By MATT LINDSEY

NORWOOD -- Perry’s Market turns 100 in October and its owners are celebrating the occasion with giveaways, a fall festival and new line of products.

Owners Rick and Carina Gilchrist bought the business in its 99th year from Sue Perry in August 2016.

“Our first year of ownership has certainly been one of learning and getting to understand the industry,” Mrs. Gilchrist said. “Its a complicated business.”

Perry’s Market has been feeding North Country families for a century and its owners realize the rarity in that feat.

Friendly service is often associated with family-owned businesses. The business has been owned by several families over the years.

“When you shop local, you can know that your dollars are going towards supporting the people around you,” Gilchrist said.

Feeding Families For a Century

Perry’s is “celebrating 100 years because it isn’t often a local business stays open and functions as the same kind of business for that long,” Gilchrist said. “We believe this is a great opportunity to say thank you to the community and to also raise awareness that Perry’s Market is here and is a great place to shop and keep your dollars local.”

Perry’s offers most everything one would expect to find at a grocery store, including a meat department, fresh produce, a bakery and deli. They sell some ready-to-eat foods such as pizza and breakfast sandwiches.

“This fall we will be rolling out a new line of products that will give customers more fresh, hot and cold, homemade food options to buy right from the store,” she said. “They will be affordable, healthy, and delicious. Our in-house chef, Charlie, will be spearheading getting this up and running the next month or so.”

Perry’s Market will also look to improve their pizza through a “homemade sauce, fresh dough, and yummy toppings,” Gilchrist said. “We are getting lots of great feedback and hope to offer that at a new and lower price starting this fall.”

Small Stores Survive

“What we believe independent grocery stores can offer that big box stores cannot is friendly service from a familiar face, personal guarantee that we will do whatever we can to make the customer happy, and to know that we are fighting to get good prices and quality food brought in for our customers,” Gilchrist said.

The store, which used to be called Perry’s Big M, is now known as Perry’s Market. Prior to Perry’s Big M, the store was called Kingsley’s Grocery and was owned by Roy Kingsley. It was unclear when Sue Perry purchased the business from the Kingsley’s.

Kingsley purchased it in 1964 from the Holt family. Stanley Holt took over the family-owned business from his father E.J Holt in 1937. E.J. had opened The Company Store in 1917.

It was not clear if the store has always operated at 58 Spring St.

“It (the store) seemed to have been moved around from various lots but it’s hard to say exactly because the description I have in writing is a little unclear,” Gilchrist said. “I believe it was across the street for some time originally, but then moved across the street when the landlord needed the property.”

“The original structure was a fairly small space,” she said. “There was an apartment above for the owner and the store underneath.”

Former owner Sue Perry did a very large addition back in the 1990’s.

“In the past year we have laid new flooring in the original part of the building, painted the exterior, built trim around the doors and will be putting up a new sign last week,” Gilchrist said.

Spending money locally has gained steam over the years with “Buy Local” movements and the Gilchrist’s support that idea. “Your neighbors, local town politicians, and friends will be directly impacted when we shop local,” she said “If local stores go out of business, then it alters our neighborhoods and economy.”

100-Year Celebration

Perry’s Market will offer three chances to win $100 worth of prizes. There is a minimum purchase of $25 to enter the contests.

The first contest runs Oct. 7-13 with the prize being $100 with of gift cards to local business. From Oct. 14-20 the contest will see the winner receive $100 with of groceries from Perry’s. The final drawing will be for $100 in lottery tickets. That contest runs Oct. 21-27.

The official celebration is set for Oct. 28 from 1 to 3 p.m. with drawings at 3 p.m. Winners must be present to win.

The celebration also includes free pizza, hot dogs, beverages, and face painting. Halloween costumes are encouraged.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the people of Norwood and appreciate the support,” Gilchrist said. “We look forward to many years of business here.”

Mr. Gilchrist, originally from Boston, received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from SUNY Canton. Catrina is a native of Madrid.