A “Fred” of all Trades:

Fred Mascolo started the business back in 1980, inspired by a simple idea: bring real value to the island of Martha’s Vineyard. Having spent summers on the Vineyard during his college years, Fred recognized that value-priced stores were limited and pricing was high. He took it upon himself to provide his friends and neighbors with access to high-quality goods at affordable rates. In natural Fred fashion, somehow knowing everything and everyone, he quickly became an island legend, known by locals as "Trader Fred."

Fred began sourcing seasonal excess inventory from leading independent retailers and offering it at compelling prices on the Vineyard. The concept was an immediate success, drawing in tourists, renters, seasonal owners, and year-round locals alike.

Fred and his brother, Ed, grew the business together, balancing areas of expertise between front-end customer service and back-end operations. Though Ed eventually branched out on his own ventures, it’s these family roots that make Trader Fred’s such a special place. 

Over the years, Fred expanded his footprint on the island with the acquisition of Jane Brown Realty, one of Martha’s Vineyard’s most established firms. Despite his unsurprising success in real estate, Trader Fred’s remained his true passion; well, that and cigars. 

His long-standing friendship with Carlito Fuente eventually merged those two passions into one, with Trader Fred’s becoming the island’s premium retailer of Arturo Fuente Cigars. From batteries to beach balls and sunglasses to cigars, locals trust they can find it at Fred’s. 

Following Fred’s passing in 2023, Ed made a promise to carry forward his brother’s legacy while evolving the concept for a new generation. 

With nearly four decades of experience in reverse logistics and value-added services across branded apparel, footwear, and home goods, Ed and his family have modernized the business while staying true to Fred’s legacy. Despite a modernized layout and expanded inventory, some things never change. The island community can always count on Trader Fred’s for quality, value, and plenty of the “good stuff.”

Everything You Need. Value You’ll Love. A Legacy You Can Trust.