It’s not easy living in paradise. Every Vineyarder, whether seasonal or terminal, knows there are existential dilemmas with which we all contend. Is the best thing about Martha’s Vineyard that the
glorious days and nights of summer always eventually arrive? Or is it that August reliably careens its way at last into the quieter perfection of September? Is it more gratifying that the Vineyard is not the Hamptons? Or that it is not Nantucket? Are the seasonal corn riots at Morning Glory Farm a sign that Island corn really is better? Or is it a sign that the non-natives are getting dangerously restless? And of course, there is the great unanswerable: is it safe under any condition to swim within three hours of eating a Humphreys Gobbler?
These are just a few of the delicate balances we all must strike as we go about the business of being luckier in location than the rest of the nation. But the most complex of the calculations facing Islanders of all stripes and corn-rioting tendencies comes into play when picking the Best of the Vineyard. It is what the eminent clinical psychologist and part-time Chilmark resident, C.R. Newhouse-Lovett, has identified as the “be-in-the-moment/should-have-been-here-yesterday cognitive
imperative.” And it is potentially dangerous.
It’s a long name for a simple problem. According to Newhouse-Lovett, vulnerable
Islanders get caught in a bind between twin psychic demands. On the one hand, every self-respecting Vineyarder is an easygoing, enjoy-the-day type who might occasionally mutter, “Hey, you’re not off-Island anymore,” when cut off at Five Corners, but always does so with a measure of sympathy and understanding. On the other hand, true Vineyarders cherish few things more than the idea of yesterday: nostalgia is an art form here; at times it’s a blood sport. In the most extreme cases, Newhouse-Lovett says, people find themselves successfully living fully in the moment – they’re downright Buddhist about it. But the moment they are living within is unfortunately 1972. Or 1986. Or ’54. There are early signs of a potential epidemic of ’97s and ’98s. The symptoms are manageable, but only if sufferers
severely limit their time off-Island.
For the magazine, all of this made the selection of this year’s panel of judges somewhat complicated. A few of last
year’s panelists were diagnosed with the condition over the winter, forcing us to ask them to take a leave of absence:
we could not in good conscience name Helios as a runner-up for best lunch, or the
bowling alley as the best bowling alley. Even more importantly, we took extreme care not to enlist persons on the borderline, lest the mere exercise of voting for this year’s Best of the Vineyard might become their personal tipping point into the abyss.
The good news is Dr. Newhouse-Lovett kindly offered to screen potential panelists, and all were deemed sufficiently nostalgic to know what they’re talking about, but fully in the current moment nonetheless. In other words, the results of the 2004 Best of the
Vineyard survey are in, they’re certified, and the smarter Islander will go enjoy them right away. You never know: today’s Best Of may someday be your very own Best Ever.
Everything from fish markets to facials to florists to fried clams – the very best the Island has to offer you this summer, as chosen by 200 members of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce. Island businesses voting on the achievements of Island businesses. Sponsored by Martha’s Vineyard Magazine.
Best Airline
Cape Air
Martha’s Vineyard Airport.
1-800-352-0714.
www.flycapeair.com
Best Antique Store
Past & Presents
42 Main St., Edgartown.
508-627-6686.
37 Main St., Edgartown.
508-627-3992.
Runner-up
Tuckernuck
79 Tuckernuck Ave.,
Oak Bluffs. 508-696-6392.
Best Art Gallery
The Granary Gallery
636 Old County Rd., West Tisbury. 508-693-0455.
www.granarygallery.com
Runner-up
Dragonfly Gallery
91 Dukes County Ave.,
Oak Bluffs. 508-693-8877.
www.mvdragonfly.com
Best Bait & Tackle
Coop’s Bait and Tackle
147 West Tisbury Rd.,
Edgartown. 508-627-3909.
www.coopsbaitandtackle.com
Runner-up
Dick’s Bait Shop
New York Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-7669.
Best Bakery
Humphreys
State Rd., West Tisbury.
508-693-1079.
40 Winter St., Edgartown. 508-627-7029.
Runner-up
Biga Bakery
479 State Rd., West Tisbury. 508-693-6924.
Best Bank
Martha’s Vineyard Co-operative Bank
40 South Main St.,
Vineyard Haven.
508-693-0161.
490 State Rd., West Tisbury. 508-693-0161.
www.mvbank.com
Runner-up
Dukes County
Savings Bank
78 Main St., Edgartown.
508-627-4266.
65 Main St., Vineyard Haven.
508-693-2666.
www.dukescountysavingsbank.com
Best Bar/Pub
Offshore Ale
30 Kennebec Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-2626.
Runner-up
The Newes from America
23 Kelly St., Edgartown.
508-627-4397.
Best Beach for Kids
State Beach
Oak Bluffs and Edgartown.
