Editor, Gazette-Journal:

We would like to congratulate Kelsick Market for winning the 2019 Retailer of the Year Award presented by the Retail Alliance, the nonprofit trade association that represents businesses across Hampton Roads, on May 30.

We certainly agree with the judges who commended Kelsick Market for “excellent customer service, visual merchandising, inviting aesthetics, product knowledge, cleanliness, neatness of store and signage, among other criteria.” All of this applies in addition to the wonderful food, excellent wines, and craft beer that Kelsick has served for nearly three decades under the ownership and guidance of Beth Haskell.

For us, it is personal, too. Beth Haskell has been our dear friend for all of these years. We have shared many of life’s joys and challenges with her. We learned that the bottom line with Beth is, and always has been, if you need something—whether it is a recipe, help with organizing a party, campaigning for a political candidate, someone to chair a committee, or some good active listening—Beth will be there.

That being said, we want to wish Kelsick’s new owner, Paige Drewry, the best in her new endeavor. She certainly comes with impressive credentials and has already demonstrated her love of fine food and good service. We are happy to see Kelsick in such fine hands.

Nancy and Robert “JJ” Orth

Gloucester, Va.