Nakba To Be Commemorated In Middletown As Community Organizations March Through Town Sunday May 18th

Organized by Rally Middletown, who has been demonstrating consistently every Sunday in Middletown after appealing to Middletown's Town Council unsuccessfully to pass a ceasefire resolution as several neighboring municipalities did, this march will remember Palestinian victims of Israel's mass murder and ethnic cleansing.

Local community organizations will march through Middletown on Sunday, May 18th, 2025 to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, and call for an end to the genocide in Gaza. In 1948, Zionist militias killed 15,000 Palestinians and ethnically cleansed 700,000 Palestinians from what is now Israel. Palestinians refer to this event as the Nakba, or catastrophe. Israel refers to this time as their Declaration of Independence.

Community organizations such as Rally Middletown, A Little Beacon Blog, HeartBeads4Palestine, Hudson Valley for Free Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley, Mid-Hudson Valley DSA, New Paltz Women in Black, PSL Hudson Valley, SUNY BDS, Protect Orange County, Vets About Face, and Wednesday Walk for Black Lives are organizing this march to remember the victims of the Nakba. Local restaurant Ziatun from Beacon, NY is also sponsoring this march.

March Details

The march will take place on Sunday, May 18th, at 1:00 PM.

The march will begin and end at Thrall Park in Middletown, NY.

The event will begin with several speakers from local communities and community organizations. People will march through downtown Middletown and past Middletown City Hall, carrying banners, flags, and signs.

More About Palestine

The ethnic cleansing of Palestine continues to this day. Israel has prohibited Palestinians from returning to their homes for the past 77 years in violation of international law. Since October 2023, Israel has been waging a genocide against Gaza, at times cutting off food and water completely and planning the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza. We call on our government to enact an arms embargo on Israel until it ends its occupation and genocide of Gaza and allows Palestinian refugees to return to their homes as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.

About Rally Middletown

Rally Middletown is a grassroots coalition in Middletown, NY, organizing for Palestinian liberation and collective justice through direct action, political education, and mutual aid. We oppose all forms of oppression — local and global — and are committed to building people-power rooted in solidarity, care, and sustained community action.

Based in Middletown, NY, Rally Middletown is a grassroots collective that holds weekly rallies in solidarity with Palestine and is committed to building people-power through direct action, political education, and resistance to all forms of oppression.

Ziatun Closed For Nakba Day (Thursday). Here's A Refresher On What Nakba Is. Plus A Podcast

🖤♥️🤍💚 Please take note, Ziatun is closed this Thursday, May 15, 2025, to mark Nakba Day. “Nakba Day (aka ‘Memory of the Catastrophe’) is the day of commemoration for the Nakba, also known as the Palestinian Catastrophe, which comprised the destruction of Palestinian society and homeland in 1948, and the permanent displacement of a majority of the Palestinian people. It is generally commemorated on 15 May, the day after the Gregorian calendar date of the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948. For Palestinians, it is an annual day of commemoration of the displacement that preceded and followed Israel’s establishment,” as described in Wikipedia.

Ziatun will be open again on Friday for their regular daily open availability. 🖤♥️🤍💚

Meanwhile...Slime Factory To Open In Little White House At 300 Main Street While The Proposal Moves Through Planning Board

Before the submission of the redevelopment of 300 Main Street, Tina Lentini quietly announced to the business mom circuit that she was opening a slime factory for experiential birthday parties for kids and adults called Up In The Clouds Slime & Doh Co., It’s a hands-on experience to mix color, scent, texture, and charm into your own custom slime in 35-minute sessions, with pre-made kits and private party bookings available.

ALBB is no stranger to slime selling. Longtime readers will remember that we hosted a popup slime shop in our former office called A Little Beacon Space on Main Street when we were in the Telephone Building.

Tina is no stranger to Beacon. She is the Attendance Secretary at Sargent Elementary and has kids in the district with her husband Mike Lentini, who is the Beacon Girls Varsity Soccer Coach at Beacon High School. He also coaches a younger travel soccer program for the Wolves,

For 300 Main Street, Tina signed a 2 year lease and has first dibs on which storefront she wants in the new location when that time comes, she told A Little Beacon Blog. “I want to make something fun and inviting for kids and adults. I want people to feel like they have a place to go on Main Street where they can have a fun experience with their children. Something hands-on, using their imaginations & creating memories. I’ve lived in Beacon forever. We wanted to do something fun and new. Two years from now hopefully I have created a loving and fun business on Main Street. Fingers crossed we will be willing and able to keep it growing with a new beautiful space (when the time comes).”

