After 60 Years, Kenyon's Grist Mill Absent From 2019 Big E

USQUEPAUGH, RI — After more than six decades, the Rhode Island building at this year's Eastern States Exposition will look a little different. This year, Kenyon's Grist Mill will not serve up their signature clamcakes and chowder, one of the state's most iconic dishes.

The Drumm family, who has owned and operated the South County grist mill for generations, said the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation's decision to exclude them from this year's fair came as a shock, adding that their absence was not voluntary.

"Our contract was not renewed, much to our disbelief," the family wrote on Facebook. "It's a shame that after over 60 years of participation, this process could not be handled amicably or with any professional courtesy."

According to the Big E's website, Blount Clam Shack is serving this year's supply of chowder and clam cakes.

"This decision, to replace us with a direct competitor, was made by Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, the entity acting on behalf of the State of Rhode Island," Kenyon's wrote.

The Drumm family said the Commerce Corporation never sent an official letter stating why the business was excluded, and that the lack of notification made it impossible for them to remove their stored equipment from the Big E facility.

In a comment, the Commerce Corporation said that this year's years exhibition features a "revamped" Rhode Island building, featuring "exciting new vendors, as well as extensive renovations and infrastructure improvements."

" It’s a challenge every year balancing old favorites with new Rhode Island vendors during the open application process!" the statement read in part. "We're grateful for the many years that Kenyon's was a part of the Rhode Island experience at Big E ... While Kenyon’s is not part of our building this year, we have been in communication with them since April and look forward to continuing discussions with them about future events and the open application process for next year."

The Drumms thanked the public for their outpouring of support, as well as the West Springfield community for their years of patronage. A Kenyon's booth will be set up at the Durham Fair from Sept. 26 to 29, and the mill will hold an open house on October 19 to 20.

Patch has reached out to the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation and the Drumm family for comment.