Wait...What Happened To Famous Footwear And Regal Movie Theater?

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Upon arriving to the Fishkill Town Center to shop for new and affordable kids shoes at Famous Footwear, the store was gone. And so was the Regal Movie Theater. The Bass shoe-store had left long ago. The Read Scout Reservation Shop is there, as is Dogtopia with all of their dogs, but Olivia’s Barber & Unisex Salon was gone as well.

Photo Credit: Screenshot of photo from WPDH.

Inside the former movie theater, the floor had been ripped up, and renovation work of some kind looked active. WPDH reported on October 4, 2024 that Facebook users of the East Fishkill Community Forum reported that the theater had closed. According to the radio station: “The person that posted the news of the closing, Heather L. Dini, also said that the workers had just found out the week prior. No other information on the closing of the theater was available at the time of this writing.”

On October 3rd, a photo of a man in a truck working on the forever-faded Regal Cinemas sign was taken and published to WPDH, a day before they published their news article about the closure.

ALBB has not verified with Regal Entertainment Group as to when they notified employees of the closure. The media outlet also reported that the movie theater group had announced dozens of closings: “Back in January 2023, Regal Cinemas announced that they would be closing 39 theaters across the U.S. and unfortunately that included a one Hudson Valley theater, the Cortlandt Town Center Regal 'United Artist Theaters' in Mohegan Lake.”

Upon the news of this suddenly almost vacant building, readers of ALBB chimed in with different reactions. Bespoke suit tailor David Reese said: “I remember a time of chaos... ruined dreams... this wasted land. But most of all, I remember The Road Warrior.”

Wearable art designer Selma Karaca said: “We are bankrupt but we have $ to supply all the wars in the other side of the world.”

Jillian Rotsky aka @therealpurpletutu said: “It's pretty dead. But there is an excellent wine store, Boutique Wines Spirits and Cider, and a great Indian restaurant!” OliveGaza and others agreed: “Gymkhana the Indian restaurant is 🔥 (esp the lunch buffet!)”

Now residents must drive further up to the Poughkeepsie Mall to find Famous Footwear and DSW for a wider variety of lower priced kids shoes. Plato’s Closet is coming to Poughkeepsie, and there are other consignment shops in the area to help with this.

ALBB readers also chimed in to say that Planet Fitness is moving in to the movie theater spot, which has been confirmed.

Inside The New Old Max's - Lyonshare Public House - During Their Soft Launch Party

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We see you peeping! And it’s not at the leaves, but through the new windows of the eatery that used to be Max’s on Main, after its complete transformation under new owners and has opened its front doors to welcome you into what is Lyonshare Public House.

The once warm, dark and cozy Max’s, adorned all year with Christmas lights accompanied by live music and Karaoke in the back corner, has completely transformed its look to be an equally as warm, white, brassy, dare we say “fancy”. The “f” word in Beacon (“fancy”) is to be used carefully, as some people in Beacon like fancy but not too fancy.

Lyonshare, brought to you by new co-owner Bud Schmeling, is like a gentle hand taking yours, telling you it’s OK to step into this beauty; to surround yourself with this white marble, brass table and toilet accents, and bistro inspired lighting, with notes from a black piano rising lightly from the former music corner. There may be no TVs, but you have your hand-held mini-computer phone device to watch anything from!

This spot might be referred to “The New Old Max’s” for a little white, much to any new business owner’s chagrin. But that’s how it works in Beacon. A property is known by its former personality for a time until it settles in, makes its own roots, and spreads out.

The Soft Launch Party

Attending Lyonshare’s soft launch party were a few local business celebrities, notably Terry Williams (some may know her as Terry Amoroso Greenough) and Vince Lemma from Antalek and Moore, as well as Jon Lombardi and Janelle Cruz from Carter’s (Carter is their young son). You may recognize Atticus Lanigan from her previous work with Beacon Farmers Market and trash and recycling. She’ll now be making sure you have a most pleasant dining experience. You may recognize other faces from past eateries, like Homespun, who were happy to find work in the new restaurant.

What Is “Lyonshare”?

The name Lyoneshare, Bud explains, pays homage to Capital John Lyon, “a legendary figure who navigated the waters of the Hudson River for 71 years never missing a day,” which is painted onto the portrait of the Captain hanging near the bar. Bud tells A Little Beacon Blog that he wanted to root the restaurant in the local, and was drawn to the river.

The captain was devoted to commanding ships from a young age, and was good with people. He was known to have celebrities on his ferry, including Babe Ruth and Theodore Roosevelt. John Lyon said to Theodore Roosevelt when he was running on the Bull Moose ticket: “You should have stayed at home. You shouldn’t break up the party.” You can read more about the captain here.

Much like Max’s, Lyonshare has a literary vibe. This space may inspire wordsmiths who care to pause to read the framed articles hanging on the wall. From the poem “O Captain! My Captain!” by Walt Whitman to past media coverage in the Village Voice of Bud’s former restaurant Black Betty in Williamsburg just before the tipping point turned over that Brooklyn neighborhood. Co-owner Bud Schmeling (pictured below) is an English major, for those who majoring in English is notable and sparks a fire deep inside them.

