A downtown Edgartown staple for nearly half a century, the menswear store Sundog has closed. But the shop’s wares won’t go down with its storefront.
A downtown Edgartown staple for nearly half a century, the menswear store Sundog has closed. But the shop’s wares won’t go down with its storefront, thanks to a donation of the entire inventory to a nonprofit startup thrift store in Vineyard Haven.
All the Sundog inventory was donated to Act Two, a new thrift store on Main street Vineyard Haven. Business was brisk at the store Monday.
All the Sundog inventory was donated to Act Two, a new thrift store on Main street Vineyard Haven. Business was brisk at the store Monday.
Originating in Cambridge in 1970, Sundog moved to Martha’s Vineyard in 1976 and operated at 41 Main Street for 36 years, owner Frank Folts told the Gazette by phone Monday.
The business hopped around Edgartown in its first years on the Island, existing at times where familiar businesses such as the Wharf Pub and Black Dog are now located, before settling at 41 Main Street. For most of Mr. Folts’s time there, the building was owned by Larry Levine, an Island businessman.
“The best landlord I ever had,” Mr. Folts said.
Despite problems with the building that occasionally interrupted business, Mr. Folts said Mr. Levine was a good friend to him and to Sundog.
Mr. Levine died in 2018 and his daughter Sarah Levine inherited the building. This year Mr. Folts said he learned that he had lost his decades-long lease at the property, forcing him to close the business.
“We’ve pondered what to do,” he said. “This has been my life.”
With a background in advertising, Mr. Folts ran a series of eye-catching ads in the Gazette over the years, including the well-known Sundog countdown to spring that began every winter.
He spoke about the changing nature of Main street over time, with the arrival of more franchised stores and fewer sole proprietor establishments.
“The commercialization of the Island has been rather intense,” Mr. Folts said, adding that he was unsure whether there was still time to reverse the trend.
Empty shelves inside the old Sundog store.
Empty shelves inside the old Sundog store.
“I think it’s unfortunate what has happened,” he said.
Mr. Folts had famously resisted holding sales at Sundog for years.
But in a letter sent to the Gazette, he wrote that the business had planned to belatedly commemorate Sundog’s 50th anniversary with a sale. First the sale was delayed in 2020 and 2021 by the pandemic. Then came the lost lease, he wrote.
In the wake of the Sundog closure, Mr. Folts has donated all the store’s inventory — including its familiar decorations and window dressings — to Act Two Secondhand Store, a startup nonprofit thrift shop on Main street Vineyard Haven.
The donation is a tribute to the late Vineyard scrimshaw artists Don MacDonald and Tom DeMont, Mr. Folts wrote, adding that he hoped it would help the Island and also jump start Act Two’s mission to benefit arts and education on the Island. Founded by Alissa Keenan and Kevin Ryan, the store was doing a brisk business Monday afternoon. In his letter Mr. Folts said it will satisfy a need once met by the Boys and Girls Club Second Hand Store, previously located in Edgartown.
“It was a substantial monetary gift for all intents and purposes,” he told the Gazette, speaking about the donation.
But he said Sundog’s story may not end here.
“I’m still considering relocating,” he said. Describing himself as a patient man, he said he will wait to see which way the wind blows.
“It takes a lot of energy,” he said, speaking about owning a business. “I am 88 years old — and full of fire and vinegar, of course.”
Comments
Is there any way to save Sun
Jonathan Chappy and GreenwichIs there any way to save Sun Dog? if the owner is willing? Could not be done without his sensibilities and knowledge. I will work there 20 hours a week for free till things get settled.
Every Good Dog Knows For Whom
Calvin AustinEvery Good Dog Knows For Whom The Bell Tolls - 2002
Every Good Dog Know It’s Not Whsy Ypu Say But How You Say It - 2018
Here’s to hoping for a new beginning and a relocation
Thank You for the Wonderful Place !
Thank you for providing
Anne Verret-Speck AMESBURYThank you for providing quality products all these years. This is the only shop in Edgartown that we actually have visited every year. Service was always so personal and helpful!
Four years after Beverly and
Jane Chittick Amelia Island, FLFour years after Beverly and Frank opened Sun Dog, the Selectmen appointed Peter Bettencourt (Town Manager) and me (founding Executive Director of the Preservation Trust) tone Co-Managers of the National Trust for Historic Preservation new initiative “National Main Street Center Program”, an effort to reverse the shopping mall trend and bring back vitality to Main Streets everywhere. Frank embraced this idea wholeheartedly . But, the Triangle was established, Lauren Fisher moved Edgartown Hardware out of downtown, as did the Police Station, etc. As Frank said to the Gazette about downtown’s commercialization, he doubted if this trend could be reversed. Unfortunately, he’s right. Trends like this are why after 42 years I left the island. But the good news is: Amelia Island’s town (Fernandina) is a thriving community of independent stores, the arts and small fantastic restaurants AND is a named “National Main Street Center” by the National Trust! So there still are places today like we used to once be. Frank: come on down! We’d love to have you and all your energy and uniqueness and love for your community.
I will come out of retirement
Kathryn Muir EdgartownI will come out of retirement and work for free for 6 months when you reopen. I have extensive experience in mens wear, display and retail and I am hard working, only slightly crazy and will have references. Keep me posted . [email protected].