Runner-up
Lambert’s Cove
Lambert’s Cove Rd.,
West Tisbury.
Best B&B
Hob Knob Inn
128 Main St., Edgartown. 508-627-9510.
Runner-up
Thorncroft Inn
460 Main St.,
Vineyard Haven.
508-693-3333.
Best Bike Rental/Repair
Craig’s Bicycles
344 State Rd.,
Vineyard Haven.
508-693-8693.
Runner-up
Edgartown Bike Rental
212 Upper Main St.,
Edgartown. 508-627-9008.
Best Bookstore
Bunch of Grapes
44 Main St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-2291.
www.bunchofgrapes.com
Runner-up
Edgartown Books
44 Main St., Edgartown.
508-627-8463.
Best Breakfast
Restaurant
ArtCliff Diner
39 Beach Rd., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-1224.
Runner-up
Linda Jean’s Restaurant
25 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-4093.
Best Burger
The Newes from America
23 Kelly St., Edgartown.
508-627-4397.
Runner-up
Offshore Ale
30 Kennebec Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-2626.
Best Candy
Chilmark Chocolates
State Rd., Chilmark.
508-645-3013.
Runner-up
Ice Cream and
Candy Bazaar
5 Dock St., Edgartown.
508-627-8735.
Best Caterer
V. Jaime Hamlin
71 Lake St.,
Vineyard Haven.
508-693-6313.
Runner-up
Fella Caters
Vineyard Haven.
508-693-1572.
www.fellacaters.com
Best Chowder
The Bite
29 Basin Rd., Menemsha. 508-645-9239.
Runner-up
Slice of Life
50 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-3838.
Best Clambake
Bill Smith’s M.V. Clambake
Edgartown. 1-800-828-6936 and 508-627-8809.
www.mvclambake.com
Runner-up
Lobster Tales Catering
Edgartown. 508-627-5933.
www.lobstertales.com
Best Children’s
Clothing Store
Basics
22 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-8819.
Runner-up
Vineyard Kids
21 Kelly St., Edgartown.
508-627-7833.
Best Men’s
Clothing Store
Sun Dog
41 Main St., Edgartown.
508-627-5254.
Runner-up
Basics
22 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs.
508-693-8819.
Best Women’s
Clothing Store
Laughing Bear
33 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-9342.
Runner-up
Basics
22 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-8819.
Best Coffee Shop
Bongo
15 Main St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-1347.
Runner-up
Espresso Love
17 Church St., Edgartown. 508-627-9211.
Best Deli
Humphreys
State Rd., West Tisbury.
508-693-1079.
40 Winter St., Edgartown. 508-627-7029.
Runner-up
Tony’s Market
119 Dukes County Ave.,
Oak Bluffs. 508-693-4799.
Best Dinner Restaurant
Sweet Life Café
63 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-696-0200.
Runner-up
Chesca’s Restaurant
38 North Water St.,
Edgartown. 508-627-1234.
Best Facial
Cozy’s
224 Edgartown-Vineyard Haven Rd., 508-939-9300.
Runner-up
Spa at Mansion House
9 Main St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-2200, ext. 105.
Best Fish Market
The Net Result
Tisbury Marketplace,
Beach Rd., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-6071.
www.mvseafood.com
Runner-up
Larsen’s Fish Market
56 Basin Rd., Menemsha. 508-645-2680.
Best Fish & Chips
Sandy’s Fish & Chips
State Road, Vineyard Haven. 508-693-1220.
Runner-up
The Newes from America
23 Kelly St., Edgartown.
508-627-4397.
Best Fishing
Charter Boat
Skipper Party Boat
On the bulkhead, across from the Island Queen, Oak Bluffs. 508-693-1238.
www.mvskipper.com
Runner-up
Capt. Porky’s
13 Dock St., Edgartown.
508-627-7117.
Best Florist
Donaroma’s Nursery
271 Upper Main St.,
Edgartown. 508-627-8366.
Runner-up
Morrice Florist
149 State Rd.,
Vineyard Haven.
508-693-0392.
Best Fried Clams
Giordano’s Restaurant
107 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-0184.
Runner-up
The Bite
29 Basin Rd., Menemsha. 508-645-9239.
Best Gift Shop
Rainy Day
66 Main St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-1830.
Runner-up
Willoughby’s
Essentials
12 North Water St.,
Edgartown. 508-627-4116.
Best Hair Salon
Bouclé
12 North Water St.,
Edgartown. 508-627-3853.
Runner-up
Wave Lengths Salon
223 Upper Main St.,
Edgartown. 508-627-7066.
Best Health Store
Supernatural Health Store
294 State Rd., Vineyard Haven. 508-696-7877.
Runner-up
Cronig’s Market
State Rd., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-4457.
State Rd., West Tisbury.