The Bathroom

Regular readers of A Little Beacon Blog may know that we love a good bathroom in Beacon. Some of the best are at Reserva Wine Bar, Beacon Bread/WTF, and The Beacon Movie Theater (at one point StoryScreen). The bathroom at Lyonshare does not disappoint. It comes with a fancy little antique lock on the door knob, and a real fancy faucet. Notable to old time Max’s patrons are the doors of the bathroom, which once had XX and XY to indicate Female and Male bathrooms. The doors now simply read TOILET and anyone is welcome within.

The dark green walls feel like a nod to an Adirondack green, which is common in these parts. Not sure ALBB has seen a bird perched on any other toilet rolls in Beacon.

Do take note of the oyster bar! Lyonshare is not messing around. While this was a soft launch night, and these photographs did not capture anyone in action just yet, you can see the layout.

For those who loved the paper on the tables for drawing with crayons, you will still have your paper. Though paper is associated with fancy, the striped napkin rolls on the table indicate it’s OK to get messy and comfortable.

The menu for the soft launched was scratched in pen. While it was a short stay for ALBB, there was a young child who was enjoying the Buttermilk Fried Chicken with Tart and Creamy Slaw and Biscuits very much.

The first menu has been released, which you can see here:

The Truth About Grocery Ice Cream Prices In The Freezer On Main Street In Beacon

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Example of a supportive comment at the top, followed by a insulting comment below. For businesses in Beacon or anywhere, slings at pricing for local business is tiring and can be more casually targeted at businesses run by people of color.

Last week, ALBB covered the opioid crisis related bankruptcy of Rite Aid as being the reason for their bare shelves. With the exception of the ice cream freezer, which employees said was broken. In response, one local reader, Lesly Deschler Canossi, commented via Instagram: “and leaving key food and molile pricing as only option on ice cream is just wrong.” She most likely meant the “Mobil” gas station in that typo. What is not a typo, however, is her intent of branding an image of pricing, which is misleading and untrue. The price of ice cream is nearly equal between Key Food and Rite Aid, with Rite Aid at times having the higher price.

Before we get started in this pricing deep dive, it must be recognized that there are people in Beacon who like to throw these punches at Key Food and Mobil, which are both locally owned by families who live in the community. Key Food is Yemeni American owned, and Mobil is South Asian American owned. When members of the Beacon community speak their rude remarks, is it racist? Islamophobic? Hangry?

It can’t be hangry since this is not the first time somebody took a swipe at Key Food for no reason. It has happened during a City Council Meeting, when Dennis Pavlov demanded that a bigger grocery store move in, for instance.

Are Local Contributions Recognized?

NAMI Ribbon PSA Campaign for Mental Health Awareness hanging outside key food on their trees, when the City Of Beacon denied NAMI from hanging them.

Key Food gives on a regular basis to organizations of Beacon, but are they recognized? This includes Key Food’s civic contributions, like when they donated 10’ of their parking lot years ago to be turned into mulched beds for trees to widen the feel of the sidewalk. Key Food also allowed PSA ribbons for the NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) white ribbon campaign in May, when Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White denied NAMI the ability to hang them on lamp posts. The City of Beacon was the only municipality in this region who denied NAMI. The ribbons were everywhere else. Key Food allowed the ribbons on the trees in their parking lot, so that NAMI could have some representation in Beacon.

Facts: The Real Price Of Ice Cream

Let’s look at the real important issue here: the price of ice cream in the freezer.

In a Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough vs cookie dough comparison, Key Food was $6.79 and Rite Aid was $7.29. Other flavors varied, where Key Food was higher than Rite Aid by a handful of cents. Mobil, which is really a convenience store owned by Shah and not attached to Mobil, came in at $8.99. This means Mobil (or, Shah) can only buy ice cream in much smaller quantities than either Key Food or Rite Aid, giving him less buying power to pass a deal to customers.

Of Talenti, Key Food is $.60 higher than Rite Aid. Hardly sticker shock.

Discounts and Deals On Ice Cream

What also must be discussed are the discounts and deals on ice cream and other items at both Rite Aid and Key Food. Both offer deals with a VIP card. Rite Aid makes you use your card to get the deal. Which is a loss of your private data. Rite Aid then profits off your data by selling it to data mining companies who then hit your email inbox with personalized, flavored spam.

Key Food in Beacon just scans their own card, and off you go with your bonus special deal. Last week at Key Food, Haagen-Daz Ice Cream was 2 for $8 on Assorted Flavors, which comes to $4 per pint.

When you’re getting the coupon, be sure you read the label. If you grab a box that isn’t covered in the deal, then you’re not going to get the deal. Like these Haagen-Daz Vanilla Milk Chocolate bars. You get 2 for $8 of the box of 3. Not the box of 6 mini versions.

Ok? Ok.

And don’t miss the sale on Stone Ridge Creamery ice cream, where it’s $3.99 today.

But Wait, There’s More!

Did you know that Haagan Daz pints are only 14 ozs? Not even the full 16oz.

So now who you going to be mad at?

Christmas In July 6 Month Holiday Advertising Sale With A Little Beacon Blog

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ATTN Main Street Storefronts!

Winter is the hardest time for all of us. It’s a time when businesses need to get the word out the most, but budgets are low as tourist traffic dies down and snow shovels are out.

ALBB is offering a Christmas In July sale on advertising! For Main Street Businesses only.

Lock in 6 months of advertising now and enjoy the promotion onward. Partner with us each week to get the exact message out you want.

