The building that is now Hal’s Restaurant on Abbot Kinney was originally built and operated as “The Venice Merchant” “The Merchant of Venice” (thanks to the forum posters for the correction), a purveyor of all good things. Giles and Laura Donovan are now bringing “The Venice Merchant” back to the Venice as a purveyor of great local foods.
From Giles and Laura:
We have a simple model that requires 150 of us to get together, and with you we can get wholesale prices from great quality producers and deliver to your door for 25% less than shopping at a store. Your food will be delivered in an awesome wooden crate with our ‘VM’ logo branded on the side. We’re bringing back the milk man, and all that’s great about community delivery with a virtual delicatessen for local foods.
We’ve visited all the farms we procure from and can vouch for their love of nature, and great taste of their organic products. You can read about the sources on our website. We’ll also deliver each crate with 3 recipes for the seasonal fruit and vegetables we recommend for that week. Our recommendations and recipes are based on our knowledge of which local foods are at their most delicious for that time of year.
You’ll be able to customize your service and delivery – each week we’ll let you know what’s in next week’s crate as well as the recipes, so you can make substitutions and shop for additional items such as bread, dairy and meats. Cut off point is Monday and your choices are picked, packed and delivered to your door the next day. You’ll have the choice of either weekly or bimonthly delivery. There is no minimum membership period as we’re confident you’ll be happy with the service.
To give our thanks and get to know each other as we progress towards the 150 members we are hosting farm to table dinners in our Venice backyard. The first dinner, the Founders Feast, is now subscribed as we are already at 50 members with only 2 weeks of spreading the word. The next dinner will be hosted when we reach 100 members. When we reach 150 members we’ll celebrate by throwing a pizza party with our friends at Deus Ex Machina, and the pizza’s will showcase the great tasting products available through ‘The Venice Merchant’.
Please visit our website and join us!
Giles & Laura Donovan
The Venice Merchants
