For over four decades on Martha’s Vineyard, the Trader Fred’s name has stood for trust, quality, and passion.

In 1980, brothers Fred and Ed Mascolo founded Trader Fred's with a simple goal: bring quality goods to Martha's Vineyard at honest prices. What began as a local general store quickly became an island institution, known for everything from beach essentials to the unexpected treasures that kept customers coming back year after year.

Ever the visionary, Fred later expanded the concept to add a tucked-away humidor behind the store’s counter. Through Fred's longtime friendship with Carlos "Carlito" Fuente Jr., Trader Fred's became the only on-island retailer of Arturo Fuente Cigars, offering one of the Vineyard's most respected cigar selections.

Following Fred's passing in 2023, Ed and the Mascolo family made a commitment to continue what the brothers had started more than forty years earlier. Drawing on decades of experience in retail, logistics, and customer service, the family has continued to grow the cigar program while preserving everything that made it special.


Today, our humidor remains a reflection of Fred's passion, his friendship with the Fuente family, and our commitment to providing cigar enthusiasts with an authentic, welcoming experience worthy of his name.

“Fred didn’t just sell cigars. He built a community around them.”