B A A H A U S
Sandy
(whose full name is Sandy Mattera but no one on Vashon would even know who
that is; Sandy is JUST Sandy, sort of like Cher or Sting) is the longtime
(since 1976) proprietor of Harbor Mercantile, which also isn't known by
its actual name---it's always referred to as "The Burton Store."
Sandy is living proof of small town values, hearts of gold and all those
other qualities you thought disappeared at the close of the Eisenhower Admininstration.
But No!! They are alive and well in Burton, where Sandy presides over a
tiny but packed-with-everything-you-REALLY-need grocery and hardware store.
Sandy is an unofficial social worker, credit advisor/banker, hand-holder
and all-around community rock who is available to just about anyone in need,
even the animals.
She DONATES between 50 and 100 lbs of food a week to BaaHaus, so that Cathy Cow was able to dine on Fresh Express Field Greens Salad (her favorite--with just the right balance of arugula and bitter greens), and the pigs can get some buttermilk and bananas in their regular diet along with the occasional bagel. (Many of the mini-pigs are low in potassium so bananas are a real boon for BaaHaus.) Fresh baby spinach for the rabbits? Of course. We can even use the lemons and limes as air fresheners in the piggery...well, everyone needs an air freshener on occasion, right?
Sandy also handles our bulk ordering of produce (50 lb sacks of potatoes, kale, apples, carrots, etc. all fresh from Charlie's Wholesale Produce) at a considerable financial savings to BaaHaus. And she maintains a change jar for BaaHaus donations. Sandy is a great liaison to the community for us and an unfailing champion of compassion for animals.
BaaHaus enjoys the help and support of several small businesses on the island; Sandy and the Burton Store are the first in a series of webpage acknowledgements. We very much appreciate Sandy's dedication to improving life for every living thing on Vashon.
