Westerly Sun - 2021-03-11: Gilbert Stuart Birthplace, The Tin Peddler hopes to meet a niche need in North Stonington, and Frances Kelly

You’re listening to the Westerly Sun’s podcast, where we talk about the best local events, new job postings, obituaries, and more.

First, a bit of Rhode Island trivia. Today’s trivia is brought to you by Perennial. Perennial’s new plant-based drink “Daily Gut & Brain” is a blend of easily digestible nutrients crafted for gut and brain health. A convenient mini-meal, Daily Gut & Brain” is available now at the CVS Pharmacy in Wakefield.

Now for some trivia. Did you know that the the Gilbert Stuart birthplace and museum located in Saunderstown is an authentically restored and furnished 1750 era home you can visit today? You can visit the snuff mill of the Stuart family and learn about the life of one of America’s best known portrait painters. 

Now, for our feature story:

When the COVID-19 pandemic struck the U.S. a year ago, it brought the restaurant industry to a screeching halt.

Rather than dwell on the difficulty of new challenges created by the pandemic, North Stonington residents Mariah Pfiffner, Nicole Jenkins, and Executive Chef Julian Elfeydani-Connell saw the change as an opportunity to meet a need and go into business for themselves.

The longtime food service professionals recently opened The Tin Peddler, a specialty market and grocery store along Norwich-Westerly Road focused on providing locally sourced meats, dry goods and produce while showcasing farmers, fishermen and artisans from eastern Connecticut and western Rhode Island. The business, which opened in mid-February, also offers a hand-crafted menu that changes daily including soups, salads, sandwiches and other meal options for takeaway.

Pfiffner said: “After seeing the shift in the restaurant industry, I think we all knew that moving forward we would need an environment and model that would be more pandemic-proof”. “All three of us were fortunate to work through the shutdown and we felt that there was a specific need for this type of business along the Route 2 corridor.”

Tucked in a lot just south of the town’s schools between the Red Onion and Jake’s Restaurant, the store was filled Thursday morning with fresh meats and cheeses from local farms. Those shopping could find products from numerous local organizations, including Beriah Lewis Farm, Firefly Farms, Terra Firma Farms, Sweet Grass Creamery, Hillandale Farms and more.

Patrons were able to enjoy a moment at a couple socially distanced tables in the corner of the market, browse merchandise without fear of backing into another customer or even use the market’s drive-thru service, available by placing an order online at www.thetinpeddler.com. Behind the counter, Elfeydani-Connell worked to fill sandwich orders and meal requests as Pfiffner and Jenkins waited on customers, served soups and gathered the orders together.

“For me, going into business was about fulfilling a passion I had to create something for myself, to work for myself and to create my own rules,” Elfeydani-Connell said. “I had an idea of what I wanted to do, but it wasn’t until we all got together and shared our ideas that we realized we had something we could truly build a business around.”

For now, the future is bright and the trio are exploring their options for expansion including a liquor license and buying equipment to take their show on the road.

Mariah summed it up: “There’s a lot we feel like we could do, but really our main goal is to be an active partner in this community for years to come,”

Remember to check out www.westerlysun.com for the latest news and COVID updates.

Are you interested in a new opportunity? You’re in luck! Today’s Job posting comes from the University of Rhode Island in Kingston. They’re looking for a full-time fiscal clerk. Bookkeeping experience is preferred. Pay starts at $21.00 per hour. If you’re interested and think you’d be a good fit for the role you can apply using the link in our episode description.

https://www.indeed.com/l-Westerly,-RI-jobs.html?vjk=c833267992db5c1a

Today we’re remembering the life of Frances Kelly, of Winnapaug Road who passed away at the age of 100.

She was the wife the late William Kelly who predeceased her in 1999.

Frances was born in Boston, and was a bookkeeper for local firms during her working years. Her retirement years gave her the opportunity to enjoy volunteering at the Babcock-Smith House, serving as Treasurer of the Docents as well as Treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the Babcock-Smith House Museum. She was also a Friend of the Westerly Public Library, and enjoyed working at the annual Book Fair.

Mrs. Kelly was an artist who painted all her own birthday, special occasion and Christmas cards. She enjoyed hooking rugs, needlepoint, knitting and sewing. Her family has been the lucky recipients of many of her creative projects.

She leaves behind her daughters, five grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Thank you for taking the time today to remember and celebrate Frances’s life.

That’s it for today, we’ll be back next time with more! Also, remember to check out our sponsor Perennial, Daily Gut & Brain, available at the CVS on Main St. in Wakefield!

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