WEEKLY AD PRICING

REGULAR $200/month
HOLIDAY SALE! $170/month
BEST DEAL $150/month (Discounted Sponsor Subscription program auto-billing)

INCLUDED

Storefront Photo
A square photo (your choice) of your business placed in the shopping guide + Logo.

Photo Gallery
A few pictures of your establishment.

Event Listings
List any and all of your events, and get them listed in ALBB’s Things To Do weekend newsletter.

Newsletter Weekend Feature
Guaranteed placement in our weekend newsletter, known as the “Things To Do In Beacon Guide” or “Retail Therapy Guide.”

Weekly Instagram Post
We will pull a photo from your Instagram every week & re-share it to our Instagram! Sometimes, we will come in & take photos of things we love & share them with our readers as well. *If you have a photo & specific writing that you want us to share, please email it to us by Wednesday of each week.*

Member Meetups
A monthly member networking meeting (optional)

Rumor Quelled: Restaurant Replacing Max’s Won’t Be A Steakhouse It Will Be Renovated Americana - With Oyster Bar!

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After the sale of the building that housed Max’s on Main went through, rumors swirled faster than a Hudson Valley micro-burst that the new restaurant would be a steakhouse. “It’s going to be like Peter Lugars! What has Beacon become!?” lamented some Beacon people, as they shook their heads, convinced that the last of the old Beacon restaurant bars were gone.

They weren’t totally wrong. The building that housed Joe’s Irish Pub on the other end of Main Street was sold by an generations deep Beacon citizen to new landlord realtors, one of whom branded herself as a “Social Justice Advocate Working at the Intersection of Philanthropy and Real Estate” who has since evicted an elderly man who is nearly deaf who was living there under Section 8 eligibility, as well as attempted evictions on others. Beacon’s Good Cause Eviction Law failed that man.

The doors are down at Lyonshare, making way for the new double doors.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Joe’s Irish Pub was replaced by Momo Valley, which moved from its vendor stall in the Hudson Valley Food Hall, a spot known for being an incubator of food businesses who eventually leave the nest for bricks and mortars of their own.

The building that housed Antalek and Moore Insurance Agency was sold by a generations deep Beacon citizen to a new owner, which ended the location of longtime Roma Nova (but find Roma Nova on Route 52 (Fishkill Avenue)! where Roma Nova permanently popped back up!), the barber, Bratt’s Florist, and Dutchess Community Outreach, who also offered a food pantry, were also pushed out by price and landlord negotiations. Dutchess Community Outreach did pop back up around the corner on Eliza Street. These are recent examples of businesses clinging to Beacon as they secure new leases when buildings turn over.

“I Can Assure You It Will Not Be A SteakHouse” Says New Owner

Enter one of Beacon’s newest building owners, Bud Schmeling, who bought the former Max’s building at 246 Main Street. “I was the manager of Peter Luger Steak House. That’s probably why people thought this would be a steak house. I can assure you, it will not be a steak house,” Bud told A Little Beacon Blog, after he reached out to this publication to quell such rumors and give us the inside scoop on his vision.

This building was not the first that Bud considered. “I was looking at other places,” Bud told ALBB. “Dogwood was for sale. We talked to them.” Dogwood, co-founded by former City Councilmember and current artist/builder George Mansfield, ended up selling Dogwood to local multi-real estate property and business holder, Brendan McAlpine.

Bud continued: “I came across this [246 Main Street]. Richie and his brother wanted to retire. They were ready. They left on their own terms. I have a good relationship with Richie. He has been helpful in the transition. No one came in and ran him out.”

ALBB can attest that Richie and Harvey Kaplan were selling the building before Harvey’s unexpected passing. Years ago Richie even asked ALBB if we wanted the building, to turn it into a hotel! We can barely pay our own electric bill and countless Roblox dollars to our kids, let alone college savings accounts. So we passed on the opportunity.

Were there Residential tenants OF the building?

The building has apartments upstairs that were low income housing. They were not in the best shape, but at times, employees became tenants. In fact, one of the older employees who was facing eviction from his apartment above the former Joe’s Irish Pub after its new owners came. He wasn’t being evicted for not paying rent. Those landlords wanted to increase his rent, so mounted a legal campaign to evict him. He was considering one of Richie’s apartments as a place to land, but settled elsewhere in Beacon, knowing the move would be temporary with the pending building sale.

Bud explained to ALBB: “As far as the tenants go, there were only a few left. Some of them actually worked for Richie. He gave them many months notice that he was selling the building and it needed to be vacant. That was the stipulation of the sale. They all had ample time to look for new lodgings, and we permitted them to stay as long as needed until they were settled. No one was upset or surprised as they knew early in the year that Richie sold the building. There weren’t any evictions. It went very smoothly.”

246 Main Street To Be Renovated To Original Historic Look

A photo of 246 Main Street from decades ago.
Photo Credit: Beacon Historical Society

Bud’s plans are to restore the building to its original look, based in part on a photo he found from the Beacon Historical Society. Did Bud know that the building had recently been designated historic, and that Richie and Harvey objected to the City of Beacon doing that? Fearing that it might hinder the sale of the building since any upgrades would need to fall within historic code which tends to be more expensive?

“No,” Bud told ALBB. “These are the plans I had for it anyway.”

Milk Washing Everything - Flipping The Look From Dark To Light

Former patrons will experience a total change from the outside to the inside of the building. According to a photo held by the Beacon Historic Society, the building was white washed with black windows.

