⌛Reflections on What's Changed on Martha's Vineyard in 2023

the big changes we saw, how we felt about them and what we're excited for in 2024

Happy December! Martha’s Vineyard is always evolving, which is one of the things we love about it. I love that it offers opportunity to young entrepreneurs, and offers improvements to islanders and visitors constantly. We’ve rounded up all the changes we could remember into this post, though I’m sure there are more we left out. I can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for next year…

Pelican Club at Faraway reopened in 2023

What Changed in 2023

New and Changing Businesses

• New this year: Catboat Coffee, Bombay Indian, The Ice Box Ice Cream, To Market, Blackbird Cafe, Cozy Corner Cafe, Loud Kitchen at the Ritz, The Attic at Waterside (name/concept change from La Soffitta)

• Changed Ownership: Linda Jeans, The Strand Theatre, Square Rigger by Nina’s, Mikado Oak Bluffs, Aquila at YMCA, Rockfish, Heather Gardens

• Major Renovation: of Edgartown Stop + Shop, Faraway Hotel, Pelican Club, Newes from America, ArtCliff Diner

• Moved Locations: Conrado, Red Cat Kitchen, Kin, Brickyard Bicycles, Untameable Gallery

Town Infrastructure Changes

• A new public statue was unveiled in Oak Bluffs by Jay Lagemann

• Main Street Vineyard Haven saw road and sidewalk improvements

• New wind building has begun construction on Beach Road

• Increase in aqua culture farms off the lagoon and off East Beach

• Entertainment venues curfew and nightlife changes in OB

• A new three-story condo is constructed in Vineyard Haven

• Addition of the Edgartown Farmer's Market

• Improvement to bike path on Beach Road

• The first year striped bass were not included in the Derby

• Renovation of Tisbury school began, classes moved into modular buildings

• Seastreak now offers a route from New Bedford for commuters

• Edgartown Parks Department took over management of Norton Point Beach

• Aquinnah Shop Restaurant was sold to The Native Land Conservatory

• North Bluff Roundabout project began

  Overall, we were so excited to see sidewalk and bike path improvements in 2022-2023 making travel amongst and within towns more accessible to everyone.

  

Whats on the Horizon for 2024

New and Changing Businesses

• Notalot will open as a small, seasonal farm stand and pre-made food on Kennebec in OB

• A new taqueria will be opening at Old Stone Bank in Vineyard Haven, it will be a 30-seat lunch spot

• Stina Sayre will be closed

• Donoramas will be relocating

Town Infrastructure Changes

• Tisbury School will complete renovation

• The Souvenir Shop by the Flying Horses renovation should be complete

• The High School will start installation of the artificial turf field

• Food Pantry will have a new home

• Tabernacle roof will be completed

There are so many more updates to come here! You can look forward to a full season update coming in Spring 2024 detailing new, changing businesses.

How MVacay has changed

In 2023, we welcomed our daughter Aria! I (Lis) have shifted to working part-time as a consultant in education technology, which gives me more time to work on MVacay and be with the girls. I really would love to have enough paid subscribers to work on MVacay full-time in 2024 so that I can increase the quality of content for you. I’m about 150 paid subscribers away from making that a reality, so I’m spending time trying to show as much value as I can to this community so you consider upgrading.

More family news: In 2023, my brother Michael and sister in-law Melissa got married on MV, which has inspired us to round out our wedding-related content. Our two-year-old daughter Evy started wanting to get out and explore more, which has helped us learn the most family-friendly options. And my mother Alison is very into the live music and artisan scenes, so lots on that. As our family grows and experiences the best of Martha’s Vineyard, we want to share that with our readers. In 2024, Court is also working on converting our apps to Android versions so even more visitors and residents can access MVacay apps on-the-go.

Every dollar from paid subscriptions goes directly to our little family. Every time we get a new paid subscriber we do a little cheer in our house 😊 We love to support small and local - and you are doing just that by reading and sharing our posts. We are endlessly grateful for each of you.

To close out the year, I’d like to randomly shout-out gratitude for some of our most loyal paid subscribers from 2023: Thank you to: Julie, Erin, Hilary, Maureen, Janine, Jessica, Annie, Anna, Rachel, Debbie, Susanna, Korrie, Diane, Elizabeth, Zach, Helen, Mike, Natasha, Alana, Marsha, Sean, Emily…THANK YOU! :) If I didn’t get your name on this round, stay tuned for future shout-outs!

---

As always, if I missed something feel free to reply to this email with a kind note and I’m happy to edit it! xo