How was commerce on Martha’s Vineyard this summer? If most business owners gave it only a passing grade, those catering to the wealthy had a different take.
How was commerce on Martha’s Vineyard this summer? If most business owners gave it only a passing grade, those catering to the wealthy had a different take.
“The high-end market has been really great,” said Teri Pirozzi, owner of Martha’s Vineyard Tours and Transport, in an assessment echoed by a range of hotel managers, shopkeepers and real estate agents interviewed last week by the Gazette.
While businesses that rely on day trippers and the middle class said sales were down or flat this summer as vacationers grappled with budgets maxed out on the high costs of food and lodging on the Island, those in the luxury markets said they had a banner year.
Visitor numbers were slightly lower than last year.
Visitor numbers were slightly lower than last year.
Carolina Cooney, executive director of the Martha’s Vineyard Chamber of Commerce, confirmed that the number of visitors to the Island was down this summer, but overall sales numbers remained strong thanks to higher price points at upper-end establishments. But this trend is also troubling, she warned.
“This narrows the audience that can actually afford to come here,” Ms. Cooney said.
Rebecca Perrone, manager at Waterside Market in Vineyard Haven, said she observed the growing market disparity firsthand.
Ms. Perrone said that prices have increased in the past year at both Waterside Market and next door at Fish MV, which shares Waterside Market’s owner. But while the price increases have turned customers away at the casual eatery Waterside Market, Ms. Perrone reported that Fish MV, a fine dining restaurant, netted a 50 per cent increase in profits.
Ms. Perrone said that she feels the average customer has been priced out.
“I think people are sick of the price of food,” she said.
Although it was a rainier summer than usual, outdoor activities remained popular, in part because the added costs are minimal.
West Tisbury parks and recreation administrator Peggy Stone said that Lambert’s Cove car sticker numbers were up this season.
Bargains were hard to come by.
Bargains were hard to come by.
“There have obviously been more rainy days this summer, so the beach is sometimes empty. But I’m not seeing any indication that numbers are slowing,” Ms. Stone said.
At the Menemsha harbor up-Island, harbormaster Ryan Rossi agreed that this summer was business as usual, despite an increase in mooring and dock fees.
However, bike rentals, which had soared during Covid, crash landed. Martha’s Vineyard Bike Rentals manager Jason Merrill said that rental numbers have been in gradual decline since Covid but that they took a nosedive this year.
Mr. Merrill said he believes that the high cost of vacationing on the Vineyard is partially to blame, feeling that visitors are foregoing additional expenses because of significant increases for hotel rooms and restaurants.
“Most business owners I’ve talked to say business has been down,” Mr. Merrill said. “My personal opinion is that we’ve reached a point where everything on the Island is very overpriced, and it’s hard for people who aren’t extremely well off to even come here.”
Vacation rentals saw a similar softness this summer, but Anne Mayhew of Sandpiper Realty said the season was strong, regardless, thanks to steady demand for luxury rentals.
“The tenants that are coming in have a little higher demand for quality and service,” she said. “Our rates definitely went up and have made it challenging for anyone who is looking for a rental at a more conservative price point. I don’t know if that will adjust down enough at this point.”
The Harbor View Hotel reported a robust season. General manager Scott Little, said the luxury hotel’s restaurant, Bettini, exceeded last year’s numbers by a wide margin after receiving the Best of Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator.
Mr. Little said that after a slow start in June, business boomed for the rest of the summer.
Audiences continued to flock to Island art scene.
Audiences continued to flock to Island art scene.
“There was a lot of hand-wringing in the media about international travel — whether it would happen — and I think a lot of guests held back on plans for June,” Mr. Little said.
Ms. Pirozzi said that while basic tour numbers were down about 15 per cent, her higher-end transportation service, Resortman, had a “blockbuster season.” Resortman charges up to $500 per ride, whether the journey is 10 feet or 10 miles.
“We’ve had lots of very large weddings, private driving and we do a lot of driving for the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival,” she said.
Larkin Stallings, Oak Bluffs Association board president and owner of The Ritz Cafe, said that while Oak Bluffs business numbers have declined almost universally from those seen during Covid years, they are still up from 2019.
“The general feeling is we’re all going to be okay,” Mr. Stallings said.
He added that because of the year-round local clientele at The Ritz and the summer’s events and festivals, business is steady year-round.
However, Mr. Stallings also pointed to the growing imbalance in who can actually vacation on Martha’s Vineyard, noting that trend is in danger of becoming unsustainable.
