A Gem in Everglades City

When I first moved here 32 years ago, I was happy to know that we had a convenient grocery store right here in downtown Everglades City. At that time, in the 1990s, it was owned and operated by Everett and Pauline Reeves. Pauline was known for her leadership and was a very important part of our community, establishing the Holy Family Catholic Church and creating our Museum of the Everglades. One of the distinguishing features of our little grocery store was the mural of alligators playing basketball, designed and painted by our local art students under the guidance of Paul “Trib” Tribble. The Reeves sold the store in 1999 to Dave Vecchio, who managed it along with his father, Guido. Dave renamed the store Right Choice Market and owned the business until April 2005, when Petra and Nicolas Gengenbach purchased it, expanding the name to Right Choice Supermarket, as we know it today.

Only six months after the sale, Hurricane Wilma brought in four feet of water to Everglades City. Hurricanes have been a challenge for all of us who live here, but with the grocery store situated at ground level and stocked with perishable items, it has been even more devastating for them. Just as you walk through the front doors, the height of all our hurricanes (going back as far as Donna in 1960) is measured on the wall. You get a better picture of how overwhelming the hurricanes have been to just this one business.

For the past 21 years, we have been fortunate to have Petra and Nic as part of our community, carrying more grocery items and supplies for both our residents and visitors. We all have to run into Naples for errands and appointments, and other grocery chains may offer a wider selection; however, the convenience (especially as gas prices continue to rise) makes it so convenient to be able to just walk, bike, or ride over to Buckner Avenue. There is a movement across the country to “shop local.” Supporting our local businesses strengthens our community and provides us with the conveniences and amenities that may be lacking in other small towns. If you have not been to Right Choice lately, stop in and check out the fresh fruits and vegetables, and thank them for being here for us.