Reinventing the General Store

By Jen Smith
October 24, 2011

Barn

New owners of Fork & Anchor Lucy Muellner (l) and Erin Fitzpatrick (r)

Fork & Anchor These days, everything old is new again, from the old-fashioned-barbershop-turned-hip-hair-salon to the traditional-tailor-cum-sartorial specialist. So it's no surprise that someone would reinvent the general store. Leave it to former roommates Erin Fitzpatrick and Lucy Muellner, a wine/hospitality specialist and fashion stylist, respectively, to do so, and splendidly at that.

Fitzpatrick, co-host of weekly wine show “Unfiltered” on the Heritage Radio Network and owner of her own restaurant and event consulting company, Esse Consulting, has been involved in the opening of several wildly popular establishments. Most recently, she served as sommelier at Manhattan’s buzzy Waverly Inn. Muellner, a former fashion stylist, is a recent graduate from The French Culinary Institute with a passion for food and travel.

Erin Fitzpatrick

Fitzpatrick with a basket full of Pinot Noir grapes in Epernay, Champagne; Harvesting vines, during the 2011 Champagne vintage

At the urging of friends and loved ones, the duo decided to depart from their big city jobs and open a dream business revolving around food. In East Marion, a growing community of farmers, winemakers and weekenders on the North Fork of Long Island, they stumbled upon a general store that was originally built in the 1860s, "complete with wood burning fireplaces and dogs lying around," says Muellner, who has seen photographs. Since the 1970s, it had been operating as a deli and convenience store. But Fitzpatrick and Muellner were attracted to its "rich history" and beautiful location.

Kitchen

The general store, now known as Fork & Anchor, when Fitzpatrick and Muellner took it over a few months ago

Kitchen

The interior of the pre-existing space

Fork & Anchor

The original general store, built in the 1860s

They purchased it in September, rechristened it Fork & Anchor, and have been evolving it ever since. They are developing a merchandise selection that includes prepared foods, sundries and a selection of homemade products (like smoked bluefish pate, walnut-marjoram spread and arugula-pesto basil), many of which have their origins in New York state. Their specialty will be gourmet picnic boxes for two to four people. "We do a killer layered salad which we pack in mason jars," says Muellner. They're also working with the local Greenport brewing company to build a growler keg station where customers can come to fill up.

But the two aren't content to simply operate a storefront. “We love being in the midst of the local farmers and growers,” says Muellner. Recently, the partners approached the internet fundraising platform Kickstarter with their dream of rebuilding the barn on their property so they host community events as well as a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). They raised over $10,000.

Banana Pudding

Fork & Anchor Banana Pudding

Once the renovations are complete, they plan to expand their services even further. They'll do small catering events and create their own food line of gourmet pantry items (jams, smoked fish pates, salad dressings and spreads) made from local farms. They'll also sell "bouquets we make from wildflowers picked within a five-mile radius, cream-lined milk in glass bottles from the dairy farm at the end of the road" and espadrilles, totes and other "globally sourced utility items like Chateau Laguiole corkscrews and steak knives" says Muellner.

Barn

The barn near the store, which Fitzpatrick and Muellner plan to turn into a CSA

In the meantime, they've been ingratiating themselves into the community and shopping on eBay for tools of the trade. “Since we don’t have time to run around and source, eBay is now our own personal flea market!” says Fitzpatrick. eBay is perfect for adding that vintage spin—hunting down treasures continues to fuel our imaginations. We can buy things like old juicers and ice crushers in multiples, at fantastic prices, which helps us get the look we want as well as stay on track with our budgets,” she continues.

“Plus we can even find new items, like our kegerator, which is on the way now,” adds Muellner. They're currently on the hunt for old school soda fountain and traditional penny candy globes.

The Fork & Anchor Owners' eBay Wish List

Vintage General Electric Kitchen Clock

“Our new store is without a clock and opens at 5:30am. Somehow we have to keep track of how many hours are left in the day until cocktail hour!”
Vintage Swing-a-way Table Top Ice Crusher

Fitzpatrick explains her desire for a tabletop ice crusher. “It’s an essential item for a classic raspberry-lime rickey! Fingers crossed our soda fountain station will arrive shortly. We want to set it up just next to the kegerator, so customers can fill up their growlers with local Greenport beer.”
French Handwoven Linen Fabric

What a great idea: the ladies intend to cut to size these linens for their customers' needs.
Antique Bally Block Butcher Cutting Table

“They don't make 'em like this anymore...visions of Julia Child chopping vegetables are a continued inspiration!” says Muellner.
1966 Ford Bronco

Muellner and Fitzpatrick plan to load the back of this Bronco with fresh veggies, Long Island potatoes and cases of North Fork wine.
Vintage Northwestern Glass Gumball Machine

The proprietors have their hearts bent on including a few throw-backs to the traditional general store concept. “A coin for a handful of candy isn't a bad deal! “ laughs Muellner.
Solex Antique 1971

Muellner’s dad used to pick her up from school on one of these mopeds. Both Muellner and Fitzpatrick consider it a stylish and nostalgic way to visit local farmstands.
Rhodia Orange Webnotebook

The two have a stash of Rhodia notebooks on hand for the tons of ideas they want to document.
Vintage Hamilton Beach Milk Shake Maker

“We love a good malted milkshake!” the girls tell us. They are dreaming up some fun seasonal flavors.
John Deer 300 Riding Mower Garden Tractor

“We need something to groom that 20x20 foot lot!” says Muellner of the space where their store lies.
Vintage Redmon Brown White & Tan Picnic Basket

This basket is an inspiration piece for the Fork & Anchor line of picnic boxes, which is already in the works.
Vintage Juice, King Juicer Model

“We love fresh juice, and the likes of this harken back to the European cafe style, which serves up the perfectly pressed glass of OJ.”
Kegerator Haier Dual Faucet Keg Beer Cooler

To answer to the growing demand for growlers of beer, this cooler is the right size for the Fork & Anchor counter.