In its 25-year history, The Golden Apple has meant a lot of things to a lot of folks. To some, it’s a kitchenwares superstore. To others, it’s a specialty-foods mecca. To kids, it’s the jackpot of all candy stores. To a steady stream of lunch-goers, it’s the best deli in town. Whatever the definition may be, there tends to be a common admission among regulars — The Golden Apple is a tradition.

Ann Adams opened the store in the spring of 1984 inside the Sherwood Plaza Shopping Center. “I liked food, and I liked people,” she says, “so the idea just seemed to make sense. At the time, there was really nothing quite like us in town.”

In the 25 years since, The Golden Apple has continued to mold its identity to fit the needs of the community. In the mid-1990s, the store moved a few yards down Robinhood Road to its current location. The new building was double the size of the old one, but still carried the same small-town charm and neighborly service that regulars had come to expect. Its shamrock-green walls and colorful shelves make the space — virtually a warehouse — feel noticeably welcoming.

Not a whole lot has changed in the 14 years since the move. The customers make sure of it.

“People are so accustomed to this place that if you move one thing, they’ll notice, and they won’t always like it,” says Bill Adams, Ann’s son and current co-owner.

If there has been a noticeable change, it’s been in the merchandise stocked on the shelves. While the store was originally one of the few specialty-food stops around, it’s now seemingly in competition with every grocery store in town. Because of this, the store has put more focus into other areas, such as its expansive greeting-card and fine-wine sections.

Also, The Golden Apple has continued to stock a variety of quirky kitchen gadgets and housewares — think Williams-Sonoma with a hometown touch. And then there’s the store’s far-reaching candy section, with its rainbow-tinted jelly-bean wall and Godiva chocolate case.

Add it all up, and you’ve got a unique brand of shopping that triggers a sense of exploration.

“I always hear that we’re a fun place to shop at,” Ann says. “It’s not like shopping at a grocery store, where you have to buy stuff. You
can come in here and just look, and you’ll usually find something you want.”

Because of its unique offerings, The Golden Apple has become a great spot to shop for those hard-to-buy-for friends. The staff has also mastered the art of gift baskets. “Just tell us what the person you’re buying for likes, and we’ll do our best to come up with something that works,” Ann says. “We’ve sold gift baskets for $10 all the way up to $4,500, and everything in between.”

As intriguing as the shopping experience is at The Golden Apple, it’s the eating experience that we’re most fond of. The Adamses, along with longtime chef Beth Poulos, prepare nearly all of the items fresh daily, something reflected in the taste. “We tend to put a slightly different twist on popular items and make them our own,” Ann says.

As far as must-tries, it starts with the deli’s famed chicken salad. The secret is in the salad’s toasted pine nuts, which account for its slightly sweet flavor. The tuna salad, with black olives and pecans, is also a popular choice.

Another side-item favorite is Sarah Spaugh Salad — basically a bean salad with just the right amount of sugar and vinegar added. Other highlights include freshly made croissants, a hearty pimento-cheese spread, and a variety of vegetable spreads. If you’re looking for something a little more filling, there’s the deli’s prized Reuben. And if there’s any room left, be sure to try one of their decadent brownies or chocolate-chip cookies.

The Golden Apple has also developed a reputation as a top-notch catering company, handling crowds as small as 10 or as big as 2,000. Somewhere in the store, you can find a personalized letter from Oprah Winfrey thanking the staff for the wonderful job they did catering a Maya Angelou event.

As for the store’s future, Ann says a few changes are on the way. For starters, she’ll soon be stepping back and letting Bill take the reins. The oldest of Ann’s three sons, Bill was in high school when The Golden Apple opened. He’s spent the majority of the time since as a Golden Apple employee. “I’ve done a little bit of everything here,” he says.

Bill plans on making the store’s Web site a burgeoning spot for e-commerce. He hopes that customers will soon be able to order items and gift baskets with a few simple clicks.

He also envisions starting a wine bar in the near future with extended hours and weekly wine tastings.Regardless of the store’s future, Bill says he’s certain of one thing: The warm service and unique offerings that have defined The Golden Apple the past 25 years will remain firmly in place.

“I think that’s what really sets us apart from the big-box stores,” Bill says. “It’s our knowledge about the items we sell, and the advice we’re able to give our customers. I think we’re more than a place to shop and grab a bite to eat. We’re really a resource to the community.”

The Golden Apple is at 458 Robinhood Rd. The store is open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturdays (closed Sunday). For more information, call 336-768-1505 or go to http://www.thegoldenapplews.com.