Taylor's Market under new ownership

By Christine Rodriques
Viewpoint Staff Writer

It's hard to imagine Curtis Park without Taylor's Market and almost as hard to imagine the neighborhood landmark without its long-time owner, Kevin Schell. Happily, the market will remain, but sadly, Kevin has retired from the grocery business after working at the Freeport Boulevard store for 37 years.

And while Kevin pursues a long awaited retirement, Danny Johnson, formerly a part owner in the store, will now be the sole owner carrying on the beloved traditions of Taylor's Market and adding some new ones to the mix of produce, meats, staples and deli counter.

Taylor's Market has been serving the grocery needs of Curtis Park and Land Park since the 1950s, and has always been a family enterprise. Originally founded by Ed Taylor, the market soon brought others under its wing. Kevin's father, Ed Schell, was trained as a butcher there in 1962 by his brother-in-law. Ed later became an owner and then brought in his son Kevin at the ripe, young age of 12 to help around the store. Eventually, Kevin became the majority owner and has been the face of Taylor's Market for the last decade since his father retired.

Kevin takes great pride in the feeling of family among the store staff and with the store's owners as well as the great sense of neighborhood community that is Taylor's Market.

"I love that the store is a meeting place for both the Curtis Park and Land Park neighborhoods," said Kevin. "The store has a great mix of customers and I've really enjoyed getting to know them."

The store has been a source of not just business relationships for Kevin, but for social ones as well. "I even met my wife there," he said.

Kevin's retirement plans include spending plenty of time with his parents. He also plans to pursue other interests but says it's unlikely he will return to the grocery business. Kevin has been invaluable to SCNA over the years, supporting many neighborhood events but particularly the Wine Tasting & Silent Auction for which he has single-handedly arranged all the wine for the event.

New owner, Danny Johnson, was hired by Ed Schell immediately after completion of his own training at butcher school in 1983 and has worked at the store ever since; he became a part owner four years later and as such is already very familiar with the store and its customers.

Danny is planning to continue to support the family and community feeling of the store while he implements some innovative new ideas. One of his goals is to expand community involvement of the market but also to expand the store itself.

Taylor's Market is expanding into the space next door, which will be used for much needed additional office space and to install a full catering kitchen to more easily prepare take-out foods and facilitate the development of a catering arm. The new space will also afford room for wine tastings.

Already, the store has a busy Web site www.taylorsmarket.com with food being ordered from all over the U.S. and even from foreign countries. Danny shared that one soldier stationed in Iraq ordered a number of food items to share with his colleagues. There are plans to expand Web site sales.

And for those who have been avid patrons of Taylor's excellent selection of wines, rest assured that the wine department is in good hands. Long-time Curtis Park resident, Richard Ebert of 23rd Street, has been hired as the new wine and spirits manager at the market. Richard brings 27 years of experience as a wine broker to his new position (He sold wine to Taylor's in his former capacity). Richard can be found in the wine and spirits aisle ready to assist in making just the right wine choice while imparting the latest information on wines and spirits and sharing tips on great wine buys.

SCNA extends a hearty thanks to Kevin and his father Ed for their many years of support to Curtis Park. A big welcome is extended to Danny.

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