper
1 red pepper
1 clove of garlic
2 Tbsp. Olive oil
Salt & Pepper to taste

METHOD:
Peel and slice chayote. Chop onion, peppers and garlic. Preheat oil in saucepan and sauté all ingredients until tender. Chayote will be firm, but crunchy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with grilled meat and rice.

The Moab Store manager, Everett Vaughn is a good example of this caring and devoted mentality. You will not have to look far, as he is the one who is bigger than life, greeting people as they emerge through the wide double-doors of the entrance. We conducted our interview while Everett tended to people in line, answered questions from cashiers and greeted almost every customer. He raved about the other employees, the on-site master butcher, or the companies three other stores. The “masters” that are in the Village Market family, are proud and happy. Whether it is Rich in the Meat dept., or Jason in Produce, Ken in the Bakery/Deli. are devoted to their craft in the Village Market “family” business. Lest not forget the countless others that work there whose names include Dorthea, Susan, Jennifer, Lyndi, James and many more. Everett and his family/staff can be found there, most days, Monday through Sunday, 7am to 10pm waiting to help shoppers shop and get home quick. I don’t think they have changed their hours since the opening in May of ’06, and they have perfected a real savings plan that if the “village” coupons are used with a $25 purchase, you save 12% on average! (Those coupons are often in the local papers and in the store as well!) They are really giving us consumers some help where we need it most.

Stop by and say “HI!” to your “family”. Ah Moab!

 

Village Market Moab Utah

 

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