The family-owned office and art supply store that has been an anchor business at the head of Main street Vineyard Haven for the past four decades will permanently close its retail store.
Edu Comp, the family-owned office and art supply store that has been an anchor business at the head of Main street Vineyard Haven for the past four decades, will permanently close its retail store, the owners announced Monday.
Store opened in 1981 under ownership of Dorothy Gregory and the late Pat Gregory.
Store opened in 1981 under ownership of Dorothy Gregory and the late Pat Gregory.
“After long consideration and with a heavy heart, the time is coming soon for us to permanently close the doors of our . . . retail store,” owners Dorothy Gregory, her daughter Shannon and son in law Dan Carbon wrote in an email that went out to customers Monday.
“After decades of being here for you, due to the combination of sales lost to the internet and the coronavirus pandemic, sadly it is no longer possible for us to stay in business and serve this community that we love.”
Edu Comp will continue to operate its technical department which includes computer sales and support for clients, the email said. But there will be no retail store and no walk-in service for computer customers.
In an email to the Gazette Tuesday, Dorothy Gregory said a final date for closing has not been decided yet, and that a going-out-of-business sale will begin Oct. 1. In a follow-up call, Ms. Gregory corrected herself, saying that owners had not yet set a date for the sale.
The Edu Comp building, an iconic, two-story brick building that is also owned by Ms. Gregory and the Carbons, will be placed on the market, she also said.
Edu Comp was founded by Dorothy Gregory’s late husband Pat Gregory in 1980. Mr. Gregory, a well-loved Island businessman and former West Tisbury town moderator, died while hiking in northern California in 2014, the victim of a homicide in a case that has never been solved.
In 2015 Dorothy Gregory and Shannon and Dan Carbon bought the building, which had been placed on the market. The purchase price was $1.4 million.
In 1995, the building had a cameo role in the remake of the movie Sabrina, which was filmed on the Island and starred Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond. The building got a Hollywood-style makeover to make it look dilapidated.
In her email Tuesday, Dorothy Gregory described the origins of the business begun by her late husband while he was working as a teacher in the West Tisbury School.
“It was a simple consulting business back then that he did after school and weekends,” she wrote. “For a couple years he helped people set up bookkeeping systems and databases from scratch. He taught BASIC, a computer language that at the time was believed you had to know in order in operate a computer. It’s kind of humorous to think about that now.”
The fledgling business grew to include board games and computers and along the way the Gregorys rented a few spaces, first in Oak Bluffs, then in Vineyard Haven. Around 1983 Pat Gregory left his teaching job to run the business full time. “As probably with most startup businesses, we never knew from week to week whether there would be enough left over after expenses for payroll,” Ms. Gregory wrote.
In 1986, when the former Community Services building (also known at the time as the Tarlow building) came on the market, the Gregorys joined six other people to buy it; Edu Comp became the anchor tenant and has been in the same space ever since.
Selling office and art supplies for the past 40 years.
Selling office and art supplies for the past 40 years.
Ms. Gregory said her husband’s sudden death in 2014 was a hard blow, and she thanked her son in law Dan Carbon for stepping in to carry on the business during an extremely difficult time.
“I don’t know what I would have done without him,” she wrote.
She also warmly praised and named the many loyal Edu Comp employees, whom she said “. . . have always been our backbone,” including Brad Mendenhall, who has worked at the store for 29 years.
“Our decision to close our store was not easy to make,” Ms. Gregory wrote. “Whenever a ‘real’ store closes, there is bound to be an impact on the community. Our sales have been steadily decreasing for years now due to online competition. Then along came Covid. We were closed for two months and then opened only curbside as we felt I was a safer working environment for our employees. We were very grateful to receive the government PPP and EIDL assistance. I also want a simpler life.” She concluded, in part:
“Pat and I so enjoyed running Educomp together . . . It was like our third child . . . Many, many hours were spent envisioning how we wanted Educomp to be and we were very proud of what we had created together.”
In their email to customers Monday, the three owners wrote:
“Our sincerest appreciation to you for your years of patronage and support. We will miss seeing your familiar faces and helping you with your office and art needs. It has been our pleasure to assist you and welcome you into our store,” the three owners wrote in the email to customers Monday.
Comments
You will be missed.
Carole Early VHYou will be missed.
