One afternoon early this summer, Bear Trap resident Rhoda Ganz and her granddaughter visited the Bear Essentials market, a convenience store across from the Bear Trap Dunes Clubhouse. Her granddaughter stepped up to the deli counter, checked the menu and ordered a turkey-and-cheese sandwich. Much to Ganz’s enjoyment, her granddaughter shared.
Coastal Point • JONATHAN STARKEY:
Cass Rogers, a Bear Essentials retail clerk, prepares a sandwich for a customer.“It was one of the best sandwiches ever,” Ganz said. It was fabulous and not that expensive. The sandwiches are out of this world.”
Despite its “fabulous” sandwiches and its convenience, the Village Square market in Bear Trap (which also offers refreshments, food, newspapers, cards and anything for a one-day beach outing) has remained mostly a secret to people outside of the community. It’s status as a somewhat of a secret, though, has come much to the chagrin of store manager Chris Hitchens.
“A lot of people don’t know we’re here,” Hitchens said. “We’re trying to reach out to the community.”
The Village Square store has been open since Oct. 23, 2005, serving coffee and offering a quick and convenient stop to residents of the community. Coffee is still available, as are gourmet groceries, ice cream and even seafood.
Shrimp, clams and assorted fish are available in-season and crabs are available throughout the summer season on weekends. Wraps, and breakfast and lunch sandwiches are prepared fresh in front of the customer in the store, and with Ganz they have at least one fan from the community.
Amy Pole, a New Jersey native who was in town visiting a relative who owns a home in Bear Trap, visited Bear Essentials for the first time to pick up a drink and a newspaper after the Bear Trap July 4 parade.
“I love this store,” Pole said as she left, promising to return. “This store is the most convenient store ever.”
Pole was just one customer on a record-breaking weekend for the market, Hitchens said. Patrons came and went, preparing for the beach, seeking refreshments after leaving the pool or after Tuesday’s parade.
“It’s been very hectic,” Hitchens said. “It’s been non-stop organized chaos.”
But Hitchens is not complaining. Usually the majority of the customers are golfers, seeking a breakfast sandwich or a coffee to get them ready for the day.
Other regulars just stop by to pick up the Washington Post or the New York Times newspapers to read on the front porch. And some others just pick up a soda on a scorching day.
Few from outside the community come to get a coffee before work, though, or stop to pick up a beach ball, beach towel or pack of cards to play in a neighboring development.
If they did, though, they’d be happy with their find, according to one employee.
“People are amazed when they come in here for the first time,” retail clerk Cass Rogers said of the store, which not only offers food and refreshments but candles, bags and Frisbees for $3.99.
Rogers and Hitchens are convinced that if those outside residents do stop by they will feel the same sense of excitement Ganz exuded Tuesday.
“We were so excited when this store opened,” Ganz said. “And you know the greatest thing about the store: the name.”
That’s beside the sandwiches, of course.
“They’re excellent,” she said.