Bob’s Village Market Open in Bridgehampton

by Victoria L. Cooper

Some say that it’s becoming increasingly difficult to retain the small-town feeling here on the East End, especially with large, national companies buying more and more storefront properties. Yet along Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton, one such place still remains true to the nature of the Island. Bob’s Village Market is located right next door to us here at Dan’s Papers, and the long journey that storeowners Bob and Barbara Baugh and their daughter, Beth Ann Terando, have taken is a story not to be missed.

Originally coming from Oregon, Bob and Barbara Baugh have always had a passion for the food business. Before purchasing the Village Market, they were the proprietors at the Sagg Store in Sagaponack for eleven years. After leaving the Sagg Store, Barbara remarked that her husband was “unemployable, so he bought his own job.” In October of 2006, they took over the store formerly known as the Bridgehampton Country Market.

Bob wanted to offer his customers more than just a deli, and one of his dreams has always been to run a local grocery store. In a sense, the Sagg Store was the perfect stepping stone, giving the Baughs experience and time to build a good customer base. Their Sagg Store customers are loyal, and come to their Bridgehampton location via the back road entrance, happy that they still do not have to cross Montauk Highway for a gallon of milk. Although Bob’s Village Market is much larger than the Sagg Store (about five times larger) they have already made many new plans and goals for their market and their customers.

So far, the Baughs have added an office, updated the lighting, enlarged the coffee area and painted the interior walls. They have also added additional shelving. In the spring, they plan to triple the size of the kitchen and build a larger meat room. They hope to build a service counter where people can order meat from an on-staff butcher. While at the Sagg Store, some of their hottest items came from their bakery, where Barbara and Beth Ann baked nearly 90% of the cakes, cookies and muffins they sold. In the early summer, the Baughs plan to do the same, and have a bakery up and running at Bob’s Village Market.

Beth Ann remarked that, “it is nice to have a small place to shop where people know you by your first name.” She not only bakes but has also developed her own line of homemade chicken potpies called “Red Hen.” She sells them at the store and the Amagansett Farmer’s Market, Hampton Market in East Hampton and Schmidt’s in Southampton. I had the opportunity to try a Red Hen chicken potpie and was surprised and delighted by its fresh and distinctive taste.

It has been a challenge to transition to the bigger store, especially since many of the transactions and orders in the Bridgehampton market are computerized and most orders at the Sagg Store were placed with only a simple phone call. Bob’s Village Market’s hours have expanded and they are doing better than ever. They are open from 6 a.m.-7 p.m., seven days a week, and plan to stay open until 10 p.m. during the busy season. Bob refers to his market as “the little store that could.” What has made their transition easier is that many of the employees from the Bridgehampton Country Market stayed with Bob and did not need to be trained.

Some other perks that Bob’s Village Market offers its customers are homemade gift baskets, party platters, large heroes and even fresh flowers. They are increasing their line of organic, low fat and low sodium products to give their patrons more choices to eat healthily. Bob and his family envision the market functioning as a local, low-key store where shoppers feel comfortable. So if you still believe in the spirit of small-town local business in the Hamptons, stop in at Bob’s Village Market where it’s alive and thriving.

Bob’s Village Market is located at 2209 Montauk Highway in Bridgehampton. For more information or to place catering orders, call (631) 537-6036.