Formerly a feed store, familiar red barn-style building has graced entrance tp Katama since 1958.
Mark Lovewell

Katama General Store Plans Demolition Makeover

<p>The Katama General Store may be headed into its final summer as the familiar red outpost on the road to South Beach. Owners Jackie and Doug Korell hope to replace the 1958 building in the fall.</p>

The Katama General Store may be headed into its final summer as the familiar red outpost on the road to South Beach. Owners Jackie and Doug Korell hope to demolish the 1958 building and replace it with a larger barn-style building in the fall.

“I’ve been dreaming of this for years,” Mrs. Korell said on Tuesday, standing in the dirt parking lot behind the store, near a small trailer that serves as an office, and two walk-in refrigerators. The idea is to reconfigure most of the property, with 25 new parking spots and a larger, two-story building with room for storage, offices an other amenities.

The Martha’s Vineyard Commission will decide Thursday whether to review the project as a development of regional impact (DRI), since it involves a commercial property between 2,000 and 3,000 square feet in size. The Edgartown planning and zoning boards, along with the board of health and selectmen, will also need to sign off on the project.

Plans by Patrick Ahearn show a gable-roofed structure with dormer windows along each side and a wrap-around covered porch. At 2,998 square feet (not including the porch), the new building would be 930 square feet larger than the original, which started out as a laundromat and later became Vineyard Farm and Feed. The Korells rented the property for about a decade before purchasing it three years ago.

Mrs. Korell said vehicles have always been an issue on the property, since not everyone notices the parking lot out back, and the few spots fronting Katama Road can be a safety hazard. The total number of spots would not increase, she said, but under the new plan, customers will no longer park in front of the store. All the new parking spots would run alongside or in back of the building.

The project would also include a denitrifying septic system, and downward-facing lights so as not to disrupt the neighborhood, which is zoned as rural-residential. American Legion Post 186 occupies an abutting lot.

Over the years, the property has seen the addition of a large garden in the back, and two seating areas with crushed shells in the front. The Korells also added the office trailer and walk-in coolers just behind the store. The new building would incorporate both those features under one roof, with storage and office space on the second floor, a large basement, and two walk-ins on the ground floor.

“The idea is to consolidate everything,” Mrs. Korell said, adding that she felt a barn-style building would be appropriate to the rural character of Katama. It was too soon to know all the details, but she believed the new structure may incorporate some of the original building materials, and would likely have a touch of red on the outside as a nod to the past.

The building would also have air conditioning, a feature the store has been without since the beginning.

“If you come in, my staff is smiling, but their faces are pink and they are sweating,” Mrs. Korell said. She added that air conditioning would allow the store to carry more produce from the garden out back.

“It’s essentially going to be the same thing,” she said, noting the usual inventory of candy, toys, pastries, and summertime supplies that line the shelves, as well as prepared foods to take out, suitable for beach picnics. She and Mr. Korell, who also have been in the catering business for many years, planned to maintain ownership of the store, which now has about 12 seasonal employees.

“We hope to be here a good while longer,” she said.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/01/2016 - 06:26

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Slater MV

Great! However it is a shame they couldn't get an architect with vision. "Plans by Patrick Ahearn show a gable-roofed structure..." No? Really? Ugh.

BF

Couldn't agree more!
We are overwhelmed at this point with "Ahearn Built"
He has created the feeling of living in an up scale project settlement!
What happened to character, individualisim, and diversity?!

Jackie and Doug Korell Katama

We are delighted with the building design and site plan that Patrick Ahearn had rendered for us. We wanted a building that would be appropriate for the rural nature of Katama and a site plan that would address concerns about parking and flow. His thoughtful design has given us exactly we desired.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/01/2016 - 08:44

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David Welch Edgartown

Sounds like a wonderful project. Will the plans be made public? I'm all for removing the parking in front. That area is dangerous during the summer months. Also, with that roofline receiving great southern exposure, seems like a perfect opportunity to offset that additional electricity usage with a hefty solar array.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/01/2016 - 19:43

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JA

I am delighted for Jackie and Doug. They have built a great little store. I wish them continued well earned success!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/01/2016 - 20:27

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Oatsie Rogers Provincetown

Wasn't this also Vineyard Farm and Feed back in the 80's owned and operated by Dr Mills son, Donny Bob?

Katama General Store On The Way To And From South Beach

We would really appreciate any history/photographs of the property and building that anyone would like to share with us. We would like to open next year with a collection of artwork, written memories and recorded history of the property. Please feel free to call our office at 508-627-5071 or e-mail us at [email protected]. Thank you!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 06/01/2016 - 21:13

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Tom Engley west tisbury

Doug and Jackie are the real deal two of the hardest workers on the island good for them congratulation

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/02/2016 - 20:46

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Julie Krasnow Edgartown

Please, please not Ahearn. You have such a wonderful opportunity to make the store special and timeless - on my knees.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/02/2016 - 20:55

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Susan Green Edgartown

Great news I love The Katama store!! Good luck with your project!! Ahearn??? Very disappointed with the choice of architect firm.
We need some new vision and ideas in Edgartown..... just look at some of the projects on north water and south water st in Edgartown.
Best of luck!!!! love your ice coffee
Sue

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/02/2016 - 22:08

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Barbara Campbell

I am very excited for Doug and Jackie. They have nurtured their vision for their community store and now it will come to fruition. Edgartown and the rest of the island are very lucky to have you as community leaders and visionaries. Good luck!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 06/02/2016 - 22:51

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Frieda A. Edgartown

Why are downward-facing lights needed? Will the store be open in the evening?

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/03/2016 - 11:24

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Jonathan Simon Edgartown

I like the old store and it's character . I am rather concerned that another Ahearn "big box" style house will change the fabric of our Katama. Good luck !

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/03/2016 - 14:40

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Bill Y Edgartown

Congrats Doug and Jackie. Patrick Ahearn is the best! Without his vision and implied history, some of Edgartown's key buildings would most likely be a hodge podge of structures without a sense of where they belong. Your new building will look like it was always there. Looking forward to the finished barn.

M. Perry TISBURY

Bill,
I agree with you. Mr. Ahearn has created some of our islands' most beautiful landmarks - we could certainly use his help in 5 Corners. It's down-right embarrassing. I look forward to to the Ahearn project and the continued success of a wonderful store operated by such lovely people - shame on you for speaking ill of my friend Patrick! I am nearly 80 years of age and can't wait to step inside this store!!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/03/2016 - 16:25

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Bill Y. Edgartown

Congrats Doug and Jackie! Plans look amazing. Can't wait to see the finished product. Excellent choice with Patrick Ahearn by the way. He is clearly one of the best. Not sure of others' concerns. The plans are hyperlinked in the Gazette article. Your new plan looks perfect for the location, both in style and convenience. We're lucky Patrick chose the Vineyard to work and play.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/03/2016 - 20:28

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Diane S. TISBURY

I adore Patrick and he will only enhance the store and compliment the history and character. My very best to Doug and Jackie!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 06/03/2016 - 22:18

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James Tallon Chappaqua

This is a terrific development for Katama. Ahearn does good work and Jackie and Doug deserve to have their vision realized.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 06/04/2016 - 12:20

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Sheila Katama

Good luck Jackie and Doug!!! A great store.... Much needed out here...
But "Ahearn built" does that mean it will loose its General Store feel???
Don't get me wrong we all love our car ports with a vintage Mercedes Benz under but not for the General Store...

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