“It is called milk washed,” But explained, “where you’ll see the original red brick under the white coating.” This aesthetic will be inside and out. The infamous dark wood bar is being replaced with a white quartz top. Regulars who were used to sitting in the warm wood might experience a pleasant surprise of fresh white quartz.

The tin ceilings will remain, but are being changed from black to antique white. The front door entrance will be grander, with double doors that are almost twice the height. The kitchen has been completely ripped out. “We need to keep it to code, so all of it is getting redone,” Bud confirmed. Outside the kitchen, where the service station used to be, will be the oyster bar. Bud showed this to ALBB by placing his body in the middle of the corner and spreading his long arms to approximate the size. His eyes lit up as he envisioned the events they could have around the oyster bar, with a similar bench layout of seating down the living room side of the restaurant.

The restaurant will be called Lyonshare.

Will It Be A Hotel Upstairs?

As Bud is renovating the building, ALBB asked him where he is staying. Did he buy something? Is he renting? “Rent is worse here in Beacon than it is in NYC. Finding someplace to rent has been difficult. I’m still searching.” Will he make himself an apartment upstairs? “The building is zoned as a hotel,” Bud told ALBB. “I think eventually it might be a hotel. Right now, we are just wanting to get the restaurant open. Maybe in 6 months we want to figure out what to do up there. Everyone I talked to thinks that would be a good idea.”

Bud says he is heartened by the sense of community in Beacon, and those in the restaurant business who want to help him. “All the other restaurant owners. People from Carter’s. The bar people. Everyone has been super helpful. They offered a list of vendors. I feel the sense of community. That has been very refreshing.”

Bud’s Entertainment, Music and Arts Background Will Bring More Things To Experience In Beacon

Bud opened Black Betty in Williamsburg, in 2000. Williamsburg at that time was undergoing a massive transformation, from blocks and blocks of garages - literal garage doors everywhere with bands playing behind them sometimes - to a neighborhood with baby strollers. “We were one of the first bar/restaurants in that first wave.” When they closed earlier than anticipated in 2009, one publication described Black Betty as “among the first of North Brooklyn’s early gentrifiers to be driven out of the neighborhood.”

In an article capturing what seemed to be a dramatic closing nine years later during a lease negotiation dual, Bud was quoted as saying: “‘We were definitely the first of a new breed of Williamsburg bars and performance places — and I don’t see something truly replacing Black Betty,’ said co-owner Bud Schmeling, whose intimate concert venue and attached Middle Eastern restaurant has drawn acts including Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Antibalas for free shows.” The food was also described as North African and Mediterranean.

Bud says he is digging into Beacon as his place of residence, plans to be at the restaurant every day, and intends to join the Elks Club. He was manager at Peter Luger for 14 years. After that, he was manager at Gage and Tollner. “It is there I met Adam Shepard,” Bud expands, “who was the executive chef and is designing our menu at Lyonshare.” Bud is also currently a senior writer at the award winning Victory Journal, a quarterly on sport and culture.

Are The People Of Beacon Satisfied?

Prior to this article publishing, ALBB described Bud’s stated plans to a focus group person who was committed to believing the rumor of the steakhouse concept. After a blink, the focus group person reflected: “Well, Beacon needs a steakhouse.” Proof that these Beacon people cannot be satisfied.

Based on Bud’s culinary and life experiences, seems like this renovation is going to bring another breath of fresh air to the block, which is flanked by Palestinian owned Ziatun, Isamu, Homespun, with Healthy In Color for carefully nutritionalized juices and salads across the street.

Looking forward to the reveal!

Beacon's Rite Aid Not Closing - It's Riding Out An Opioid Crisis Induced Bankruptcy This Summer

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Not the Nail Bar! Bare shelves of ice-cream, deodorant, makeup in Beacon’s hot retail summer set off readers to inquire what was going on with Rite Aid on Main Street. While there was no impact on beer, snack drinks, and vitamin supplements, inventory on the shelves has been dwindling these past months. “We’re not going anywhere,” one employee assured A Little Beacon Blog. “We have too much foot traffic. They aren’t closing our store.” Welcome to the Bankruptcy of Rite Aid 2024 Edition.

Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in October 2023, where it sought to address its debt, close stores it deemed under-performing, sell off non-core business, and sell its pharmacy benefit company, Elixir, as reported by Reuters. “Before it filed for bankruptcy, Rite Aid faced over 1,600 lawsuits alleging that pharmacy chain ignored red flags and illegally filled prescriptions for addictive opioid medication.” According to Reuters, Rite Aid was being sued by the Department of Justice, and several local governments in opioid lawsuits for “filling suspicious prescriptions for addictive opioid pain drugs.”

According to Becker’s Hospital Review’s report of a Bloomberg analysis of court documents, Rite had had 2,100 stores, of which, 1,700 of those had pharmacies.

According to a Beacon employee right here on Main Street, some vendors were skeptical of not getting paid, so have not been accepting re-orders on product. Or, said the employee, the system to make a re-order gets glitchy to use. “But it should be better by the end of summer. The bankruptcy is finished,” they told ALBB. On June 28, 2024, a U.S. bankruptcy judge approved Rite Aid's restructuring plan, “allowing the pharmacy chain to cut its debt by $2 billion and turn over control to a group of lenders,” Reuters reported, which it said saved 28,000 jobs. As for opioid related lawsuit payouts, 22,000 people stood to receive $250-$500 each, according to the article. Rite Aid reached settlements with 16 of the 17 states in which it operates in.