“Prices got out of hand for everything from lodging to drinks, and we all need to step back and determine, with the increase in all our expenses from energy to interest rates, what a reasonable price point may be,” Mr. Stallings said. “There’s a balance to be struck so everything can level out.”
Comments
The short term rental tax is
tom BostonThe short term rental tax is not mentioned at all in his article?! This places a significant burden on rentals. The wealthy do not care but everybody else does. There is content talk/griping about how the island has become a destination for only the rich. But taxes like this (not to mention $21 per calendar day for parking) assure the middle class (or even the upper middle) are priced out. It's a mathematical certainty. And the answer to this? I read Aquinnah is actually raised the STR tax and Chilmark is thinking of doing the same.
The island has always been a
Albert GosnoldThe island has always been a destination for the rich.
I am guessing that you are a short term renter.
That you are priced out.
Nope, I am not but I have a
tom BostonNope, I am not but I have a background in economics.
And as far as always being an island for the rich you are somewhat correct. But it has become far worse. Not only for renters (the article states clearly it's the middle classed being squeezed out) but for year rounders who can't find affordable housing.
Number of customers down,
Business101 ChilmarkNumber of customers down, profits up. 50% increase in net. $500 for a ride 10 feet or 10 miles and so on. These businesses should be ashamed of the outright bragging and gouging.
13% rental tax, SSA rate increases, mooring fees increased and so on. Administratively gouging to maintain a lower tax rate with run away spending.
Seems to me it’s time to hold business owners accountable for housing staff and living wages. End the housing bank and tie housing staff to business licenses.
Net profit is up 50% on a lower volume, what word would you use to describe that?
100% agree! To own and run a
Mark VH100% agree! To own and run a business on island that requires even the use of one employee outside of the owners, it should be mandated you have to provide housing our you don’t get a business license.
Totally agree and you as a
LovesOB Oak BluffsTotally agree and you as a taxpayer should provide housing for all municipal employees!
Seriously? Good luck finding
Kate EdgartownSeriously? Good luck finding a plumber, electrician, HVAC person, or landscape co. owner who can meet those demands. It is already tough enough for business owners, this is a ridiculous demand for your average business owner- you do realize most of us are just average family Islanders struggling just like everyone else?
We are becoming more like our
Tom Engley West TisburyWe are becoming more like our neighbor to the south east. Nantucket has alway been much more exclusive. Higher End Martha’s Vineyard is for sale who ends up with more the land bank or the ultra rich.
2% of almost every sale goes to the land bank they have done an amazing job employing people and opening land for all of us to enjoy. Leadership at the land bank has been stellar. But time to let go of some land for housing. All our workers will be coming on the boat. Poor or struggling people aren’t able to come spend money.
Summer was hot people were everywhere but not spending money I guess. Oak Bluffs still has some tourist shops Edgartown not really VH has Mardell’s we are Exclusive
Tom, we've always been 7 to
Disagree Vineyard HavenTom, we've always been 7 to 10 years behind the other island and recently we've closed that gap to about 3 to 5 years lagging. The Land Bank should never deter from their mission to take up the Vineyards cause du jour. The island "leadership" that push the housing bank and the chicken little housing crisis that drones on in the media and coffee shop conversations is just that, a conversation. If you can reach out to donors and raise money and energy levels to retrieve 49 migrants deposited here last year, and have a reunification party then we shouldn't be praising anyone in that leadership group. What happened to staying focused and raising funds for housing of our local existing population, the indigenous people of the island, the housing and food insecure that live here? We really have to get private donations for a 1 year reunion instead of taking care of our neighbors? It's pathetic how we constantly take on a cause to deflect from what's really happening here.
Amen to this. There has been
Susan PennsylvaniaAmen to this. There has been a change.
The luxury visitors are looking less Vineyad, and more Nantucket. $$$$$
When we visit our home on MV
MarieWhen we visit our home on MV we bring as much as possible. We buy good quality meats for grilling. We bring wine by the case. We have price and selection that we can’t get on Martha’s Vineyard. Our car is full every trip.. we.
We don’t go out to dinner as much as we used to because it is so expensive, difficult to get a reservation and park. We usually plan one big family dinner out. There used to be restaurants that were inexpensive and fun for lunch and dinner. They have become “fine dining”. The Newes seems like the same place with higher prices. The Navigator was a great place for lunch with the kids. We went to Papa’s pizza twice a week for lunch.
We bring our own supplies and look forward to great food on our back deck. Dining out is a hassle.