508-693-2234.
Best Hardware Store
Shirley’s Hardware
374 State Rd., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-3070.
Runner-up
H.N. Hinckley & Sons, Inc./
Ace Hardware
27 Beach Rd., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-0075.
Best Home Furnishings
Vineyard Decorators
Martha’s Vineyard Airport. 508-693-9197.
Runner-up
Le Roux at Home
62 Main St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-0030.
Best Hotel/Inn
Charlotte Inn
27 South Summer St.,
Edgartown. 508-627-4751.
Runner-up
Mansion House
9 Main St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-2200.
Best Ice Cream Shop
Mad Martha’s
20 Union St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-5883.
Runner-up
Ben and Bill’s
Chocolate Emporium
20A Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-696-0008.
Best Island-made Clothing
Fleece Dreams
Church St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-6141.
Runner-up
Periwinkle Studio
92 Dukes County Ave.,
Oak Bluffs. 5080-696-8304.
Best Jeweler
CB Stark Jewelers
53 Main St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-2284.
Runner-up
Claudia
51 Main St., Edgartown.
508-627-8306.
Best Landscaper/
Nursery
Joint winner
Donaroma
271 Upper Main St.,
Edgartown.
508-627-3036.
Landscope
16 A St., Edgartown.
508-696-8812.
Best Lunch Restaurant
Farm Neck Café
County Rd., Oak Bluffs.
508-693-3057.
Runner-up
The Slice of Life
50 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-3838.
Best Movie Theater
Edgartown
Entertainment
65 Main St., Edgartown.
508-627-8008.
Runner-up
Capawock Theater
Main St., Vineyard Haven. 508-696-9200.
Best Night
Entertainment Spot
Hot Tin Roof
Martha’s Vineyard Airport. 508-693-1137.
Runner-up
Atlantic Connection
19 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-7129.
Best Package/
Liquor Store
Our Market
2 East Chop Dr., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-3000.
Runner-up
Jim’s Package Store
27 Lake Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-0236.
Best Picnic Spot
Menemsha Beach
Runner-up
Gay Head Beach
Best Pizza
Lattanzi’s Pizzeria
Post Office Square,
Edgartown. 508-627-9084.
Runner-up
Giordano’s Restaurant
107 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs. 508-693-0184.
Best Place to Get
Picnic Food
Soigne
190 Upper Main St.,
Edgartown. 508-627-8489.
Runner-up
Humphreys
State Rd., West Tisbury.
508-693-1079.
40 Winter St., Edgartown.
508-627-7029.
Best Realtor Company
Landmarks
132 Main St., Vineyard Haven.
508-693-6866.
www.mvlandmarks.com
Runner-up
Wallace and Co.
1 North Water St.,
-Edgartown. 508-627-3313.
www.wallacemv.com
Best Seafood
Restaurant
Home Port
North Rd., Menemsha.
508-645-2679.
Runner-up
The Square Rigger
225 State Rd., Edgartown.
508-627-9968.
Best Shoe Store
Brickman’s
8 Main St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-0047.
Runner-up
Walk This Way
35 Circuit Ave., Oak Bluffs.
508-693-7333.
Best Source for Fresh
Island Produce
Morning Glory Farm
100 Meshacket Rd.,
Edgartown. 508-627-9003.
Runner-up
Farmer’s Market
Grange Hall, West Tisbury. (Wednesdays and Saturdays.)
Best Summer Event
Oak Bluffs Fireworks
Ocean Park, Oak Bluffs.
Runner-up
Agricultural Fair
MV Agricultural Hall,
State Rd., West Tisbury.
Best Sunday Brunch
Lola’s
Beach Rd., Oak Bluffs.
508-693-5007.
Runner-up
Harbor View Hotel
131 North Water St.,
Edgartown. 508-627-7000.
Best Toy Store
The Toy Box
Tisbury Marketplace,
Beach Rd., Vineyard Haven.
508-645-1838.
Runner-up
Vineyard Kids
27 North Water St.,
Edgartown.
508-627-7833.
Best T-Shirt
The Black Dog
454 State Rd.,
Vineyard Haven.
508-693-7078.
480 State Rd.,
Vineyard Haven.
1-800-626-1991.
Runner-up
Menemsha Blues
2 Basin Rd., Menemsha.
508-645-3800.
36 Water St., Vineyard Haven. 508-693-9599.
Best Taxi Service
AdamCab
256 Edgartown Rd.,
Edgartown.
1-800-281-4462.
Runner-up
Mario’s Taxi
3 James Way,
West Tisbury.
1-877-627-6972.
Best Video Store
Hollywood Video
244 Edgartown Rd.,
Edgartown.
508-627-3533.
Runner-up
Island Entertainment
395 State Rd.,
Vineyard Haven.
508-693-7441.
