The Springs General Store under the 17-year ownership of Kristi Hood no longer exists. It now joins the growing list of epic popular establishments that have ended in the last 16 months on the east end. Places like World Pie, Babette’s, Boardy Barn, La Superica and The Bay Burger, to name a few. Under Ms. Hood the Springs General Store had a vibe of community, love, coziness and most of all really good healthy food.
Ms. Hood eventually hung up on the front door a sign proclaiming, “Dear customers after17 years of laughter, joy, and tears and many egg sandwiches we will be moving on. We will be transforming our business to new owners at the end of the summer.” She was ready for some new adventures after raising her children in the Springs. Years back she would proudly talk about the fact that her kids learned about The Springs General Store in their history class at school.
Even though Ms. Hood was born in California, she was pure “Springs.” Everyone knew her, bantered with her, confided in her. She always flashed her wonderful smile. An amazing feat, especially at the end of a long day of baking, cooking, and managing the business. She was tired and is welcoming this next chapter of her life where she will have the time to do what being the proprietor Springs General Store denied her all these years.
To sit on the front porch of The Springs General Store was to participate in a 180-year-old tradition of observing. So many over the last two decades have sipped a coffee or cold soft drink while snacking on something from the store like the freshly baked cookies, cupcakes or perhaps a sandwich. A popular choice was the hot turkey meatloaf on multi-grain bread with lettuce, ketchup and mayo.
Running into neighbors on that porch or in the store had a casual flair that is the essence of country living. Back in the late 1950s even Marilyn Monroe and Arthur Miller hung out on that porch. Perhaps they read The East Hampton Star or the other newspapers sold at the store. They would arrive in their Jaguar convertible sometimes with their basset hound “Hugo.”
Back then in the interior of the store an original Jackson Pollack painting hung on the wall. It was payment that Pollack paid the Millers in lieu of money he didn’t have. Kristi Hood, aware of the store’s history, kept a photo of that painting on the wall somewhere in the fresh coffee section.
For the last decade or so musicians such as guitarist Michael Pour would meet and play music on that porch. Those gatherings exemplified the sense of community that existed at the store. Then there was the after-school rush of kids who would show up after the Springs School that is just up the road would let out. The young students would meticulously choose their favorite snacks, no doubt after spending their last hour of school thinking about what they might munch on!
There was a vibrant kayak rental business in the back of the store that many summer folks or weekend visitors participated in for exploring Accabonac Harbor or East Harbor, or a visit to Wood Tick Island.
The sad part for many folks is that when a business like Springs General Store changes hands, a big part of their life routines and habits has to change too. They knew the staff, the chefs, the menus and their favorite choices at each establishment. Then boom, they are gone, usually without a farewell party or wake. It is understood that business owners have lives and freedom of choice to stop or sell or cash in. The east end is forever changing. Within the changes are opportunities and also loss.
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