What a magical store. The
Elaine Shannon ChilmarkWhat a magical store. The smell of chalk and paint and fresh sketch pads. Amazon can't give anybody that kind of joy. I'll remember you.
If I need a surge protector
IslanderIf I need a surge protector or USB cable for my computer, where can I go on island?
Phillip's Hardware or Granite
RC DCPhillip's Hardware or Granite's would be a couple choices.
Darosa's in OB?
Jane Norton ChilmarkDarosa's in OB?
THANK YOU FOR BEING. GOD
GODSPAL MVTHANK YOU FOR BEING. GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Every annual summer trip
Susan McConnell ChicagoEvery annual summer trip included a trip to your store for unique art supplies to keep us busy on rainy days. Thank you for the beautiful memories.
Not only using a copy machine
Valerie Sonnenthal ChilmarkNot only using a copy machine, knowing I could find inspiration anytime I needed It besides feeling like Europe with a basic mix of stationary/office supplies and art supplies plus a wonderful staff! You will be missed!!
Such a nice store. I have
Jennifer Garfield W. Tisbury & PhiladelphiaSuch a nice store. I have enjoyed shopping for stationery and art supplies there. Thank you for staying open as long as you have, and best of luck going forward.
Our family always chose to
Pam Coblyn Oak BluffsOur family always chose to get our supplies from Educomp. It was a matter of Vineyard Pride. The inventory was always the highest quality and you treated customers like VIP’s—even if it was for a simple Sharpie purchase. The Educomp shopping experience simply can’t be duplicated with internet shopping. Thanks for the years of dedication!
A marker in time. The Gregory
Elliot Kronstein West TisburyA marker in time. The Gregory family has represented kindness and service to the island. The store will be missed.
Thank you so much for being
Angela Andersen WEST TISBURYThank you so much for being there for us all these years. My daughter and I loved your store!
Great store great people!!!
Jack EdgartownGreat store great people!!! Lets now open all the stores and restaurants Governor Baker PLEASE!!! you are killing Main St Massachusetts ...
I was building my first pc
JESSE VINEYARD HAVENI was building my first pc and Dan let me borrow a cd-drive overnight, for free.
everytime a store like this closes the island loses some of it's charm.
So sorry to read this. I hope
Paul Miller Vineyard HavenSo sorry to read this. I hope this wonderful store can reopen in the future.
That building brings back old
Robert "bubba" RudolphThat building brings back old memories of when it was the Island Youth Center, we used to have great basketball competition at the boys and girls club of Edgartown, Peter Mercier would be putting up 3's and I would be grabbing all the rebounds, we never beat those Youth Center kids, but it was fun, great memories..
So sorry to see you go, and
Vasha Brunelle Vineyard HavenSo sorry to see you go, and thanks for all the years that you have been here for the community.
This has been a wonderful
Judith Spruance DelawareThis has been a wonderful store. So helpful with computer problems, so fun and inspiring with all the art supplies. To have it no longer there is a real loss to the soul and character of Vineyard Haven. Thanks to the owners and best wishes to them.
Very sorry to them close.
Bill Y EdgartownVery sorry to them close.
Your store has given me so
Grace Kennan Warnecke Vineyard HavenYour store has given me so much pleasure over the 17 years I have lived here. I have bragged about it to all my guests and will really mourn the fact that you are closed. Edu Comp was a
very special place and filled the needs of many people, especially writers like me.
The politicians and supposed
AnmeThe politicians and supposed experts, who by the way collect a paycheck on a regular basis, are choking the lifeblood out of businesses. OPEN UP!!!!!!!!
If you are at risk, don’t go out or wear a mask, period!
Amazon was choking the life
Susanna J. Sturgis West TisburyAmazon was choking the life out of small businesses long before Covid-19 showed up. Maybe you could direct some of your bile in that direction?
The idea of art supplies AND
Holly Gleason Nashville/Vineyard HavenThe idea of art supplies AND computer support made technology so much less intimidating. The staff was always so helpful, willing to share what was new and just happy to see you.
When Edible Vineyard was based out of the building, so many happy moments were spent sneaking downstairs to look at stationery, markers, or even Xerox. And that diversity in commerce, integrated by people who know and can help you understand whatever you don't? That's what makes small businesses so critical and reflecting who we are as people.
