John and I drove through parts of Rhode Island we’ve never seen before on our way to and from Providence this afternoon. We fell in love with Bristol and Barrington (those two towns just rose to the top of where we think we want to live) and, in an entirely different (much more rural and remote) way, with Little Compton. The main problem we foresee with Little Compton (assuming we could work from home and/or a nearby storefront) is finding where to buy groceries. We didn’t see a single grocery store in that town or the one just north of it. There were a couple of very small markets (one seasonal and one that seemed to only carry milk and bread), but that was it. Where do these people buy food?
Inane Chatter
What were you expecting?
Anonymous
Of course, you don’t remember because you were too young, but when we lived in Chesapeake Beach, the closest grocery store was a Giant in Prince Frederick 15 miles away. In CB, there was only a small local market, totally inadequate. A shame. And a huge inconvenience, but we dealt with it. Occasional trips to Prince Frederick interspersed with the commissary at Andrews AF base. Choices can be hard.
The Wombat
Have you Googled Wegmans locations yet?
SuzRocks
Maybe they grow it all themselves? You might want to get some chickens. And a few goats.
Zannah
Mom, I remember trips to the commissary (and from my recent quick visit to CB, I don’t think they’ve added any new grocery stores), but since I didn’t have to do the shopping, I don’t remember the inconvenience. There was always food around when I wanted it. 🙂
Wombat – I did, but Wegman’s doesn’t go that far. They’re pretty much only in VA, PA, NY, and NJ. Nothing east of NY. And Stew Leonard’s, which is comparable to Wegman’s (and the guy who owns it is friends with or related to the Wegman family), is only in CT. Closer, but not close enough.
Suz, you could be right. There were a lot of farms out that way, but there were plenty of houses that didn’t seem to have farms attached. So they can’t ALL be farmers. Right? Maybe they’re all part of a co-op.
Crissy
I came across your blog looking for something else but wanted to comment. I live in Little Compton and we do eat and have grocery stores. Wilburs on the town commons has what you need for a price but 10 minutes over the border in Westport is Lee’s Market that carries all the normal stuff and alcohol too and then 10 minutes further in Dartmouth are all the big chains, sadly no Wegmans. In the summer the produce from the farm stands is wonderful and somewhere along the road there is always a cooler with farm fresh eggs set out and a honor can to but a couple bucks in for them. Glad you found our town and hope you get to come back for a visit again.
Zannah
Crissy, thanks for stopping by and for clearing that up for me. 🙂 It’s a relief to know that the residents of Little Compton have easy access to food. (I know that sounds sarcastic, but I don’t mean it that way. It helps make us moving there a little more likely.) I hope you come back!