The Pinwheel Market and Cafe in Penn Yan

By D.E. Bentley –

A dizzying array of gifts and goodies in store – all for a great cause.

Some spaces just radiate warmth and offer a welcoming respite.  When there is a place that also offers hope, the warmth is even more evident and reassuring.  Such is the case with The Pinwheel Market & Café at 19 Main Street in Penn Yan.  Operated by Milly’s Pantry, a 501© 3 not-for-profit organization, The Pinwheel Market & Café is more than a market and café, it is an expanding and exciting Main Street venue with a mission.

Milly’s Pantry has its roots in the vision and dedication of its earliest founder, Mary Camilla “Milly” Bloomquist (April 1, 1917 – December 11, 2014).  Having lived through the Great Depression, Bloomquist understood that hunger and poverty was everywhere, including in her community, and set out to bring about positive change.  She also understood that children are the future and without adequate food they were less likely to reach their potential and become shining stars in their neighborhoods that contribute to the world, to their future.  She shared that vision with all who would listen and her legacy includes receiving the 2011 Presidential Citizens Medal from President Barack Obama.  In his opening statements he summarized Bloomquist’s many contributions: “In Penn Yan, New York if you’re out of money and need groceries, what you do is call Milly. If you need a little extra money to make the rent this month, call Milly. If you need a warm coat for the winter, call Milly.” More importantly, her legacy continues through the programs she started that continue to make a difference in the lives of children and families – including her dream pantry.

The mission of Milly’s Pantry is simple: “So children do not go hungry.”   During the 2016-17 academic year their Weekend Back Pack Program sent home food every Friday to almost 500 students. 880 new backpacks filled with school supplies were distributed in August 2017 to Dundee (340) and Penn Yan (540) schools, including deliveries to Marcus Whitman, Emmanuel Baptist School and to home school students in need of these supplies crucial to academic success. They also celebrated a third year of Summer Food, serving weekly summer meals to around 500 students at eight local Penn Yan and Dundee sites.  Thanks to grants, community contributions and the contributions of many volunteers, these programs continue to reach out to families that need assistance.

I have stopped into the The Pinwheel Market & Café a couple times when in the area and took the time during a lunch stop on November 14, 2018 to learn more about the enterprises that help feed Yates County children.  I spoke with coordinator Becky Devine, who shared some about the building and mission of Bloomquist’s continuing legacy – while fixing me up a lovely light lunch of quiche and soup.  Milly’s Pantry at 19 Main Street in Penn Yan includes The Pinwheel Market & Café, The Café Next Door and a large third floor upstairs ballroom.  All are housed in a renovated 19th century building that Milly’s Pantry has been able to purchase with a grant and community support.  The downstairs offers unique handicrafts and other gifts made by local artisans who donate a percentage of their sales to the non-profit.  There is also a soda fountain bar area and seating for lunch.   Next to the Pinwheel Market is The Café Next Door, a delightful space that is also available for various events – with many more planned for the coming year.  On the second floor is a commercial kitchen that is available for entrepreneurial activities and cooking classes.  The third floor ballroom – once the home to pre-Civil War Keuka riflemen – is now home to zumba, yoga and Keuka Dance and is available for rental for family and community events.

Everywhere you turn there is more to see and do, and momentum is building as the program moves closer to 2019.  Volunteers were busy helping customers and arranging newly arrived products on the shelves for holiday shoppers.  Becky Devine, who will take on the role of Market Manager in January – hoping to partially fill the shoes of the many dedicated people who have stepped in and stepped up to help since Milly Bloomquist first set the wheels in motion – shared a few of her ideas.  She hopes to involve more young people in the day-to-day operations.  She is also hopeful for recently applied for grant monies, which are needed for facility upgrades that will make the upstairs areas more widely accessible.

Like the Market’s Pinwheel namesake, the small breeze that first set Milly’s Pantry in motion continues to drive changes that are helping the organization serve more while working toward their long-range goal of becoming a self sustaining charitable organization.   The Pinwheel Market and Café already offer so much to anyone who ventures in, making it a great holiday stop for creative gift ideas and lunch.

Stop by today and say hello; you will be glad you did!