Likewise, we have owned a
Brian OBLikewise, we have owned a seasonal home in OB for 25 years. While we have not begun importing from our regular 3-season home, sticker shock and, frankly, servers who push shamelessly to upsell, together with an apparent lack of any real concern about the customer's experience and value for price, have led me to conclude that this may be necessary next summer. For the year-round businesses that may need to rely on off-season patrons, I fear that islanders won't tolerate the price hikes and traditional year-round pillar businesses will be at high risk of closing. I'm not sure the Newes can survive a winter or two at their new price points.
We have always enjoyed
seasonal resident for 45+ years MVYWe have always enjoyed spending as much time here as possible and purchase goods and services from local merchants.Its always been a 'given' that with a captive market, the vendors and tradespeople were able to extract a 'premium' for average goods and services. Where things have gone in the past few years are the ridiculous 'gouging' by restaurants. Seriously pricing a burger at $32, pasta at $44 or a lobster roll at $38 is a perfect example of why our family rarely dines out here anymore. Anyone looking online at the menus can see for themselves and the average family with children looking for a vacation will likely go elsewhere, and not have to deal with the ferry pricing and inconvenience. This is no longer a place for the average family (unfortunately)
Unfortunate commentary all
AKADENIM Washington,DCUnfortunate commentary all around. What is sad is how little the servers and everyday workers get paid. In many cases they struggle to even find places to live while serving the upper class, elite clientele that descends on the island each summer. Make room for the average family to come and enjoy the beauty of MV. This entire discussion is very disheartening for such a beautiful place that only the elite can enjoy!
100% true - we have been
Nancy H100% true - we have been bringing our kids to MV for 18 years. This past summer was by far the most expensive and most crowded we have ever experienced. The old MV is gone and as usual left for the wealthiest.
Things are not as good as
Albert GosnoldThings are not as good as they were when I came of age.
Cause and effect?
Hindsight wears rose colored glasses?
We have been coming to MV
Lisa LWe have been coming to MV since our honeymoon 30 years ago, and up until the past few years, brought our two daughters as well. It has always been very special to us and we want to continue this tradition, but I must agree that the inflated cost of eating out for a simple meal, as well as other island goods and services, is making these things more and more inaccessible. Not to mention the recently added rental tax. We live in VT, and understand the important part tourism plays in each state’s economy. My heart goes out to those who grew up on-island who provide the services we all depend on, yet they themselves can likely barely afford their living expenses due to the significant rise in prices. We see it in VT, too, along with the lack of affordable housing. One must now wonder; has MV reached a “tipping point?”
No such thing as the “middle
Goodrogering HereNo such thing as the “middle class” it called the working class.
And the wealthy have ALL the money.
This statement gets it right:
Carol New YorkThis statement gets it right: “My personal opinion is that we’ve reached a point where everything on the Island is very overpriced, and it’s hard for people who aren’t extremely well off to even come here.” Although I have visited the Vineyard for my vacation year after year, I am definitely feeling squeezed out by the very high cost of accommodation and food. For me it's time to look at shorter visits or taking that Vineyard vacation less frequently. At least I don't have to spend much beyond food and a bed -- the public beaches are still free. The island during the summer is increasingly becoming more of a playground for the very wealthy while the traces of its casual, down-to-earth spirit are harder to find.
Been coming to the Vineyard
Larry OBBeen coming to the Vineyard since the 70s. This summer walked in to Mad Martha's ready to buy ice cream for 2 families enjoying the day in town. A small cone was $7.50. I get that the season is short and rent is high, but as a bell-weather, a $7.50 ice cream cone tells you something about everything.
A fellow islander was unable
Dana Nunes MVA fellow islander was unable to secure summer housing this year. They instead rented an apartment overlooking a beach in a pretty town in the south of France. Cheaper by far, than the same three months would have been here.
I also can’t believe there
MCT NYCI also can’t believe there was no mention of the short term rental tax. We’ve been visiting the vineyard for 20+ years and rented the same house for past 7 or 8 summers. The weekly rate increased $2,000; along with the new rental tax, the impossible SSA (three years in a row we’ve had to stay in hotels at beginning and end of trip because every Saturday boat was already booked the first day the reservations opened in Jan and waitlists never budged, forcing us to spend thousands more), and the high cost of eating out (who wants to cook EVERY meal on vacation??) makes the vineyard a less and less desirable and more and more out of reach option for our family. And we live in Manhattan so we’re no strangers to high costs! The vineyard will see steady decline in visitors if this continues - if it costs roughly the same or more to vacation on the vineyard than it does in Europe, people will choose Europe!
If you want reservations on
Susie NYCIf you want reservations on Saturdays you have to get up at the crack of dawn the day sales open (in Feb I think). If you do that you will get the days - and probably even the specific times - you want. Is it fun? Heck no, and I wish there were a better way. But every year my family sucks it up, wakes up early, and are able to get the tickets we want.
