⌛Reflections on What's Changed on Martha's Vineyard in 2024

a long list of everything that's evolved, expanded and changed this year

One of the charms of Martha’s Vineyard is its constant evolution. There are endless opportunities for young entrepreneurs, and each year we see improvements for everyone who visits or lives here. This post captures 75+ changes, big or small, we’ve seen in 2024. It makes me so optimistic for 2025!

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✨What Changed in 2024

💼 New and Changing Businesses

• 🆕 New this year:

  • 🍽️Restaurants: 9 Craft Kitchen, El Barco, The Model Deli, Midnight Mediterranean, Cozy Corner Cafe, Wicked Burger, Notalot Farm Shop, La Strada, Ophelia’s Treats, Black Joy Commercial Kitchen, Iggy’s Bread Menemsha

  • 🛍️Stores: Adrift, Sofie’s Summer Shop, Good Shoppe, Curio, Boutique on the Buy Way, The Sunny Side, Weatherly, Erica Wilson, Dune Man, Free Est

  • 🛠️Services: DermaSea, Aligned Pilates, ForeverMV, Salty Solutions, True Haven Co, Happyness Factor, , Reunion Pizza, Soiree Catering

  • 📍Venue: Stillpoint

• 🔄 Changed Ownership/Management:

  • CrossFit MV is now Rock Solid Fitness

  • First Light Cafe in MV Museum was managed by Aquila, and now Gina Stanley of Art Cliff Diner

  • The Ritz’s late-night kitchen, previously managed as Loud Kitchen, now serves food as 'The Kitchen’

• 🏡 Major Renovation:

  • Stop + Shop Edgartown’s renovation/addition was completed

  • Vineyard Vines Edgartown expanded into the old North Water Gallery

  • Beetlebung Farm Stand opened a renovated farm stand (410 Middle Road)

• 🚛 Moved Locations:

  • Resources: Island Food Bank moved to a new, expanded location

  • Restaurants: You Enjoy My Vegan (food truck behind The Cove), Midnight Taco (across the street)

  • Businesses: North Water Gallery, Untameable Gallery, Island Vintage / Moving Soon: Coastal Supply Co., Talita DeStefani

• 💔 Permanent Closures:

  • Restaurants: Bombay, Life at Humphrey’s, Juice by the Sea, Copper Wok, The Larder

  • Stores: Leslie’s Pharmacy, Laughing Bear, Glasshouse, MV Made, FatFace Edg, Rochelle’s, Bibi’s Kids Clothing, Sylvie Bags

  • Events: Beach Road Festival will move to Cape Cod in 2025

🆕 Martha's Vineyard New Business Roundup - Spring 2024

First Light, El Barco, Iggy's Menemsha, Beetlebung Farm Stand

🚧 Town Infrastructure Changes

• Shared Use Path opened on Oak Bluffs side of the drawbridge

• The rotary by Island Queen was completed

• The old souvenir shop by Flying Horses opened as Good Shoppe

• The Vineyard Wind building was completed

• The Archway and other branch-based art projects in the State Forest

• Affordable housing added in Aquinnah

• New Aquinnah playground

• Planning continued for the Food Forest in Aquinnah Town Center

• Wind Farm continues construction

• Edgartown and Oak Bluffs banned the sale of alcohol nips

• Tisbury School re-opened after a renovation

• The Tabernacle completed their new roof

• James Pond Preserve opened to the public

• Approval for Marijuana Transport onto the island

📆 Events

• Art Markets on Beach Street Extension (during First Friday Vineyard Haven)

• Porchfest Edgartown

• Islanders Write

• Brazil Fest

• Burgers N Bubbles

• State of the Island Tourism Breakfast

• Holly & Ivy Holiday Ball

🤝 Community

For more on 2024’s community controversies, including the rise of Alpha Gal allergies and debates over offshore wind/housing developments, check out this recent article:

🗞️ Martha’s Vineyard’s Top Controversies of 2024

Bibis' Closing, Stop + Shop Re-Opening, Curio, Porchfest Edg

✨ What’s on the Horizon for 2025

🆕 New and Changing Businesses

• Seagrass Bar and Grill will open in the old location of Sharky’s Edgartown

• Quitsa Kitchen will open in the old location of Life at Humphrey’s

• Menotomy will open in the old location of Red Cat Kitchen

• Jaws 50th Anniversary Celebration will bring new events

• Oso, which will sell women’s clothing, will replace Laughing Bear in Oak Bluffs, owned by Basics/Eastway owner

• More Updates to be added here and in MVacay’s future Weekly Events Emails

🚧 Town Infrastructure

• Martha's Vineyard Airport Terminal Upgrade: The airport received a $15 million grant for terminal renovations

• Vineyard Haven Waterfront Development: Plans are underway for a commercial waterfront development on Beach Road

• A new Island Composting Facility will be added

• Mixed-Income Subdivision in Edgartown: The MVC approved a new mixed-income subdivision in Edgartown, reserving building lots and an apartment duplex for deed-restricted purchase by year-round Islanders.

There are so many more updates to come here! You can look forward to a full update coming in Spring 2025 detailing new, changing businesses.