[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 37 (Thursday, March 2, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E272]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   IN RECOGNITION OF CRONIG'S MARKET

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                        HON. WILLIAM R. KEATING

                            of massachusetts

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 2, 2017

  Mr. KEATING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in recognition of Cronig's 
Market on Martha's Vineyard, which on March 10th will be celebrating 
its 100th Anniversary.
  The Cronig Brothers grocery store was opened in 1917 by the four 
Cronig Brothers, Sam, Ed, Theodore or ``Tebby'', and Henry Cronig, 
first generation immigrants from Lithuania. Sam Cronig, the oldest son 
of ten siblings, came to the United States in 1904 and arrived on 
Martha's Vineyard in 1905 to work on a farm in Eastville. He soon moved 
on to work for several established grocery stores up until 1917, when 
he and his three brothers opened the Cronig Brothers grocery store.
  Though the store experienced the trials and tribulations of a small 
retail business of that era, by 1923, the Cronigs had 51 employees on 
their payroll. Through the early years of business, it has been 
referred to as Cronig Bros. Public Market, The Public Market and 
Vineyard Haven Public Market. It continued its rapid expansion from a 
store front to occupying an entire building by 1940.
  1957 marked the end of an era. Sam Cronig retired and handed over 
operational control to his sons, Robert and David Cronig. A decade 
later, Jeffrey and Donald Cronig had also joined the store. Robert and 
David then went on to add a second supermarket to the growing business, 
eventually handing over management to Steve Bernier in 1986.
  Today, Cronig's has expanded to three locations, the larger Down-
Island Cronig's, the cozy Up-Island Cronig's, and Healthy Additions, a 
two floor health food and supplement store. A pillar in the Martha's 
Vineyard community, Cronig's has remained committed to its customers by 
providing fresh, local ingredients and has led the way with several 
eco-friendly initiatives.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to recognize Cronig's Market on this joyous 
occasion. I ask that my colleagues join me in commemorating the 
Market's centennial year and look forward to a future of continued 
prosperity.

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