The Little White Building At 300 Main Street Sells - Plans Are To Replace It With A Little Village - And Roses!

The building that is the little white house at 300 Main Street with the decaying yet mysterious storage garage behind it, was not on the market for long before it sold. According to a Douglas Elliman listing, the property, which includes both buildings and the entire paved lot, was listed for $900,000. The buyer, who also served as the listing agent, is the real estate agent Anthony Hardisty of Sam’s Realty. He told A Little Beacon Blog that the purchase price was $700,000.

People who knew this spot knew it for the now former owner Junko, the tiny but mighty woman who arranged and delivered flowers. She was also the go-to source for helium and air filled balloons so that you didn’t need to drive or bus up to Party City in Poughkeepsie. According to Anthony, she sold the building for “personal reasons” and will be continuing her flower delivery business, Flowers ‘N Gifts. However, upon calling Junko to confirm, Junko told A Little Beacon Blog: “300 Main Street sold. Closed. I am no longer delivering flowers.”

Proposed Replacement and Redevelopment Of 300 Main STreet

The proposed plans for 300 Main Street debuts at tonight’s Planning Board Meeting, represented by Taylor M. Palmer at the law firm Cuddy + Feder, who represent a majority of projects put before the Planning Board.

The plans do not ask for any special permissions to carry out the vision, as stated by Attorney Taylor in the letter of submission: “Please note that the instant Application has been designed to be fully zoning compliant. Accordingly, the Applicant understands that the Project does not require review by the Zoning Board of Appeals or the City Council.”

This is notable, as Beacon’s City Council has been known to put into place triggers where the project must come before City Council for approval, even if the Planning Board approves it. Making requests not already allowed in a property puts the project at risk if some of the loudest members of the public object to it, even if a majority of the public wants it.

An example would be if the project wanted a 4th floor in a zoning district that does not allow it as of right, like on Main Street in the CMS district. This intent would require permission from the City Council and a “give-back” to the community, like public green space. This example happened with the Alchamy building at 418 Main Street (also home to Kitchen and Coffee). A public green space was required to be there if they were to build a 4th floor, which they did (serves as the Penthouse). This project at 300 Main Street is proposing the natural maximum of 3 floors, so intends to stay within the Planning Board approvals.

According to the letter of submission, the architect is Aryeh Siegel, who is also the architect for a majority of commercial and residential projects in Beacon. The Applicant, Anthony Hardisty, proposes to construct a new 3-story building that will include both commercial space on the bottom, and residential above. Proposed are 8 residential apartments for the second and third floors (2 one-bedroom units and 2 two-bedroom units on each of the second and third floors), and 5 separate retail/commercial spaces of various sizes on the ground floor.

The intersection by 300 Main Street, showing its neighbors on all sides: Kumon, Happy Valley Arcade Bar, Glazed Over DOnuts, etc.
Photo Credit: Site Plan Approval Application for the project.

The property is quite long, which you can see in the images of the surrounding area. Making full use of it, the building, according to the architectural renderings and the application letter, has a flow built in to it they are calling a "retail arcade." The Happy Valley Arcade Bar is next door. While the building will front on Main Street, there would be a walkway along the east side of the building. "This walkway will provide pedestrian access to all 5 separate retail/commercial spaces." A second access point would be designed, as well as a ground-floor lobby for the residential apartments.

Visions for the walkway include 2 retail window displays, "several planters, and a trellis wall supporting climbing roses along the eastern lot line of the Premises," the letter details.

To be determined how people of Beacon will respond to this, as they aren’t used to fancy things. Some of them moved hard to block a nicely designed Dunkin’ Donuts, using the mechanism of banning all drive-thrus to carry out that move. In that case, special permission was not needed, as drive-thrus were already allowed. Killing the project, City Council, with the help of bike-lane advocates, banned all drive-thrus city-wide. Even though that location can entertain both bike-lanes and a drive-thru.

While this does sound like a fancy build at 300 Main Street, what’s coming next is quite messy. From a longtime Beacon citizen, Tina Lentini is opening Up In The Clouds Slime in the current white house, while this projects moves through the Planning Board process. Read all about it here.

What's On Deck For May's 2025 Planning Board Meeting: Telephone Building; 45 Beekman Street; Prophecy Theater, The Little White House With Decaying Garage on Main Street That Just Sold Etc.