This was the first year that
Pam CTThis was the first year that even getting up at the crack of dawn didn’t work . Never got off the wait list and system crashed multiple times . Had to go home a day early since never got off the Saturday waitlist.
When we go to NYC for a long
MV John EdgartownWhen we go to NYC for a long weekend we go out to eat at high-end NYC restaurants and think "Boy, these prices aren't too bad!" The prices are actually cheaper (and quality better!) than we're used to here. Crazy.
Issue is we do not do our
skip OBIssue is we do not do our homework - UPS missing its reservations? Does the SSA know how many DISCRETELY different vehicles - or people join us each year? We almost ran out of gasoline right after COVID because no one is counting - or planning. Does it make sense to widen all our streets to accommodate more cars that will create more traffic jams. This is not difficult information - do a Chamber of Commerce deal with an institution like MIT to do some planning for us. If we don't know where we're going any road will get us there...
If I hadn't bought a little
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EdgartownIf I hadn't bought a little place here 40 years ago when I retired,you couldn't pay me to come here now.With all the newbie rich dysfunctinals coming here with their drug addicted kids who drive around drunk and high with no regards for the few nice people here,it's a disgrace. I have old friends from southie who visit with me and they have had run ins with some of these snotty newbies and it didn't turn out well for the newbies. Almost like I never left old so boston. These slobs come here and think they can talk to and treat regular people like dogs,sometimes they just do it to the wrong people. Too bad,but I see it all the time in the bars and especially at the market.I saw this princess and her boyfriend throw a fit at stop and shop cause they didn't have a particular fancy cheese,I thought it was a riot and laughed in their face ,and the poor kid at the deli had to be polite to these dorks. This is what this island is coming to along with the $40 hamburgers
Your comments are violent. I
Another reasonable person islandYour comments are violent. I am a year round island person and would not like to encounter you or your friends anywhere. I might say the wrong thing and you will call me a "slob" and behave belligerently toward me. Perhaps your own words and actions are why people treat you like "dogs?"
Words are not violence.
Cillian Byrne ChilmarkWords are not violence. Violence is physical.
Minimizing the impact of violence by conflating words and physical harm disrespects those who faced true violence for your right to make such mistakes.
We just have to many business
Martha EdgartownWe just have to many business on the island now. There is more for people to choose from. Yes it is expensive here. But people choose to live here and vacation here. Boston rents for 530 sqft next to highway are 3300 per month. Our resources can’t handle much more. Our water table, sewer gets shipped off daily, numerous generators to supply power to island. We are taking away what MV should be
Weird times for sure. Seemed
Amy EdgartownWeird times for sure. Seemed that the short term rental market was flooded - many sitting empty. Our year round family and friend group used to go out to eat at least once or twice a week in the summer, enjoying the seasonal spots just like the tourists, many of us actually work in the industry but not anymore, insane prices now. We went out for dinner 4 times all summer. Thankful for the few year round restaurants that do try to accommodate us in the winter months. These prices aren't sustainable for islanders.
I am currently in Paris on
Paul ChilmarkI am currently in Paris on the Right Bank ( most expensive)…the pricing here is at least 50% LESS than the Vineyard restaurants.
The Vineyard has never been so expensive !
I can eat at Boston’s finest and most expensive restaurants for far LESS than the Vineyard restaurants..
The Vinyard is becoming more like the Hamptons every year .
More and more expensive, pools everywhere and priced only for the well off families.
It is what I am experiencing, having been coming for 50 years and being a homeowner.
I do not see it stopping either .. as a business executive.
It is happening in all of the other desirable locations as well .
It is a universal occurrence.
How do the wealthy recreate
Thomas Delotto NewportHow do the wealthy recreate when they come to MV? What is their spending supporting ? Servers who come in on H2B visas and depart when it slows ? What happens to prop up the local economy when the current big dollar slice gets bored and moves on ? Another group of high enders comes in ? And when they get bored?
Our family has been for the
JoAn Dunn Clay New ZyorkOur family has been for the Vineyard for 75 years but they are now pricing us out. Despite 4 families sharing house cost the new additions this next season scream no more in our beloved MV. Sad as we all work hard for every dime we make while the rich line their pockets for two generation or more after them. We even see this trend in our present location. Some people don’t work period. Very SAD
The best solution for you
Roddy Seasonal VisitorThe best solution for you might be anger (and jealousy) management.