One ALBB reader and Rite Aid employee told ALBB via Instagram: “Beacon store is safe! Rite Aid is officially out of bankruptcy. Just a waiting game on getting the store fully stocked again 😅 As for the ice cream: the freezer is busted 😂🤣”

World Famous Bagel-ish Opens In Beacon - Thursdays Are For Locals - 10% Off

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When Bagel-ish owner Beth George, who recently opened in her new spot in the new-ish apartment building in the middle of Main Street, sees a bagel in your hand, she can tell by the inside that isn’t hers. That’s because Beth pays such close attention to each batch of many flavors of her bagels, that she will even adjust her dough prep based on the humidity outside. Bagel-ish bagels have this unique texture softness combo that leave you wanting another bite, and also wondering how it feels like you lowered your head onto the softest pillow, but you’re eating a salty bagel.

Thursday’s At Bagel-ish Are Locals Discount

A Little Beacon Blog welcomes Bagelish as a new sponsor of ALBB’s Things To Do In Beacon for our Restaurant Guide! With that, Beth wants to announce the newest thing for you to do on Thursdays: go to Bagelish for Locals 10% off Thursday! This local discount is good Hudson Valley wide. Their bagels are so good that they sell out fast. Gluten Free people can stop in also to discuss their dietary needs.

Owner Beth George is a world renown bagelist. She has trained people from over 15 countries and uses Mondays and Tuesdays to train other aspiring bagel makers.

Thursdays - Sundays are your days to go to Bagel-ish in Beacon. Hours do change often - which is on brand for the “ish” in Bagel-ish. Mark mid-morning as your time. Stock up on bagels if you need one super early. They freeze well and heat nicely in the morning.

Berte To Close This Summer After 6 Years In Business - Sale On Products and Fixtures

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Founded in 2018 by Aimée deSimone, Berte is a curated home decor and gift shop, specializing in handcrafted goods and modern design that bring joy and fun to your day to day. It is a boutique curated with products - "the kind you can actually live with, not just admire" Aimée aimed to make her shop "a haven of warm aesthetics and approachable design."

Coming to Beacon from the TV and Film industry, Aimée "harnessed my love of research, passion for storytelling, and discerning eye to craft a brand that places human beings at its very core. Inspired by my own travels and admiration for local shops, it's been a dream to see Berte become a must-visit destination for design-minded customers looking for inspiration and joy."

Adored by the media. Berte was featured in Glamour, HGTV, InStyle, ApartmentTherapy, Food& Wine, Chronogram, Hudson Valley Magazine, and other publications.

Neighboring businesses expressed sadness at the announcement. Vintage shop Blackbird Attic commented: "So sorry to hear of this news, I know how difficult the decision must have been 😞. I’ve always envied your shop, perfectly curated, you will be missed on Main! ♥️"

Fellow collaborator on local events, Hyperbole, also felt the loss: "We love being your neighbors and friends. Everything you’ve built and accomplished is so inspiring. We will miss you, Berte — but on to the next big project ❤️"

The jeweler King and Curated saw the positive: "What a great chapter it was! Glad it brought us together. Excited for you mama. All is well that ends well. You’ll be missed on Main. ❤️"

Berte’s Closing Letter

Aimée made the announcement through Berte’s Instagram:

“Hello Dear Friends,

“After six inspiring years, Berte will be closing its doors at the end of the summer.

“This has been a very difficult decision to make, but we are simply at a point where it is no longer sustainable to continue on with the business. I am deeply grateful for the support and love you have shown us over the years, and would like to celebrate our time together with a special closing sale.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of the Berte community. I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world to have worked on my dream shop for so long...something I never could have done without your support.”

Everything On Sale

The sale continues in a schedule of markdowns. Do visit the shop to get the latest.

July 8-17 - 30% off Full Price Inventory, 10% off Sale
July 18-24 - 40% off Full Price Inventory, 15% off Sale
July 25-31 - 50% off full price inventory, 20% off Sale

Shop Berte online.

“Did She Get Hit By A Bus Finally?” ALBB Goes To The Hospital

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Years ago when Katie first started the blog, and later pursued advertisers, she landed her first car dealership client. But before they said yes to investing their money into an advertising campaign, the manager asked Katie: “What happens if you get hit by a bus?” Bloggers are thought to be solo-workers, but one can’t run this blog alone. Needs a team, and I had one. While I am replaceable ;) I am not alone, I told him. I have team members. Fast forward to today, I’ve upgraded our “contract workers” status to employee. ALBB employs 2 people (Katie and Teslie) on payroll, as this is our full time job.

And then it happened. I disappeared.

The night of the 4th of July, Katie went to the hospital with stomach pain of 13 (between 1-10). A piercing side cramp with a side of mystery menstrual behavior made for a perfect storm of a surprise attack of Diverticulitis, as diagnosed by Peekskill’s NY Presbyterian (the best). After several blasts of 3 different antibiotics during an overnight hospital stay, Katie was released and went to the wonderful Women’s Center at Sun River Health, where she was told that the two were linked: a brewing intestinal infection can trigger menstrual movement and get everything out of whack. For months prior!

While on the ER bed, Katie texted her ALBB Co-pilot, Teslie, to hold it down. Katie also did some thinking. Things need to change. It’s been horrifying watching the trauma. Absorbing it, knowing that Israel’s treatment of Palestine has been going on for over 76 without most people (including Katie) saying anything. Watching the lies. Watching people turn their heads.

