Each month, we visit a new food spot thanks to the folks at Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, an estate & elder planning law firm who wanted to shine a spotlight on local gems. Thanksgiving is coming so we travelled to where it all began to feature a community gathering place like the Plimoth General Store.
Let’s go back. Not as far as 1620, but some time ago. This central spot on Main Street was first a bank, then it was an antique store called the Main Street Exchange. Then a couple of years ago, Main Street Plymouth developer Rick Vayo, who also owns the popular toy store space next door, saw an opportunity: a general store that would give locals a place to gather, where they could shop for “goods and provisions” as well as enjoy coffee, light fare, and good conversation.
So he brought in Tatum Stewart (pictured above on the right), who owned Craft Beer Cellar across the street. She relocated her inventory and directed the customer base to the new Plimoth General Store, of which she is now Food and Beverage Director.
The space is beautiful, with an old school counter from which patrons can sip their coffee or nosh on a sandwich. Order a Sea Salt caramel, and enjoy the Alden (an egg, tomato, feta cheese and pesto breakfast sandwich) or the Bradford (a sausage, egg, and jalapeno cream cheese bagel breakfast sandwich). If you are there for lunch, the bestsellers are the Mayflower turkey melt or the Harvest chicken salad (pictured below). Come December, they will bring back their chicken pot pie stew, for those craving comfort food. There are also a whole host of fresh, baked goods and cookies.
When processed and fast foods seem to be prolific today, Stewart says she wants to provide options for folks with “healthier ingredients.”
The coffee selection is ever-evolving. “The baristas are motivated to experiment with new drink ideas,” says Stewart. And when you are all done, it is a great place to browse for gifts.
So whom might you meet there? “In the mornings we get a lot of people leaving yoga classes. Main Street and waterfront walkers. The work-from-home crowd,” says Stewart. In the early afternoon, they are visited by a host of retirees. They don’t open until 8:30, so they are not set up to get the early birds. That isn’t their crowd, says Stewart.
If you are planning a party, Plimoth General Store can help with charcuterie boards, sandwich platters, and desserts. They do some corporate, but also residential parties. “Friendsgiving is a big thing this time of year,” she explains.
Beyond work and home, “people need a third place,” says Stewart. “For me, it’s more than food and beverages, but if the food happens to be good, great!”
Plimoth General Store, 44 Main St, Plymouth
Photography by Liam Connor Photography.
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We hope you enjoyed this post, which is part of a series of blog posts celebrating local food spots, sponsored by Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes, P.C., the premier estate planning and elder law practice serving clients in Southeastern Massachusetts. Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes can help you prepare the foundational documents needed to facilitate healthcare, financial and legal decisions should a medical crisis occur. Early planning can save money, heartache and angst during a temporary bout of incapacity or a long-term care event. Getting your estate plan in order gives you peace of mind. Find out more about Surprenant, Beneski & Nunes here.
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Last post in the series: Check out Duke’s Bakery & Café, which just happens to be gluten-free! Read more here.