Taylor Doose (Michael Winters)

Although he was mentioned as far back as The Pilot, Taylor Doose makes his entrance in this episode. Taylor owns and manages Doose’s Market, the grocery store in Stars Hollow where Dean is employed as a bag boy. We discover immediately that he is the driving force behind the festivals and celebrations in town, organising them and drumming up support for them from the townspeople. This also sets up the dynamic between Taylor and Luke, where Taylor tries to encourage Luke to join in a particular town event, while Luke resists him.