News broke that Dogwood was closing - was sold - but its co-creator George Mansfield - would not be there anymore. Reported in the Highlands Current, George said: “It breaks my heart, but for the last few years, many forces conspired against a business like this. It was a difficult decision, but I can’t subsidize it anymore.” Dogwood was originally co-founded in 2012 with Tom Schmitz and George Mansfield.

The Dogwood was purchased by Beacon-local Brendan McAlpine, who George reportedly approached 2 months ago about about selling. Brendan, after much anti-development resistance years ago (from the same people who are now talking about how to create lots of 200 square foot micro apartments everywhere), revitalized the Beacon Theater (see pictures here), turning it into the Story Screen movie theater with partners at the time (since moved on but the movie theater remains open), and brought apartments and offices to it. Brendan also brought back the Wonderbar (get that history here), the Bird & Bottle Inn in Garrison, and a farm distillery in northern Dutchess County. Brendan and his family were also rooted in the re-creation of the Roundhouse.

Brendan indicated that he may keep the vibe, but is leaving his options open. He told the newspaper: “Typically I walk into a new place and something jumps out right away,” he said. “At Wonderbar, it was Art Deco, brass, dark. Dogwood is trickier because it’s not a raw space or a place with a distinct look and feel, like Bird & Bottle. I’ll have to sit there alone for a few mornings.” He told the newspaper he would “most likely” keep the name, and may keep the “picture of a dog in a military uniform, the booths adorned with porcelain tiles by Beacon-based ModCraft, the Ron English posters that line the short hallway to the men’s room and the colored glass panels donated by Hudson Beach Glass that depict a dog bone.”

Being an artist himself, George’s signature look is all over Dogwood. On some of the tables, the decor was shellacked onto the tables in the form of sales receipts found in the building before George occupied it. According to the Highlands Current article, who gained insight from the Beacon Historical Society, the building was an ice-house in 1872, and was much taller in the 1850s. In 1884, it began its history as a bar/restaurant location.

Original Dogwood’s Last Day September 17 With A Big Concert

George made an announcement about his closure in his own words to his Instagram and Facebook:

As you may know, we have made the difficult decision to sell Dogwood. And it is with a heavy heart that we will close our doors finally on Sept 17th. Until then though we are determined to focus on all the wonderful memories created together under the Dogwood roof.

We never set out to simply open a bar. We wanted a space in which people could gather to find community and a true sense of place. Where strangers became friends, where love was found and celebrated, a place of comfort and solace. If these walls could talk they would speak of a beautiful, diverse, motley community and all their tales of joy and woe. They would speak of music, love , laughter and occasional tears.

As a community, we built Dogwood together. No one person can be given credit for the magic we created. It was a mosaic. It was a beautiful quilt sewn together over many years by many hands. It was a special place during a special time. We are blessed to have shared it together.

As special as Dogwood is to many it has also been home to many memorable bars of the past. Angelo’s, Papa Joe’s, Zep’s, Gallagher’s, Annie Cabe’s, to name a few, have occupied these walls. We are part of this continuum and have been honored to have continued a long tradition of maintaining a communal and cultural hub in Beacon. I am confident the new owners will continue this legacy.

I want to thank you all for your love, patronage and support. Without you it would just be a business and it has become far more important than that. It has become an integral part of this community fabric. You are a part of the Dogwood family and the memories created there together will forever be a part of each of us.

We hope to see you in these waning days to laugh and cry together, to celebrate our past and close this chapter with joy. There is still time for more memories.

With love and gratitude always,

George

The History Of Dogwood’s Location

Ever-important to Beaconites is the history of the buildings. What was there before? Whose house are you living in? George paid homage to the restaurants before his: He explained: “Angelo’s, Papa Joe’s, Zep’s, Gallagher’s, Annie Cabe’s, to name a few, have occupied these walls. We are part of this continuum and have been honored to have continued a long tradition of maintaining a communal and cultural hub in Beacon. I am confident the new owners will continue this legacy.”

Personally, I have many memories in Dogwood, especially the one where I casually met the artist Tera McPherson, who that night, was just another mom like me with her sons and husband, but is a powerhouse artist who I have since had the pleasure of assisting her in her website needs and buying some stickers.

30 Musical Acts Will Play September 17th

George says that 30 bands will preform on their Last Day. Those who are volunteering to do so, and some who have formed a band just to perform on this night.

A legacy is how people respond to you after you are gone. Clearly, George will be missed at what was the original Dogwood.

He is also not running for City Council again, after serving 8 terms. His body in his seat is historic. His institutional memory about Beacon and about the historical timeline of Beacaon’s City Council will go with him.

Find him at Quinn’s, where he has taken part ownership, as well as on the streets of Beacon, where he is always working on something.