Homecooked And Ready For Your Next Meal Or Event At Pratt’s Store

By Cookie Steponaitis

photo by provided

photo by provided

photo by provided

The phone has been ringing off the hook at Pratt’s Store and Deli in Bridport. People from all over the area and state are starting off their conversation with the comment, “I heard you have got really good food, so can we sign you up?” Started in 2014 with the realization that people wanted and needed a place to get good home cooked food for special events, Pratt’s Catering Business has continued to grow and keeping the kitchen lights on very late into the night to meet the demand.
    “We didn’t wake up early one day and decide to start catering,” explained Stacey Stone. “It has evolved quickly over the last three years and it really took off when we hired some ladies with extensive catering and deli experience as a way to not only expand the in-store offerings but our catering as well. Word spread quickly about the great homemade food and soon we found ourselves making food for birthdays, reunions, office parties, weddings, funeral receptions and more.” The ladies are Debbie Cram and Ayme Larrow and together with the Pratt family they can make anything you ask for.
    “We do have a menu of choices for people to work from,” shared Darwin Pratt. “But what I suggest that anyone interested in our food really do is stop in and talk to Stacy or give us a call. We are a family owned and run business and are not limited to a set menu.” Darwin paused a moment when asked to give the local favorite and acknowledged it seems to be homemade baked beans, macaroni and cheese, pulled pork and potato salad that many of their summer customers adored. Last weekend alone the crew from Pratt’s found themselves covering four events on the same day and handled a large wedding, funeral gathering and local events including a car show. Darwin chuckled and shared one story from last year where a local business ordered homemade pies for their staff as holiday gifts. “We literally made over forty pies in one night,” explained Darwin Pratt, “and the customers loved it!”
    Pratt’s Store was started in 1969 by Darwin and his parents and has been an anchor point in the local community approaching forty-nine years and the newest phase of operations shows no signs of slowing down. Whether you want an event for 2 or 400, Pratt’s Store is the place for home cooked food. All items are home made from scratch and there is a large variety of party platters, meat, cheese, veggies, fruit and cheese as well as brown bag lunches for sports teams or families on the go. Currently Pratt’s provides brown bag lunches for Middlebury College soccer, hockey, field hockey and football athletes as well as homemade bag lunches for Middlebury High School athletic teams.
    Purchasing a new van to move all of the delicious food in has worked out well but this past weekend every car, truck and vehicle owned was in play. There are new surprises and offerings on the docket for the spring and Darwin Pratt and the whole family are busy behind the scene thinking of ways to offer more while operating under the same beliefs that started this phase of their business in 2014. “We love food ourselves and pre-made preservative laden foods are everywhere. We simply stick to home cooked,” explained Stacy Stone. “We don’t choose ingredients that are cheaper, we choose what tastes good. The talent in our kitchen, mixed with the dedication and personal service of the family and hardworking staff has been a great combination. If you don’t see something on our menu you want, tell us and we’ll make it for you.”
    As the holidays approach and families make plans to gather in small and large numbers, do not forget to stop by Pratt’s Store for great meat, salads and home cooked meals and even see Stacy about catering a meal at your home. It is reasonable and the food is simply delectable.  Come on down to Pratt’s Store located at 2254 Route 22A in Bridport and see Darwin, Corey, Stacey and others in the family. Call them at (802) 758-2323 or look them up on Facebook. Whether you need gas, groceries, breakfast, lunch, dinner or a whole meal catered, Pratt’s is the place to be. The store has been a family centered place since 1969 and as always, the Pratt’s will give you their very best service and have foods that will keep you smiling and coming back for more. Catering has never been so personal an experience and can’t you smell the Mac & Cheese even now?