We actually exist. We are a family of six, all of whom are owners of and contributors to the store. The Florida Ryders will be there almost every day. The foreign Ryders will visit often and contribute frequently in other ways. Every one has already made major contributions to the store’s conception. As a family and as individuals we have trekked around virtually every major country in the world (and many minor ones) searching for great food—in restaurants, gourmet shops, bakeries, cheese stores, farmers’ markets and farms. There is no significant wine region in the world we haven’t tasted through. We spent our lives with one of America’s finest wine cellars in our home. There is no great wine we haven’t tasted. We’ve owned restaurants, we’ve invested in others; plain and fancy. We all cook, and we are all pretty good. We have created an enormous store of food knowledge. RYDER’S is where we will share it.

*Rob Ryder is the boss. He went to the Cornell Hotel School and worked in several restaurants in Germany and New York before starting his own restaurant 25 years ago. He has owned and run bbq joints, a country inn and a pub. He’s the most experienced bbq pitmaster in New England and a seasoned restaurateur.

*Darlene Ryder is Rob’s mom. She is in charge of taste and style. She designed the interior of the store and worked with the architect to design the building and with the landscape architect to transform the property. She’s in charge of RYDER’S gift program and keeps Tom from being too crazy with the retail products he buys.

*Tom Ryder is Rob’s dad and Darlene’s sometime favorite husband of 57 years. He is in charge of retail products and the wine program. His mama used to say, “that boy’s a good eater.” He has spent a lifetime practicing. He used to run a lot of famous food magazines and was a well-known wine collector. He actually knows some stuff.

*Jacqueline Ryder is Rob’s wife. She is a person of delicate sensibilities and brings nutritional sense to our store. Her mom is Colombian and her South American cultural roots will show on the shelves. She is helping Darlene with RYDER’S gift program and will grow fresh herbs and vegetables for the store. She has also created what may become our biggest product: RYDER’S Fresh Dog Food.

*Shannon Ryder Bell is Rob’s eldest sister. She is a former fashion model who lives on a horse farm in Saratoga Springs, NY. She is a mother of four and wife of Dr. Lance Bell, who has created the brand imagery for RYDER’S. Shannon is a product spotter for Upstate New York and advises on nutrition. She’s a great cook and the family diplomat.

*Ashley Ryder Gengras is Rob’s younger sister. She is a former high school guidance counselor and Lacrosse coach in Hartford who could usually beat Rob at sports and now concentrates on beating her three children and husband Chip in golf and tennis. Ashley is our product spotter for New England and has been very influential in creating our Super Salad Bowl menu. She knows nutrition.

*Alyson Ryder Burks is Rob’s youngest sister. She is the mom of four young children who finds time to invest in real estate, run a significant investment portfolio and a charity. Aly lives in Seattle with her kids and husband Justin. She is our product spotter for the great northwest and knows more about everything than the rest of us. She joined Ash in insisting on Super Salad Bowls and spotted Mamas Lil’s Peppers and Dave’s Killer Bread.

BTW, the troops have now grown to 26 including husbands and children, but not counting an ark full of pets.