Today’s installment of our Q&A series with a local business is with Doug Stewart Walter Stewart’s Market and Stewarts Wine & Spirits on Elm Street.
Here’s our exchange:
Stewarts Wine & Spirts. Photo courtesy of Doug Stewart
New Canaanite: Doug, you’re very plugged into the local business community, as an owner of one of New Canaan’s best-established businesses, a member of the Chamber of Commerce board and a resident yourself. What is your sense of consumer demand this holiday shopping season, and of the health of our local business community?
Doug Stewart: A main draw to New Canaan is our vibrant, charming downtown. With so many new families in town now and the holiday season there is a lot of great energy in New Canaan. We are all excited for the Holiday Stroll and we are hopeful it kicks off a successful season for our local merchants and restaurants.
Walter Stewart’s meats. Photo courtesy of Doug Stewart
We’ve seen a massive uptick in home sales in the past year-plus, with scores of new families settling into New Canaan. What would you like to tell those new residents about Walter Stewart’s Market?
We are a multi-generational family-owned and -operated business celebrating our 114th year in New Canaan. We offer the best quality foods available, specialty products you won’t find elsewhere, and a full service deli with a hot bar and salad bar that has become an in-demand lunch spot. From our holiday menu to Christmas ornaments and décor, we really are a one-stop holiday shopping destination. The key to our success is our signature personal service that our team is able to offer our customers. We really care about and care for our customers and I believe that distinguishes us.
Christmas ornaments at Walter Stewart’s Market. Photo courtesy of Doug Stewart
I imagine that we’re in one of the very busiest times of year for the market as well as the wine shop. How are you guys doing?
This is our favorite time of the year. We loved seeing New Canaan celebrating Thanksgiving with their families and we expect a busy holiday season.
What are some of the special offers at Walter Stewart’s and Stewarts Spirits this holiday season?
Caspari Crackers at Walter Stewart’s Market. Photo courtesy of Doug Stewart
Our Executive Chef Randall and his team have put together a fantastic holiday menu with made-fresh-to-order Prix Fixe Holiday Dinner packages (Beef Tenderloin, Stuffed Turkey Breast, Maple Glazed Spiral Ham, Salmon Roulade), and delicious sides (Sweet Potato Risotto, Green Beans Almondine) to party-pleasing Hors d’Ouevres (Truffle Dip, Artichoke & Spinach Dip) and local fresh-baked Whistle Stop Pies and Cakes! Place your holiday orders with Alex and our butchers, from Certified Angus Beef Standing Rib Roasts to D’Artagnan Berkshire Hams. We also have the best cooking utensils, festive décor, stocking stuffers, Christmas crackers, gift wrapping paper, gourmet chocolate sets, New Canaan landmark ornaments, knife sharpening and so much more. Neal and his team at Stewart’s Wine & Spirits have the best selection of holiday wines, bourbons and craft seasonal brews. Stop by every Saturday for special wine tastings.
New Canaan’s holiday ornaments at Walter Stewart’s Market. Photo courtesy of Doug Stewart
What are the best-sellers this time of year at both stores?
Certified Angus Filet Mignon Roasts, Navel Oranges, Honeycrisp Apples, WSM Butternut Squash Soup, WSM Roasted Brussels Sprouts, WSM Truffle Mac & Cheese, Vermont Creamery Crème Fraiche, Mifroma Fondue Swiss Cheese, WSM Parkerhouse Rolls, Perbellini Panetonne, La Crema Chardonnay, Taittinger Champagne, Flowers Pinot Noir, Balvenie DoubleWood 12 yr. Single Malt, Lawson’s Sip of Sunshine IPA.
What else would you like to tell our readers?
We invite our youngest shoppers to enter our annual Peter’s Stocking drawing starting next week, a cherished Walter Stewart’s holiday tradition for 43 years. The toys in the stocking are purchased every year at the New Canaan Toy Store and we donate toys to Karl Chevrolet’s Toys for Tots drive as well. Our T-bill shoppers are encouraged to donate their T-Bill balances to their favorite participating local non-profit during our annual holiday T-Bill drive, December 16th through 22nd. And of course Bennett and our customer service staff are always on hand to answer any questions, provide assistance, and receive feedback on products you would like us to offer or ways we can better serve you.
[Past installments of our Q&A series with local businesses this holiday season can be found here.]