Main Link To Entire Agenda
Len Warner
Karen Quiana
Kevin Byrne
Donna Francis
J. Randall Williams
David Jensen
Chair John Gunn

May 13, 2025
7:00 PM
Planning Board Agenda

The Planning Board will meet in the Municipal Center Courtroom at 7:00 p.m. A work session will take place at 7:00 p.m. for a training workshop, discussion of agenda items and/or topics of interest to the Planning Board. The regular meeting will begin immediately thereafter, but no later than 7:30p.m.

Approval of April 8, 2025, minutes

Regular Meeting

1. Continue public hearing and continue review of application for Site Plan Approval, Mixed-Use Commercial and Residential, 291 Main Street, submitted by Telephone Building Beacon, LLC.
   ALBB Editorial Note: This is for the proposal to build 2 buildings on either side of the Telephone Building at 291 Main Street. This building was designated historic. There are several issues with this project:
   - The design does not match the style of the historic building.
   - The proposed building in front almost touches the Telephone Building.
   - The proposed beach house in the back blocks the light from the basement and first floor of the building. In the past, this has been an issue with the historically designated Howland Cultural Center.
   - Measurements have been off with different aspects of this project, including the parking spaces under the beacon house that are delineated by columns. It is unclear how an architect could propose such a concept that does not work.
   - Each member of the Planning Board does not like the details of this project. It is not clear why they have not said no to this project, as it continues on into new months.

   2. Public hearing for Subdivision Approval and continue public hearing for SEQRA and Site Plan Approval, and continue review of applications for Site Plan and Subdivision Approval, Mixed-Use Commercial and Residential, 45 Beekman Street, High Street, and High Street, submitted by Beekman Arts Center LLC and Bay Ridge Studios LLC.
   - ALBB Editorial Note: The public has issues with the visual design of this project, so close to a historic district of Victorian houses.

   3. Public hearing and continue review of application for Site Plan Approval, accessory apartment, 10 Ackerman Street, submitted by Rachel Hutami.

   4. Continue review of applications for for Amended Special Use Permit and Amended Site Plan, hotel and restaurant, 1113 Wolcott Avenue, submitted by Prophecy Theater, LLC.
   - This project would be in the old Dutchess Reformed Church and had to re-invent itself after Beacon’s City Council, with pushes from some neighbors, restricted its open hours.

   5. Continue review of application for Subdivision Approval, Residential, 74 Anderson Street, submitted by Sadhna Gupta.

   6. Continue review of application for Site Plan Approval, 14 N Cedar Street, 4-unit multi-family dwelling, submitted by Cervone-Perrucci Realty.

   7. Review of application for Site Plan Approval, Mixed-Use Commercial and Residential, 300 Main Street, submitted by 300 Main LLC.
   - ALBB Editorial Note: This is the white house that was the little flower shop with the decaying storage garage behind it. It recently sold, and this is the proposal for the building that would replace it.

   8. Review of applications for Subdivision and Site Plan Approval, 5-unit multi-family dwelling, 193-195 Main Street, submitted by Kosova Lane Properties, LLC.

Architectural Review

1. Certificate of Appropriateness - 6 Prospect Street; New Single-Family House

2. Certificate of Appropriateness - 516 Main Street; Facade

Miscellaneous Business

1. Consider request for one (1) 90-day extension of Site Plan and Subdivision Approval, 37 units, "Beacon Views Townhouses" at Conklin Street, submitted by Beacon Views LLC.

2. Continue discussion of City Council request to review proposed Local Law to amend Chapter 223 concerning accessory apartment requirements.

3. City Council request to review proposed Local Law concerning use regulations for self-storage facilities.

On Tap For Tonight's City Council Workshop: Cannabis & Loitering; Drought Emergency Plan; Highway Department; CSEA

The City of Beacon has posted their Agenda items for tonight’s City Council Workshop Meeting. This meeting is open for the public to view/attend, but the public cannot speak. It is an opportunity for the lawmakers to meeting with the City Attorney to debate what laws they are about to enact, or money they are about to spend.

The meeting can be watched live on Zoom or at their YouTube channel.

1. Proposed Local Law Concerning the Drought Emergency Plan
Recent years have seen increases in drought conditions in the State of New York, Dutchess County and the City of Beacon (the “City”), with 2024 being a particularly dry year. In 2024, the City saw the enactment of several burn bans and a drought emergency declaration. The City acquires its potable water from three (3) reservoirs and three (3) water wells, which except for one (1) well, are all owned and operated by the City. Hence, to safeguard the general welfare, health, and safety of residents and businesses, Chapter 24 of the Beacon City Code, entitled “Drought Emergency Plan,” sets forth three (3) stages of drought emergencies for when the City’s reservoirs and/or water wells reach critical thresholds and accordingly provides restrictions on water usage which escalate with the drought’s severity.

