{"id":8934,"date":"2018-10-19T13:45:41","date_gmt":"2018-10-19T17:45:41","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hagarty-on-wine.com\/OnWineBlog\/?p=8934"},"modified":"2018-10-19T13:45:41","modified_gmt":"2018-10-19T17:45:41","slug":"the-town-duck-keeps-on-giving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.hagarty-on-wine.com\/OnWineBlog\/the-town-duck-keeps-on-giving\/","title":{"rendered":"The Town Duck keeps on giving"},"content":{"rendered":"

Four decades on Main Street and still thriving<\/strong><\/p>\n

The characteristics of ducks mirror one of Warrenton\u2019s favorite shops: both paddle hard beneath the surface but one only sees calm and friendly faces.<\/p>\n

Working hard while projecting serenity is the heart of a shop Fauquier County citizens know well. The Town Duck is the go-to place for gifts, jewelry, cheese, wine, gourmet foods and the freshest of fish.<\/p>\n

The eclectic range of merchandise and down-home hospitality offered by the retail legend is why generations of shoppers have awarded it a long and fruitful life.<\/p>\n

Founded by Robin Payne in the late 1970s, Bibi de Heller purchased it in 1986 and hired Annette Johnson a year later to help her run the shop. In 1993, de Heller moved to Switzerland and Johnson purchased the business.<\/p>\n

de Heller returned to the states a year later and the partnership reunited and has been in play ever since. The winning team works flawlessly together and are still the best of friends.<\/p>\n

\"ImageAnnette Johnson recalls with clarity her first impression of the shop. \u201cI was not in retail and it was absolutely the last thing I thought I would do. But the minute I walked into that shop I loved it. There was such a sense of community there.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy late husband was in the horse world and he fox hunted so I already knew many people in the county,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n

Later, after Johnson purchased the business she moved it to 215 Main Street. The new location tripled the size of the original shop and business jumped dramatically. \u201cThere were days we could fill a USP truck with all the outgoing shipments.\u201d<\/p>\n

In 2008, the owner of the building did not want to renew the lease and the shop moved to its current location at 100 Main Street. \u201cWe\u2019ve been here 10 years. How time flies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Today, de Heller focuses on the financial side of the shop, including bookkeeping. Owner Johnson manages the staff and merchandise.<\/p>\n

So how did the shop get its name? There was no \u201cAha!\u201d moment that struck original owner Payne. \u201cShe simply made the name up and then had a logo designed of a cute duck going shopping with a purse under its wing,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n

The shop has hundreds of items for sale; \u201cperhaps thousands,\u201d if you include all the various soaps and jewelry items. Products range in price from $5 for a simple piece of jewelry to over $100 for a bottle of fine wine.<\/p>\n

They have something for everybody, including a bridal registry. But the busiest day of the week is Friday\u2026fish day.<\/p>\n

Johnson had been selling fish for years but wanted to expand her selection and offer unusual items such as Shad Roe which run in the spring.<\/p>\n

Today, over 500 people are on the shop\u2019s email notification list that is posted every Wednesday. It describes what fish will be available on Friday. Customers place their order and pick up their fish on delivery day.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe use J.J. McDonald from Md. who is one of the best fish purveyors in the business. We get a variety of fresh water and ocean fish each week.\u201d<\/p>\n

The selections are impressive: seasonal\u00a0availability\u00a0of Shad Roe, sea scallops, farmed Atlantic Salmon, Mahi Mahi, Arctic Char, Norwegian Cod, Flounder, Swordfish,\u00a0Lane Snapper,\u00a0Rockfish, Monk fillet Bronzini, Salmon, Bluefish, PEI Mussels,\u00a0and Tuna loin.<\/p>\n

If the finest bounty of the sea is your passion, be sure cast your line into The Town Duck\u2019s pond.<\/p>\n

Premium seafood calls for premium wine pairings and again the shop does not fail. Dozens of selections of high-quality wines are available. The depth of choice is so deep The Washington Post wine critic, Dave McIntyre, often lists the shop as a source for wines he has recommended to his readers.<\/p>\n

While the satisfaction of providing Warrenton with quality merchandise, wines and fish is rewarding, Johnson is most proud of the employment opportunities she has provided to over 50 young staffers over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese young people have gone on to enjoy great careers—huge careers—and they still come back to see us. They\u2019re now married and have children. It\u2019s very gratifying. They loved working in the shop. We were like second mothers to them,\u201d said Johnson.<\/p>\n

Characteristically, Johnson goes on to say the success of the shop is centered on her staff. Two of her long-time loyal and experienced employees are Anne Schalestock and Robbi Ryan. \u201cThey keep the shop looking great and customers love them.\u201d<\/p>\n

In her closing thoughts, Johnson opines that, \u201cI wish people would realize that in supporting not just my business, but any local business, what they\u2019re helping to accomplish. The money stays in the community. I am a great believer in Main Street.<\/p>\n

\u201cI turned 76 this fall and I\u2019m still here because I believe in it. I\u2019m still soldering on. It\u2019s a great shop; it\u2019s been the greatest experience of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

American poet Maya Angelou once said, \u201cMy mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.\u201d<\/p>\n

The philosophy perfectly matches Johnson\u2019s world view.<\/p>\n

For a digital peek inside the world of Annette Johnson\u2019s playground, visit http:\/\/www.townduck.com\/<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Published in the October 15, 2018 edition of the Fauquier Times.\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Four decades on Main Street and still thriving The characteristics of ducks mirror one of Warrenton\u2019s favorite shops: both paddle hard beneath the surface but one only sees calm and friendly faces. Working hard while projecting serenity is the heart of a shop Fauquier County citizens know well. The Town Duck is the go-to place […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"spay_email":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_is_tweetstorm":false,"jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true},"categories":[5],"tags":[966],"yoast_head":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n