Same is happening on the Cape
MB Cape CodSame is happening on the Cape. My Cape ancestry goes back generations, so where do I live now....not on the Cape because I can't afford it...oh so very sad not just for me but for the many who can also sing this sad song.
You retired 40 years ago.
Albert GosnoldYou retired 40 years ago.
Are you spending your Golden Years endlessly complaining?
Do you remember when America was great, was it when you were a newbie?
This whole thread makes me
Linda NYCThis whole thread makes me sad. We’ve been coming here for 40 years. We love this island, our children learned to swim and sail here, and we have dear friends here. We own a house now (after 25 years or so of renting), so we are not terribly affected by the rental tax, but I don’t like it. I can’t bring myself to buy a $38 lobster roll. I guess I don’t blame them, it’s economics, but I feel like some Islanders view summer people as to be taken advantage of, and it kind of roils me to pay 3x for something. The prices in the grocery store and liquor stores, while higher than in the suburbs, are within reason and lower than in New York City.
I assume the bottom line is housing. If the people who work in the businesses cannot get housing at a reasonable price, the businesses will have no choice but to charge exorbitant prices that will only appeal to people who don’t care about prices. If housing was available for summer workers, workers would flock here – college kids, H1B visa holders, people who follow the sun – and prices would reflect that.
Linda, you said it well. This
Susie City of Brotherly LoveLinda, you said it well. This whole thread makes me sad, too. So many things we have always enjoyed on MV are now too expensive to pursue.
And for two weeks at what is currently considered a moderately priced rental ($5,000 wk), we're paying $1,230 in multiple taxes. Happy to support the island, but that's a lot of lobster rolls we won't have.
I agree with Disagree.
Tom Engley West TisburyI agree with Disagree.
We have been vacationing on
Anthony Hamilton, MAWe have been vacationing on the Vineyard with our family for the past 25 years. It has always been expensive but this year it felt as if things had gone to a different level. I don't mind paying a lot for premium items. For instance the corn at Morning Glory is the best on the planet, so I am happy to over pay for it. But run of the mill items should not be so overpriced. $10 for a dozen eggs? $20 for two ice cream cones? $30 for a take out order of fried scallops? OK, that's not too bad until you open it up and find 6 small scallops. This is a free country so a business can charge what it wants, but we will probably look elsewhere due to the significant price increases. I love the beauty of the Vineyard. It is a special place for our family. But it is difficult to justify the cost at this point.
There is a particular dish I
Martin Across the pondThere is a particular dish I get every visit. The first week we arrived my friend said, “your spaghetti is $29 this year.” A couple days later it was $30.
I may still eat it next year when it’s $57.
New York Times had an
Marty MVNew York Times had an interesting article about what happens to an area when corporations buy up the single family homes. Some solutions put forth for the are highlighted were to cap rentals and/or require homeowners to live in the house for a year before renting it. Food for thought, the towns’ selectpersons and homeowners associations have the power. Voters need to get them to use this power. Good luck
The NYT article is likely
Mark EdgartownThe NYT article is likely referring to large PE companies buying properties for their SFR businesses. Don’t think Blackstone is buying on island, but happy to be proven wrong.
To @Albert from Gosnold; I
Charlie Callahan So Boston/EDgartownTo @Albert from Gosnold; I was never a NEWBIE I worked hard for everything I have and I didn't sit in an office,and I speak about what I see going on.
My family has vacationed on
Brad ConnecticutMy family has vacationed on MV for nearly my entire life (over 50 years now). We have always loved the natural beauty of the island. It is astounding and what keeps us returning. The cost of a short term rental has become astronomical for middle class individuals and is no longer readily attainable. Compounded with the increased dining costs, I think it leaves a summer vacation here out of reach for people who would otherwise choose to vacation on the Vineyard. Historically, middle class families knew that the wealthy, celebrated and famed were an influence on the economics of the island but the island felt welcoming to persons of moderate incomes as well. It has lost that feeling. I'm grateful I was able to visit this year with my family but I know that ability may end if such trends continue. I hope the preservation of the island's lands and natural resources will not be pitted against affordable housing needs. I think it is a false choice. Towns should adopt affordable housing ordinances and mandates that are enforced and complied with. The wealthiest of the world do not have an exclusive right to or monopoly on appreciation for the natural heritage and beauty of Martha's Vineyard.
Owned a home on MV for 30
Jersey GirlOwned a home on MV for 30 years. It has become very expensive. We have learned the joy of cooking great meals at home. Even updated my kitchen appliances. I Buy gourmet before leaving NJ. Solved the dinner out problem.
It is still hard to park at the beaches. Beach days have a morning rush. Wish this could be easily fixed
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