Sad to learn this news. I
Philip Hart Los AngelesSad to learn this news. I have shopped at Sun Dog for 40 years. Sun Dog blazers, belts, socks, etc., all over my house.
Another part of an ongoing
Mike ChappyAnother part of an ongoing sad commentary. It was so comforting to walk down Main Street knowing that a best friend was always there. Sundog is and always will be the best friend. My family forced me to buy my clothes there and I never resisted. Let's all hope Sundog rises again. I will join the gang that works for free.
Gosh. Astonishing. I've
Geoff NYCGosh. Astonishing. I've been a seasonal customer of Sundog since the 80s. I still have clothes -- shirts, in particular -- from back then. They are classics and have stood the test of time admirably. I also have a knife, a cool hat, an awesome jacket, and several pairs of shorts. Funny story: my wife and I went to the Vineyard for a wedding in mid-September about 20 years ago. It was a once-in-a-lifetime weekend of incredible weather and a memorable wedding. When we got there and starting unpacking, I realized I forgot to pack any underwear. So, off to Sundog I go and I explained my problem to the sales associate. He pointed me to tubes of bikini underwear which, frankly, wasn't exactly my go-to style but colorful bikini briefs were the only option so I bought them. Well I was hooked and I've been wearing Sundog duds -- including bikini underwear -- for a long, long time. I'm going to miss the great music, the friendly vibe, the classic clothes, and the general sense of familiarity. Well done Mr. Folts and crew.
Part of the fabric of Spring.
Bill Croke Vero Beach, FLPart of the fabric of Spring...the sun always rises. Sundog was the reason we always waited 'til we got to the Vineyard to shop,to find "stuff you couldn't find anywhere else" at the Sundog in Edgartown. From one mad-
man to another -Godspeed!
I worked on Story St., a
Victor ChappyI worked on Story St., a short walk from Sundog in ‘71 then on Chappy in 2000 where Sundog is a short walk from the ferry. If My fate is to follow Sundog around, I hope this closure isn’t the end of the story … for both our sakes.
Spent many Summer evenings
M. NoekerSpent many Summer evenings working at Sundog. Frank taught us so much. He is always such a class act. I always looked forward to seeing him when I stopped in the shop. Great store.
I was the first dog hired for
Steve Hart New Bern , NCI was the first dog hired for the Summer of 1976. Frank and Bev treated me to a great summer, the best one ever! Left there and went to dental school and Frank let me work part time at the Sundog, Harvard Square location. After graduating I brought my new bride to the island and honeymooned mostly visiting whatever establishments Frank recommend, mostly dining with him and Bev. No finer couple ever there was!!! My three sons all eventually worked at “The Dog” as well
I will miss that fine establishment!!!!
I worked at the Sundog the
Bill Ambler New York & EdgartownI worked at the Sundog the summer of '85, the closest thing to a "real job" I had experienced as a college sophomore. Since then I've had many bosses at many institutions, but Frank Foltz taught me everything I ever really needed to know about management. Treat people decently, be kind, and your staff will reward you with hard work and loyalty. Frank has been a role model for my entire working life. This good dog knows the sun also rises, but for me it will now always be a little bit dimmer.
My husband and I were so
Susan Devito Windsor, CTMy husband and I were so sorry to see the closing of this landmark on the island. We got engaged on the island in 2005. I remember my husband taking his bike to town to buy a special shirt for the night of the proposal. I loved telling that story and people in the store never got tired of listening to it. Such wonderful people, clothes and memories. You will be missed.
This news just reached me,
Douglas Fox Annapolis MarylandThis news just reached me, and what a blow. My parents and grandparents were in the retail clothing business, and I grew up in the 60s in back of “the store” making ribbons on the ribbon machine and folding clothes and doing other odd jobs. A visit to Sundog offered for me an immediate transformation to those long gone days, and one that I looked forward to for almost 25 years of Island visits. Once at Sundog, I was ten again, and chatting with Frank about the history of retail and his time in Annapolis was like talking to my dad or grand dad, and with Frank Jr like chatting my older cousin who also worked at “the store.” The Sundog inventory was impeccably chosen, classic and modern, and vast but not overwhelming. As Frank Jr. once told me when I observed that al my chosen items were blue, men will buy anything in blue. There was nothing more fun than to spend an hour at Sundog upstairs where some of the older inventory went to die, and to find there a classic pair of jeans or firehose pants or fisherman’s shirt that was often priced a decade or more ago. And after hours doing something I thought was shopping, Often realized tgat what i was actually doing was folding and straightening the inventory, like my dad did. My visits to Sundog were like therapy, and if I disappeared in Edgartown my family knew where I could be found. In fact, I am celebrating my 35th wedding anniversary this week on Island and you might say that the safe haven that Sundog offered on rainy days and while my wife was otherwise shopping in Edgartown contributed greatly to that milestone. I guess I’ll have to work harder now. Gotta go… heading down to Vineyard Haven. But it won’t come close.
I found out about this the
Laura Tuck Newfoundland and LabradorI found out about this the hard way - when I went to Edgartown to say hi to Frank Jr. like I always do, and the store was gone! It was actually a shock and I cried. My brother Jim worked there and years later (when I was finally old enough) I was lucky enough to work there. I learned from the best on how to run a store and how to be a great employee. The stories and memories I have will never be forgotten, nor will Frank, Bev, Frank Jr and all the other employees who got to choose which jazz records to play during their shift! Edgartown and MV lost an icon -
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