But not saying anything is worse. Personal life and professional. A person can only absorb so much without speaking. Or, when speaking, getting insulted, lied to, stalkers who sabotage, etc.

Therefore, here is what’s changing:

  • Donation Campaigns:
    ALBB will be having regular donation drives for ourselves (click here to donate online). This money goes to the business of ALBB. It’s why Teslie is here. It’s how Katie is here. We need your help all the time. Support independent media. Keep our voices free. Not free from charging you. Free from being held back from speaking.

  • Palestinian content:
    Will adapt again. To be turned into articles to tie locally when possible. We won’t let it disappear from our platform while big media is complicit in this genocide. But we need your help.

  • Beacon Local:
    Reporting locally is actually harder than Palestine. Because it’s small town living. But Palestine has cured Katie of this fear. Expect more hard news stories. But they require childcare! They take hours and days to research and write. And childcare costs.

Donate online or in person. Katie can meet you for a check, mail it, or you can donate here >

Deepest Thank Yous,
Katie and Teslie

Sky Diamond Jewelry One Of Several Jewelry Stores Targeted By Burglars; Suspects Have Been Arrested

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“We are saddened by the hit to our business, but grateful to a local resident whose swift action to call to the police helped to mitigate further loss and damage to our store. We appreciate the support from our community during this challenging time.”
— Sky Diamond Jewelry

On Thursday, June 13, 2024 at 4:30am, City of Beacon Police were called about a burglary in progress at Sky Diamond Jewelry at 226 Main Street, as reported by the Daily Voice. According to the article, the front door glass was broken, which is how investigators thought they got in. Sky Diamond has written in to thank the Beacon community: “We are saddened by the hit to our business, but grateful to a local resident whose swift action to call to the police helped to mitigate further loss and damage to our store. We appreciate the support from our community during this challenging time.”

According to the Highlands Current, the vehicle of the burglars was already speeding away when they approached. According to the articles, Beacon Police pursued the vehicle through town to the Newburgh/Beacon Bridge, and then stopped because they were going at high speeds.

That same morning, burglaries were also reported in at Jaymark Jewelers in Cold Spring, and at Jewelry Designs in Danbury. “According to police, two suspects were arrested in Newark, New Jersey in connection with the break-ins. Officers also recovered several pieces of stolen jewelry,” reported the Daily Voice.

Does Your Monday Need This? :: Business Directory Features 6/17/2024

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It's Monday! For citizens of Beacon, that means City Council Meetings (the back to back meetings are tonight). For self-employed business people, that means Go Time! Main Street businesses may be taking a breather from the weekend (or it's an extra heavy day) and service businesses are back at it. However your Monday is going, you may need to play this song by Gloria Gaynor on repeat: "I Will Survive." Good Luck and you got this.

Businesses can partner with A Little Beacon Blog on their promotion. Readers from New York City to all corners of the Hudson Valley read A Little Beacon blog. Subscribing as a promotional partner in our Business Directory guarantees your brand will be featured in our content. Just plan ahead, and let's share it!
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HUDSON VALLEY AUCTIONEERS
Been wondering what the Free Things are that keep appearing outside of 432 Main Street down near the Beacon Movie Theater? It is the storefront of Hudson Valley Auctioneers, LLC as they get ready for a new live auction. Their latest auction was Monday afternoon, and they offered all sorts of rare finds. Keep your eye on A Little Beacon Blog for when their next auction is.
Hudson Valley Auctioneers is a ALBB Business Directory member and you can find their listing in the Art category!

 
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THE LUMINOUS BRIDE
The Luminous Bride is the makeup loft located inside of Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique in the historic factory building at 1 East Main. Soft looks with clean, natural makeup for those who love looking like themselves, enhanced by the enchanting lift makeup can give them. Established.in NYC, Jules (Owner) was a regular artist at NY Fashion Week, and continues styling celebrities for press, print, TV and the red carpet. Book for Weddings, Special Occasions, Trials or Makeup Lessons if you're interested in learning yourself!
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MAKEUP BY JENNY
Celebrity Makeup Artist! Experience and Expertise = Consistently Beautiful Results! Specializing in Airbrush Makeup for TV, Film, Corporate Events, Print, Headshots, Editorial, Weddings & any occasion. 
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A Little Beacon Blog celebrates Black Lives Matter every day with our “Black Owned Businesses in the Hudson Valley Directory” — a directory of local companies to support which started in the racial re-awakening of the Black Lives Matter movement of 2020. To include as many businesses as possible, while keeping it easy for you to use, this directory is organized by region first, and then area of business. Listing in this Category is free for Black-owned or co-owned businesses. Email us to let us know about your business: editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com.

*SPECIAL FEATURE*
Accuprint
Your go-to resource for packing, shipping, printing and business service needs of the residents and businesses of Beacon, NY. 
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MARKETING
KATIE JAMES, INC.
The content artists at Katie James, Inc can enhance your Instagram with their visual and writing skills. With their reporting techniques, they can pull from you what is going on at your business that your readers and future customers want to see. Hire the experts at Katie James Inc. to breath more life into your Instagram.
FEATURED CLIENT: Eggbert's Free Range Farm
 
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PUBLIC RELATIONS
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle has over 270 TuneUp Webinars for you to stream anytime. Topics range from PR, Instagram, Facebook, Interviews with inspiring business owners, Newsletter strategy, and many other niche topics.

