How one new business reflects Randolph’s interconnected, local-first economy
In Vermont, the places where we buy our food matter more than we admit. They become part of our routines, our dinner prep shortcuts when in a bind, our sense of home. When one closes, the absence is felt. When one opens, the whole town pays attention.
When I sat down with Jessica for this story, I was curious but also a little doubtful, mostly because I loved Chef’s and was somewhat wary of change. That feeling faded fast. She’s easy to talk to, quick to laugh, and genuinely invested in our community. The Depot makes that impression even stronger, with freshly sanded floors so bright they feel new again. If the partially refinished space is any indication, people are going to love what’s taking shape there. By the end of our conversation, it felt less like an interview and more like getting to know a new neighbor.
A community moment, and a new downtown market
The return of a neighborhood market may feel simple on the surface, but it is happening against a backdrop that is anything but simple. Across the country, independent food businesses are navigating a difficult landscape. The National Restaurant Association reports that 42 percent of restaurants were not profitable this past year, squeezed by rising food prices and higher labor costs. The James Beard Foundation’s 2026 Independent Restaurant Industry Report describes a “recalibrated reality” shaped by cost pressures, volatile ingredient pricing, and fragile margins.
Even so, in towns like Randolph, people keep stepping forward. They do it not because the numbers are easy, but because there’s a magic here and folks want to make an impact.
That is the landscape Jessica Whitlock is stepping into as she prepares to open Goldie’s Village Market, a hybrid space that is part neighborhood market, part café, and part prepared-foods hub. She approaches the work with a practical outlook, a good sense of humor, and a solid understanding of what makes Randolph tick. “I told my friends, we’ve got to get some good sourdough in here,” she said, laughing. “People in this town are serious about their bread.”
She’s right. Randolph has opinions about bread, about coffee, about the growler station that closed years ago but still comes up in conversation. And it certainly has opinions about the Depot, a building that has anchored downtown for generations.
Investing in Randolph
Jessica and her husband, Dave Whitlock, a Braintree native, recently purchased the Depot building together. It is a commitment not only to a business but to the long-term health of downtown. “Dave and I made a conscious decision that we want to invest locally,” she said. “We relocated back to Braintree two and a half years ago, and when we knew this building was becoming vacant, we started to seriously consider it. We want to be good stewards of the building. It’s such a beautiful focal point of the community.”
Goldie’s will open with a familiar layout: the market downstairs, the kitchen in the back, and seating upstairs. Outdoor eating will return in the summer. The focus is on fresh, local food, high-quality staples, and a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. The name comes from the Whitlocks’ golden retriever. “Her name’s Nori, like the seaweed,” Jessica said. “She was born in downtown Randolph, actually.”
When she talks about food, both what she plans to prepare and what she plans to stock, Jessica has a vision. She is working to secure daily deliveries of fresh, locally sourced bread, including sourdough. Goldie’s will also carry a curated selection of cheese, artisanal wines, local beer, baked goods, pantry staples, and seasonal produce when available. A small display of kitchenware and home goods will round out the shelves.
Prepared foods will rotate. She is planning grain bowls, quesadillas with green goddess sauce, spaghetti bolognese, yogurt parfaits, and protein-packed snack bites. Sandwiches will range from a grilled chicken brioche with homemade kale slaw to a vegetarian option with goat cheese, sprouts, cucumber, tomato, red onion, avocado, and lettuce. “There’ll be some trial and error,” she said. “See what people respond to. What people enjoy.”
She hopes the bowls become a local favorite. One includes kale, brown rice, apple, goat cheese, almonds, sweet potato, and a homemade dressing. She'll also have breakfast sandwiches. The idea is simple: meals that feel good, taste good, and keep people going through the day.
Whitlock is reconnecting with a few of the supplier relationships Chef’s Market had, but she is also expanding. “There are so many creative local makers, food makers,” she said. “The opportunities are endless.” Her goal is for Goldie’s to become a reliable outlet for local farmers, bakers, and artisans while keeping prices accessible. “Local matters,” she said, “but so does affordability.”
It is a balance many small food businesses are trying to strike in 2026, as cost pressures and ingredient volatility make long-term planning harder. Her approach—start local, stay flexible, and keep prices within reach—reflects the kind of steady, incremental strategy that helps independent markets stay resilient.
Goldie’s arrives at a moment when Randolph’s economic landscape is shifting and strengthening. Gifford Health Care remains the region’s largest employer. Manufacturing continues to provide skilled, well-paid jobs. VTSU–Randolph brings students, faculty, and innovation. Chandler Center for the Arts anchors the cultural life of the region. DuBois & King, the state’s largest engineering firm, continues its longstanding commitment to the area. Dozens of small businesses keep the downtown active. Three new childcare centers have opened, adding more than 100 slots, with more on the way. Housing remains a challenge, especially with the closure of RACDC, but new partnerships and state initiatives are emerging. Progress is slow but will be evident in time.
Goldie’s should fit right in
Goldie’s represents the kind of incremental, community-driven investment that has kept Randolph’s downtown resilient. Small businesses step into spaces without long vacancies (One Main notwithstanding). Owners understand the town’s rhythms. Customers show up even when economic pressures mount.
Jessica is not trying to remake the town. She is trying to contribute to the version of Randolph that already exists, one that values local food, practical choices, and a downtown that feels alive. Her background fits the work. She grew up around food service. Her mother worked in a college cafeteria and grocery store, and her brother managed a Massachusetts grocery chain. She spent more than a decade in Boston restaurants, from coat check to events manager, including time at Harpoon Brewery. Her professional career is in marketing and communications. “It feels like a perfect marrying of skills,” she said. “Food service and customer experience.”
Jessica is targeting a late June opening, with early July as a backup depending on inspections and equipment updates. Hours will mirror the previous operation, running Wednesday through Sunday from morning through early evening, with the possibility of expanding once the business finds its rhythm. Outdoor seating will return. The space will be cleaned up, refreshed, and planted with shrubs and flowers to create a welcoming summer spot.
The community response has already been strong. “Even the locksmith said, ‘We’re so excited this building isn’t going to waste away,’” Whitlock said. “It’s been overwhelming, in a good way.”
Randolph has long cared about this building, about good food, and about people who invest in the town with a long-term focus. The Whitlocks appear to be those people. Goldie’s Village Market will open its doors around parade day. When it does, the Depot will undoubtedly feel alive again. Thanks, Jessica & Dave!
Jessica would love to hear from prospective employees and local producers. Contact her online here or by email: [email protected]