This is sad, heartbreaking even. I only hope whatever's ahead brings Mrs. Gregory, her daughter and son-in-law some measure of the joy they've provided me across several years.
We'll miss your store and the
Jill Goodman ChilmarkWe'll miss your store and the wonderful people who have worked there. Thank you for your services.
My kids used to hang out at
Paul Daniele Sarasota/EdgartownMy kids used to hang out at the youth center, hopefully it will be put to good use by the next owners.
EduComp has been a rock (a
Ginny wtEduComp has been a rock (a good rock) for many, many years. However, with the Vineyard crowded, growing exponentially and traffic worse and worse every year, enticing folks to drive in long traffic jams during the to shop in Vineyard Haven has been difficult. I loved the store and the staff, also the cheerful, polite and helpful attitudes. Rather than lack of had a dedicated parking lot but it filled early and stayed crowded until the shop closed late in the day and parking was often a problem.
Thanks for years of lovely merchandise, hours of assistance, for always being there to help and for being such an important part of the community. We will miss you!
I bought many beautiful paint
Paulette Hayes AustraliaI bought many beautiful paint brushes from you when I lived there and I think of Edu Comp and MV whenever I get them out to paint. Thanks for being a brilliant store - you will be missed.
That old building brings back
Allouise Morgan EdgartownThat old building brings back fond memories.
I worked in that building as a Customer Service Rep when it housed the New England Tel & Tel Company.
A lot of island families counted on Ma Bell.
Some of those working downstairs that I was fortunate to work alongside were Harold Morris, Eleanor Amaral, Ida Soares, Betty Morris, Bernice Lopes, Helen Burt, Carolyn Correllus, Bob Chapman, George Rice, Red Dolby, Howard Andrews, Ken Hearn and Betty Puwal.
All good people, and a wonderful work experience.
I will miss browsing for art
Margaret Emerson ChilmarkI will miss browsing for art papers and chatting with the wonderful staff! Thank you for many wonderful years!
Such a loss! Will really miss
Sally Pierce Vineyard HavenSuch a loss! Will really miss your store. Would much prefer to buy local than to order online.
Will miss you very much.
Deb Hart Oak BluffsWill miss you very much. Always helpful, never a hassle. Came in often over the last 24 years. Thank you and good luck.
I have so many fond memories
Jack H. New Haven, CTI have so many fond memories of EduComp! In the 80's, learning a bit of programming from Pat at the old location on Main Street (and buying Zork there). More recently enjoying the blend of art and tech supplies all under one roof. Thank you to the Gregory family!
Dorothy and Pat Gregory will
martha edgartownDorothy and Pat Gregory will always be two of the most wonderful people I've ever known in my long life here MV. Always kind and sincere and for that we are all so grateful and blessed for knowing you. Much love to the entire EduComp family.
Quality at your finger tips.
gail tipton west tisburyQuality at your finger tips. Beautiful and practical art supplies and computer aupplies too
with the kindest advice. Loved being in your space: airy, light, full of color and tempting
everything. It was my favorite place and I knew I could count on finding what I needed and touch
and compare.Big loss to all of us.Blessings to the family and thank you for your generous years.
Sad news but wishing Dorothy
Robert Skydell Granada, NicaraguaSad news but wishing Dorothy and Family all the best in the next chapter of your lives. You were such a wonderful addition to Vineyard life. Missing you!
I will miss Educomp so much.
Ginny Carbon EdgartownI will miss Educomp so much. I worked there many years ago, I fell in love with the Gregorys and wonderful customers. No better people to work for. My son Dan now helps to run the business. This virus has effected so many people. And mail shopping as effected the Mum and Pop stores,
So I will say Goodbye to a great part of Martha’s Vineyard, with a heavy heart, but lovely memories. Thank you.. Dorothy, Shannon, and Danny.
The value of the real estate
JAH GosnoldThe value of the real estate no longer supports a low volume, low markup, business plan.
It is my guess is that the Gregorys will net more from rental income than have been doing with EduComp. This closing is not about Covid-19 restrictions. It is all about the change in marketing channels for consumer technology. Not to mention the price of Island real estate.
EduComp could just not compete with Amazon, Ebay, UPS, FedEx and the Post Office.
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