ALL TRAINING TUNEUP ONLINE CLASS WEBINARS
The best part of membership! Get education, inspiration, motivation, and fresh ideas for how to reach out to the media and boost your social media. Click here to see our entire collection.

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There are many CSA options in the Hudson Valley where you can find local meats, fresh fruits and vegetables, and more. Check out Common Ground Farm, Fishkill Farms, Obercreek Farm, and more! Support your local farmers!
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BEACON DENTAL
Beacon Dental is a group of friendly and experienced dentists and team that are dedicated to providing you with individual, high-quality care. Your health, smile and comfort are always their first priorities, and they will work with you to help you achieve and maintain excellent oral health and a beautiful smile. Teeth whitening available! Call to schedule an appointment with Dr. Hongli Wang and learn more about complete dentistry.
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THE MAIN OFFICE
The Main Office Space is a coworking and collaboration space located at 234 #1 Main Street, Beacon, NY, in the scenic Hudson Valley. A quick 70-minute train ride to NYC’s Grand Central Station, they are conveniently located for remote workers who still need access to all the City has to offer. Locals can rent desks weekly or monthly; visitors are welcome to rent space daily or for specific events. A Little Beacon Blog rents a desk there too!
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There are many opportunities to get your fitness on in Beacon & the Hudson Valley! From Crossfit, Yoga, and Barre, to your General Fitness Centers, Martial Arts, Cycle, and more.
VISIT FITNESS
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RIVER THERAPEUTIC MASSAGE
Karen Meyer, the owner of this practice, specializes in helping women manage stress, anxiety, muscular tension, and fatigue in a safe & nurturing environment. RTMBeacon is a Woman owned business, LGBTQ+ friendly, and a safe space for ALL.
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A Little Beacon Blog celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month yearly & supports Hispanic Owned Businesses in the Hudson Valley. This is a directory of local companies to support Hispanic Businesses & recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements. Listing in this Category is free for Hispanic-owned or co-owned businesses. Email us to let us know about your business: editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com.
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Miss Vicki's Music
Miss Vickie is part of the heart and soul of Beacon. She has been volunteering in the community and teaching music in Beacon for years and years. Her patient disposition with people of all ages makes guitar lessons not intimidating for beginners and novices. Born left-handed, she speaks to both sides of the brain and teaches and plays right handed. Miss Vickie can make house-calls for private guitar lessons for kids and/or adults. Private Classes go by the half-hour or hour.
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MEGAN & KENNETH
Megan & Kenneth proudly and unequivocally stand with and support the LGBTQI+ community. Their team is honored to serve partnerships of all genders, cultures, traditions, and strive to showcase diverse love stories throughout New York state. They love you, just as you are. Book the photoshoot. Capture the special moments.
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Add your business here. Rates start at $35/month with different pricing levels for budgets and exposure. Categories are included or created as businesses sponsor them. Gutters. Roofing. Automotive. Cycling. You name it.
Let's get to know your business!
PS: Businesses outside of Beacon are welcome to join. This Business Directory is open to all Hudson Valley businesses and services.
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Scenes From "There She Goes" Filmed In Beacon On Main Street From Inside Notions N Potions

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It was a rainy Thursday afternoon for the filming of the movie “There She Goes,” starring Rachael Leigh Cook (“She’s All That”) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Pitch Perfect” and "Ghosts"). At 11am-ish, part of Main Street closed down from Luxe Optique to Bank Square. People could walk down the sidewalk, but it was clear there was a movie filming on one side of the sidewalk. It wasn’t clear if people could shop or not, so many just stopped and stared.

The door was open at Notions N Potions, and owner Sheryl Glickman was standing outside, also watching. A Little Beacon Blog hopped over to say hello. There were two background actors (extras) placed in her doorway, and rumblings on set were that they were getting close to filming. Everyone was getting into their places. So, Sheryl and this blogger sat in Shery’s tarot card reading chairs in her front window to watch the scene unfold.

In the first video, the “walk and talk” rolled by with Rachael and Utkarsh walking and talking to each other, in a build up of a heated moment. Next thing we knew, the actors were headed back down the sidewalk, this time, throwing ice at each other from their drinks! Much to our surprise, the actors actually ducked into Notions N Potions in an unscripted moment. Watch that in the third video. All videos are below.

A March, Storytelling and Poetry Commemoration For Nakba 1948 Happening May 15th From Train Station to Pohill Park

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The Beacon Ceasefire Coalition has organized a march to commemorate the 1948 Nakba of Palestine. According to Wikipedia: “The Nakba (Arabic: النَّكْبَة an-Nakba, lit. 'the catastrophe') was the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians in Mandatory Palestine during the 1948 Palestine war through their violent displacement and dispossession of land, property, and belongings, along with the destruction of their society, culture, identity, political rights, and national aspirations. The term is also used to describe the ongoing persecution and displacement of Palestinians by Israel. As a whole, it covers the fracturing of Palestinian society and the long-running rejection of the right of return for Palestinian refugees and their descendants.” Israel celebrates this time as “Israeli Independence Day,” which began their sanctioned occupation of Palestine.

Locally, the Palestinian restaurant, Ziatun, is historically closed on this day.

