New Owners to Carry on Jerry’s Traditions

Tanya and Steve Davies are the new owners of Jerry’s Market.

Photo: Lee Burnett

By Lee Burnett, submissions editor

New owners have purchased Jerry’s Market, the neighborhood grocery store and local institution, and the transition looks like it will be a smooth one.

Steve and Tanya Davies took over from former owner Peter Dunham last week. Dunham plans to stay on as mentor and vacation fill-in manager. Everyone sounds thrilled with the arrangement.

“My dream was to own this place,” Steve said Wednesday while he fried up breakfast sandwiches for the crew next door at Prompto 10 Minute Oil Change. “I’ve been shopping here for years.”

Steve grew up in a family that owned two convenience store/restaurants and began looking for an ownership opportunity 20 years ago. “We’ve been hunting for the right place,” he said. His financial advisor and brother looked at the books and gave a thumbs up.

“We’re super excited,” said Tanya.

Dunham sounded just as happy. Two years ago, he advertised the market for sale through Malone Commercial Brokers for $1.95 million.

“I really wanted to find a younger version of myself, someone with drive and determination,” said Dunham, 66. “They’ve got a ton of enthusiasm, a ton of ideas. I think they’re going to take something that’s very good and make it better.”

Jerry’s was started in 1947 by Peter’s father Gerald and made a name for itself with its meat department. Peter took over in the late 1980s and continued building the reputation. The meat department generates 45 percent of the store’s revenue, Dunham said.

“Certainly, we’ve got a ton of pride here,” said Dunham. “Top-of-the-line [meats]. That was my dad’s approach – quality and cleanliness, it speaks volumes.”

Davies plans to expand the meat department by smoking meats out back in his commercial-sized smoker. He ticked off a list of custom-order items – ribs, bacon, brisket, pork butt, sausage and chicken. “I’ve been smoking for years. I got that dialed in,” he said.

Other changes include introducing a coffee bar out front, putting up a deli menu board with made-to-order breakfast sandwiches and Italian sandwiches, and adopting online ordering. “I plan to keep it as it is, and introduce subtle changes,” he said.

Both Davieses quit old jobs to make ownership possible. Steve owned a commercial roofing company in Massachusetts, Tanya worked at a Berwick veterinary clinic.

Ownership represents a downsizing for Steve. His roofing company employed 72 people and generated $35 million in annual revenues; by comparison, Jerry’s annual revenue reached $2.5 million during the pandemic, according to Dunham.

When asked whether the roofing business or grocery business is more stressful, Tanya jumped in. “It depends on which day you ask us,” she said with a laugh. “I’m not stressed at all, I’m happy,” said Steve.

Tanya and Steve plan to continue Dunham’s seven-day-a-week schedule, although Dunham has already offered to step back full-time when they need a break. “I know what [a seven-day work week] is like. I want them to be able to take a break and not worry about a thing.”

The couple don’t expect to be visiting their vacation home near Sugarloaf ski resort anytime soon. “At least for the first year, I don’t see us there,” said Steve.

Dunham is looking forward to spending more time in Oswego, NY, where he fishes for salmon on Lake Ontario.

“I’m kinda worn out, beat up after 50-plus years,” he said.