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Chappaquiddick, Chilmark, Edgartown, Food, Menemsha, Oak Bluffs, Vineyard Haven, West Tisbury

Where to Shop for Food on Martha’s Vineyard

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As you plan your vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, your mind is, most likely, already lying on the beach – probably not shopping at the grocery store. But one of the greatest benefits of renting a house on the island is that you don’t have to dine out for all of your meals or rely on hotel restaurant hours. Your house comes equipped with a complete kitchen – so you can eat your lobsters whenever you like.

Here’s where to shop for groceries:

Down Island
Stop and Shop (Vineyard Haven and Edgartown)
Two convenient locations for this good old, standard supermarket, includes a large organic/natural section and features competitive prices.

Cronig’s Market (Vineyard Haven)
A Vineyard landmark with everything you need. Cronig’s has a great organic/natural section, supports the Island Grown Initiative (Buy Local!) and carries many local items – food and body care. Healthy Additions, found in a separate building to the left of the main store, is stocked with natural snacks, health and beauty products.

Reliable Market (Oak Bluffs)
Classic family store in its 3rd generation, known for its great meat and fantastic butcher and conveniently located in the heart of Oak Bluffs on Circuit Ave.

Katama General Store (Edgartown)
A perfect stop on the way to the beach with groceries, a deli and even catering services.

The Chappy Store (Chappaquiddick)
Right on the main road, about 2 miles from the ferry. Just the basics and sandwiches for the beach.

Up Island
Up Island Cronig’s (West Tisbury)
Smaller version of the Vineyard Haven store conveniently located in West Tisbury – perfect for up-island renters who choose to stay on the quiet side of the island. Up Island Cronig’s has everything you need.

Fiddlehead Farm (West Tisbury)
Great produce, much of it organic, and tasty specialty items with a european flare like crackers, cheeses, sausages and sauces.

Alley’s General Store (West Tisbury)
Right in the heart of town, basic groceries plus all the old-fashioned general store amenities and charm including toys, games and beach fare.

West Tisbury Farmer’s Market (West Tisbury)
Not a ‘store’ in the classic sense, but offering an incredible spread of island grown produce, meats, baked goods, infamous vietnamese springrolls, medicinals and crafts every Saturday and Wednesday all summer. Don’t miss it!

The Chilmark Store (Chilmark)
Staple groceries and goods attached to an island-renowned pizzeria and deli. Pull up a rocker on the front porch and watch life at Beetlebung Corner float by.

Menemsha Market (Menemsha)
Small, quaint and full of little treasures, just like Menemsha. Goods for the beach and books for kids included. Perfect for the groceries and pie when you are all the way up-island.

Tea Lane Caterers & The Phantom Chef (Chilmark)
If you don’t feel like cooking, don’t have time to get to the market or you’re planning a party, call Chef Dee Smith, the Phantom Chef. The food is amazing and the gourmet drop-off meal service is the perfect compliment to your Vineyard vacation.

Martha's Vineyard, MV Rentals

Pre-trip Checklist: Martha’s Vineyard Vacation Rental

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Pack up the Car!

Renting a house on Martha’s Vineyard for your vacation is, of course, a fantastic idea. You’ll have a whole house to spread out in and really relax – by yourself, with a loved one or surrounded by the whole family. This pre-trip checklist will help you be prepared so that you can have a wonderful and stress-free getaway.

LINENS & TOWELS. Check your lease to see if linens and towels are provided by the homeowner or tenant. Most houses do not provide beach towels, so plan to bring your own. If packing linens is a hassle you don’t want, you can rent from Takemmy Linen Rental. They’ll deliver a bag of clean linens to the house on the day of your arrival and pick up the dirty linens on your departure day.

BABY EQUIPMENT RENTAL. Don’t feel like you have to lug it all along! Baby Bear Equipment Rental will deliver and pick up whatever you need, and their equipment is kept clean and up to date.

ARRIVAL TIME. Double check your lease for the exact time of check in and try to schedule your travel plans accordingly. Your House Info Packet will be available at the rental office at this time and then, you will be able to go to your house.

CHECK-IN DIRECTIONS. Be sure you have directions for your initial point of contact on the island for check-in (usually the Rental Office). You may have directions directly to the house but most agencies require you come to their office to pick up a check-in packet with keys and directions.

FERRY TICKETS. It is best to book your ferry reservations as soon as you have secured your island rental. Summer weekend boats sell out very quickly if you are bringing your car. Summer tickets typically become available for purchase in early February. Contact The Steamship Authority or the New England Fast Ferry (remember no cars on the fast ferry!)

GROCERIES. If you can, you may want to travel with a cooler full of food staples because rental house kitchens and fridges are usually left free of any food, including condiments.

CAR RENTAL. There are cars available for rent on the island, but this is not the Hertz lot at Logan! – supplies are limited. It is best to reserve a car at the same time you book your Martha’s Vineyard house rental. Try A-A Island Auto Rental (they have Smart Cars – great for our environment!) or Budget.

BICYCLES. With miles of bike trails and beautiful roads, biking on Martha’s Vineyard is extremely popular – Bring your own or rent bikes on the Vineyard.

BEACH GEAR. Like you need a reminder! Unless your lease states otherwise, you will need: towels, chairs, sandals, boogie boards, umbrellas, coolers, tote bags, frisbees, etc.

I’ll see you soon!

MV Rentals

How Does the Vacation Rental Process Work?

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The process of securing your Martha’s Vineyard vacation rental should be fairly straightforward. Your vacation planning, just like your vacation, should not be stressful.

1. Email or call a vacation rental agent. An agency that specializes in rentals or has a rentals department will likely have the biggest and best rental inventory. During the phone call, your agent will gather all of your basic information:

  • Vacation dates
  • Number of people
  • Number of bedrooms
  • Type of house
  • Ideal location
  • Price range

2. The agent will then search through their listings and send you pictures (via email or mail) of several choices that best match your criteria.

3. You will choose the two or three houses you like the most and your agent should be available to answer any specific questions about the properties.

4. Once you’ve made your decision, the agent will confirm the rental with the owner and create a lease for you to sign.

5. You will send the signed lease and the required deposit back to the agent and your house will be ready for you when you arrive on the Vineyard.

Have a great vacation!