There’s a hidden gem smack dab in the middle of the Island called the Airport Marketplace. Where there once was a nightclub, there are now three thriving food and beverage spots: Black Sheep, The Fish House and MV Wine & Spirits. Miraculously, there is plenty of parking here too. You can find the three stores by taking your first right off of Airport Road – the main entrance to the airport.

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch, dinner, or libations for you or 50 of your closest friends, you can get pretty much anything you need at the marketplace. And if you go there often enough – as some of us do – you’ll quickly discover your favorites. Below we’ve called out five of the things we love, but there’s much more to discover.

Black Sheep

Black Sheep relocated from downtown Edgartown to the marketplace in 2018. Owner Mark Venette’s background in hospitality is on full display in the welcoming space with a team turning out breakfast, lunch and dinner with daily specials and both to-go and on-site catering. The prepared food section includes cheese and charcuterie, a wide range of pastries, side dishes, main dishes, dips and more. Pastry specials rotate and I recently had a delicious individual banana caramel tart. Black Sheep even has a section of pantry essentials that will save you the extra trip to the grocery store. This is a one-stop experience, with beautiful housewares and linens for hostess gifts to a weeknight take-out dinner. Black Sheep catering menus feature fresh, seasonal items for every celebration; booking ahead is essential.

While I often can’t resist their sweet treats — especially those drop-dead gorgeous cupcakes ($5 each) — my go-to take-out order is grilled lemon honey shrimp (6 for $24) with aioli. I also always grab one or more of the house made dips ($8.95 per half pint). The creamy roasted leek dip, zippy better-than-blue-cheese dip, and spicy buffalo blue dip are on every veggie platter I serve — for guests or my family. Open April – Dec.

Spring hours (through June 30): 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday - Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday)

July 1 - Labor Day: Open seven days, 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

blacksheeponmv.com

508-338-7770

@black_sheep_mv

Black Sheep participates in the Island Eats program.

The Fish House

Husband and wife team Tyler Gibson and Shane Laderoute opened The Fish House in 2018 with a wholesale business plus retail fish and seafood and prime-grade beef. Chef and Island native Everett Whiting joined them in 2019 as a partner with the plan to develop a seafood-focused take-out menu. The menu has turned out to be a hit. In addition to fresh fish sandwiches, lobster rolls and fish tacos, look for new seafood-focused menu items this season, including lobster boils. Tyler, Shane and Everett are self-proclaimed foodies and “the goal was, and is, to showcase the local fishermen,” says Shane. The refrigerated cases have specialty items. Don’t miss their creamy cilantro green sauce, a Peruvian sauce that complements meat or fish, and their smoked bluefish and lobster dips.

When I’m in the store picking up a beautiful piece of striped bass, some local scallops, or a dozen littlenecks, I often leave with my favorite takeout order too: a poke bowl ($15.99 to $24.99). Available with raw or seared fish or tofu, the generous portion is bursting with flavor and topped with crispy shallots.

Open May – Dec.

Hours May 15 - Sept. 1: seven days, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Online ordering recommended

thefishhousemv.com

508-693-0055

@thefishhousemv

MV Wine & Spirits

MV Wine & Spirits offers a broad but curated selection of wine, spirits and beer with a knowledgeable staff headed by store manager Brion McGroarty Jr. and wine manager Liz Beauchamp. “As a year-round business we try to take care of everybody,” says owner Brion McGroarty Sr. No stranger to the package store business, Brion Sr. opened Town Provisions in 1990 in downtown Edgartown until he built the new store in 2013 and re-named it.

MV Wine & Spirits offers discounts on wine by the case: 10 per cent off a mixed case and 15 per cent off an unopened case of one wine. They also take special orders if you’re looking for something specific. The store stocks non-alcoholic beverages and ice in addition to beer, wine and spirits.

While I’m always tempted by new wine varietals and beautiful bottles of spirits at MV Wine, my go-to is bubbly — Champagne, sparkling wine and everything in between. Last year Brion Jr. introduced me to what I think is the best value sparkling on the market, a cava made from a blend of Spanish grapes. Crisp, lemony and elegant, this Raventos i Blanc 2020 Blanc de Blanc ($19.99; $17.99 on sale) is my choice for a hostess gift, a party, or just a Friday night on the porch.

Open seven days a week, year-round; closed Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday

Hours: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. Monday to Saturday; 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday

mvwinestore.com

508-627-7557

@m.v.wineandspirits