The Marion Select Board met on Tuesday to hear from various different residents regarding businesses to reopening, businesses looking for a home, and to recognize a previous Chair for their long service.
Chair John Hoagland began by introducing Amy Felder of Felder Farms, the new General Manager of the Marion General Store. Felder explained that her and her husband William were the new operators of the store. Amy said she will be on-site daily with Will coming in occasionally.
She stated the layout and general operation of the store will remain the same, though added a coffee bar will be added that will provide made-to-order espresso beverages. She also highlighted a commitment to operate during the weekend. The store will be open Wednesdays through Sunday with Sunday having alternate hours. She stated the hiring process has recently begun.
She is originally from Chicago, and mentioned she has experience working in food/service having worked in a pub. With no public comments, the Select Board unanimously voted to transfer the liquor license from the current holders of the store to Felder Farms LLC, d/b/a Marion General Store for their operation. It was also granted a license to sell food and operate as a store.
The Wanderer spoke to the Felders in early-June, with Will saying, ““I can’t believe how supportive the community has been and they’re trying to help all they can in the town to get everything together as quick as they can.” The couple have been in close talks with the Cheneys and Jack in particular, who himself ran the store for around half-a-century. “The Chenys have been really, really supportive – He’s just an unbelievable guy. I’ve grown to respect him in a really deep way. He has a lot of great things to say and a lot of great advice.”
The Marion General Store will open on Saturday, August 1.
Next, Norman Hills rose and was recognized by the board for nine years of service to the Select Board. They mentioned this recognition does not include Hills’ numerous other public service positions or extensive dedication to the town. Hills was presented with a plaque by the board’s current members, Chair John Hoagland, Vice Chair Toby Burr, and Randy Parker. Parker noted he and Hills had tougher spent “thousands of hours” together working on the board.
Margie Baldwin, Chair of the Parks and Tree Committee, then spoke on her committee’s recent work with the creation of a new and updated “Marion Homeowner Guide to Trees” book, made to educate groups that do business in town and residents on street trees. She noted the importance of the town’s floral cover and stated the book lists and detailed information regarding street trees suitable to the area.
Next, local business operator Liz Tarrant rose to describe their new business, Runabout Coffee, a mobile coffee brewing stand. Tarrant sought a permanent to semi-permanent location for her stand. She requested a spot on Island Wharf, saying she grew up and currently still lives in town.
Tarrant said the time of business would roughly be 7:00 am to 1:00 pm, though mentioned it would be flexible to see which hours of operations work best, likely being three-to-four days a week. Oh weekends, the stand will likely be taken to events in the local area.
Parker stated he took issue with the potential of another business offering coffee, noting numerous other businesses in town offering the same, though he highlighted the other “brick and mortar” businesses have offered “substantial businesses in town. Hoagland agreed, and Tarrant thanked them for their time and left.
Next, the board quickly approved the change of Directors of the Beverly Yacht Club.
The next meeting of the Marion Select Board is scheduled for Tuesday, July 21 at 6:00 pm in the Marion Police Department.
Marion Select Board
By Sam Bishop