Says the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition press release: “We will have storytellers, poetry, and community to remember the catastrophe that expelled over 760,000 Palestinians, wiped out 531 villages, and killed 15,000 Palestinians. The Nakba resulted in over 7 million present-day refugees and a global Palestinian diaspora. We welcome the Hudson Valley community to honor this day with us, and to march before sharing tea, stories and healing in the park followed by a candlelight vigil.”

*Marchers will meet at 4:45 PM on the river side of the Beacon Train Station (near the Sloop Club - 2 Red Flynn Drive, Beacon) before marching together to Polhill Park (access details below)

*Those who prefer to not march may meet us directly at Polhill Park at 5PM (Main St & South Ave, Beacon)

*Event is fully outdoors & rain or shine so please bring rain gear and other comforts as needed

*Flyer by Parisa Karami

MAY 15TH NAKBA COMMEMORATION @ BEACON ACCESSIBILITY

MASKS & DISTANCING: Event is fully outdoors. Masking is encouraged, but will not be required. Masks will be available at both meetup spots (outside train station & at Polhill Park). Polhill Park is small so distancing might be challenging, depending on attendance.

PARKING & TRANSIT:

MARCH: Marchers will meet at 4:45 PM on the river side of the Beacon Train Station (Grassy area, with paved sidewalk close by, near the Sloop Club - 2 Red Flynn Drive, Beacon). There is very limited free parking there, with more nearby at Pete & Toshi Seeger River Park (paved 0.2 mile away). Parking within the train station is paid using the meters near the platform entrance.

POLHILL PARK: Non-marchers can meet at 5PM at Polhill Park (Main St & South Ave, Beacon). Parking available on nearby side streets and on Main St - just be mindful of signs indicating where not to park!

RETURNING TO YOUR CAR FROM POLHILL PARK: Organizers will be available to walk with marchers in groups back to our cars at the Beacon Train Station from Polhill Park, as it will be dark when the event ends ~8PM. Rides are also available back to the Beacon Train Station; please tap an organizer during the event or respond to this email if you’d like a ride back.

PUBLIC TRANSIT: The Beacon Train Station can be reached via MetroNorth, and the Beacon Free Loop bus services both the train station and Polhill Park.

MARCH: We will march up the paved sidewalk from the Beacon Train Station up Beekman Ave to Polhill Park. The walk is largely uphill and 0.6 miles long, with no stairs. Those who do not wish to march can meet us directly at Polhill Park at 5PM.

OTHER DETAILS: Event is rain or shine, so be sure to look at the forecast and bring rain gear if needed! Some folding/camp chairs & picnic table seating will be available at Polhill Park, and you can also bring your own chair. A single-seat, all-gender (but not accessible - 1 step up and narrow doorframe) bathroom is available across the street at Bank Square Coffeehouse until it closes at 7PM. We’ll have a family-friendly kite-making station.

Thank you to Celebrate 845 for their Accessibility Checklist!

New To The Restaurant Guide! Bagelish & Nilufers Home Kitchen Plus The New Ice Cream Spot Located Inside The HV Food Hall

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ALBB’s Restaurant Guide has been updated! This list changes daily. As restaurants open and close, try new menus, & new methods. We monitor their social media, but if you know of something different than what is on this list, please let us know!

Bagelish & Nilufer Home Kitchen have recently opened right here on Main St in Beacon and added to the Restaurant Guide.

Bagelish

“Experience the Extra-Ordinary”… bagels are produced with a unique process using specially milled flour with no bleaching agents or bromides. When possible, they source locally produced flour, butter, bacon, salmon, and coffee. For their ethnically diverse offerings, they source ingredients from around the globe, including Lebanese extra virgin olive oil, Lebanese za’atar, Irish cheddar, Korean and Portuguese sea salts.

Located at 226 Main St.

Nilufer Home Kitchen

Executive Chef, Numerologist, Life Coach, EFT Therapist… a Turkish table offering breakfast and lighter fare prevail.

Five Pennies Creamery

And incase you missed it on our Instagram… Five Pennies Creamery has opened up in the Hudson Valley Food Hall!

Beacon’s newest family-owned business. We’ve all been waiting. Overheard at the new countertop: “We heard you were coming to Beacon! We have been waiting ever since!”

Owner Dan the Ice-cream Man makes the icecream in the Food Hall. That’s right - 100 flavors made right here on Main Street. What are the flavors? Well, there are many didferent variations of chocolate ice-cream, for instance. Several variations of coconut icecream. Not all at once, but in rotation. There’s a chance there will be different flavors each time you come. Flavors like Toasted Coconut, Cookie Dough, pralines & Cream, Smurfs, Cookies & Cream, Banana Pudding, Chocolate, Vanilla, and others are ready to be scooped. Waffle cones are available. Chunky ice-cream is the norm. Swirls of flavor are prominent.

Hudson Valley Food Hall is a sponsor of ALBB’s Restaurant Guide! Making features like this possible. With sprinkles on top.

Cold Spring Farmers' Market Opens Earlier For Summer Hours With New Vendors

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This just in from the Cold Spring Farmers’ Market, as first reported by Eggbert’s Free Range Farm - earlier hours and new vendors:

“The market is switching over to our SUMMER HOURS this weekend! Which means that the market begins at 8:30 AM - 1 PM. Even more time for shopping and eating and picnicking! Also because of the switch to summer hours, we also have some new vendors coming for the season, make sure you walk around and peruse the new makers!”