2. Proposed Local Law Concerning Loitering
The State of New York legalized the possession and recreational sale and use of cannabis for adults over the age of 21 and also determined that adults may use cannabis in most public places where it is also legal to use tobacco products. As such, the possession and use of cannabis is largely preempted under New York State Law, meaning municipalities may not adopt more stringent laws concerning the lawful sale, use, and possession of cannabis than what is set forth under State law.

Section 145-3(C) currently provides “a person is guilty of loitering when he or she loiters or remains in a public place for the purpose of possessing or using marijuana or a controlled substance.” Therefore, the proposed local law amends Chapter 145 of the City Code to bring the City’s loitering law in conformance with State law concerning the consumption of cannabis in public places.

3. Proposed Amendments to the 2025 Budget
Amend the 2025 General Fund Highway Budget for the accumulated and unused time payout or one employee retirement Amend the 2025 General, Water and Sewer Fund Budgets for the cost-of-living increases in the CSEA Collective Bargaining Agreement (and Administration staff), which was not approved until after the 2025 Budget presentation. Amounts were accounted for in the contingency lines and will be transferred accordingly. Below is the proposed budget amendment. Proposed are transfers to the Salary and Payroll tax lines from the Contingency Fund.

Announcement of Next Meeting: May 19, 2025 at 7:00 p.m.

1. Executive Session: Real Property

A Revival! And Chicken Bang Bang :: Things To Do! 5-10-2025

Happy Mother's Day to those who celebrate. Do they make snow blowers for tree seeds? We'll be in the lilac patch. Trimming the trees. In hotter 🔥, wetter, better news, we have a revival from older days in Beacon. The Piggy Bank 2.0 is BACK in this season of 2.0s. Never heard of the Piggy Bank before? You must be in the new boats of people moving to or visiting Beacon. Read on. Right after the ink dried on the contract to buy what was then The Vault from the owner who was retiring, ALBB sat down with new partners but old friends, Kamel Jamal (of Beacon Bread Company Ziatun The Station Dispensary) and Greg Colon (of Draught Industries ) to hear their entrepreneurial story of how this fire got lit. It had been a year since Kamel had seen Greg at Draught, but Kamel and his wife Lena decided to swing in on one of their afternoon walks. Greg spotted them. They chatted, and then Greg put it out there: “What do you think about The Vault?” The idea spawned. Kamel cocked his head and said: “I’ll call you tomorrow.” During this interview, before the renovation started, ALBB asked: “Do you ever get nervous? Or are you just forward motion, ‘Let’s go…I see what it looks like.’” Greg answered first: “There’s always nerves. For me, it changes. Nervous at first. Then it turns into pure excitement; into fun things. Picking out the bar counters. Then closer to execution, more excitement. You need nerves.” Kamel answered next: “Every time I do this, the excitement starts. When does it start? When the hammer hits the nail. Then I say what the hell was I thinking.” “We’re creators,” Kamel continued. “The fact that we have this ability to create something. It’s never the destination for me. It’s the journey. We live day to day happy, sad. The final destination of life is 6 feet under. It’s the journey for me. The process. So many different emotions. It’s exciting. Once the doors are open - it’s at another level after the doors are open.” READ MORE & PICTURES BOOK YOUR EVENT PLACEMENT NOW Single purchases of Event Promotions are available. Membership for discounted recurring events are available. Shops, Restaurants, Beauty and Classes advertisers in ALBB's membership get events promoted as needed. Budget varies per number of listings. Rally and March: All Out For Gaza Who: Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley and partners partners. What: All Out for Palestine Rally and March Where: Kingston, NY Mini Park. 21 North Front St. Day: Saturday, May 10th, 2025 Time: 6PM Visuals: Banners, live music, participants are asked to wear black, bring pots and pans and an offering to leave in remembrance. “Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley, and our partners of conscience are calling people into the streets for an All Out for Palestine Rally and March,” say Tina Bernstein and Anna Jacobs, representatives for the group. “With the US as its collaborator, the Israeli Government has been committing a live-streamed genocide and now is brazenly proclaiming its plan to completely occupy Gaza and execute this plan through forced starvation and displacement of millions of Palestinians.” Information > Live @ The Yard: Gwen Laster New Muse 4tet Album Release Day: Saturday, May 10, 2025 Time: 7pm-10pm Price: $22, $25 at the Door Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY The jazz strings super group, New Muse 4tet, featuring Gwen Laster (Violin), Teddy Rankin-Parker (Cello), Melanie Dyer (Viola), and Andrew Dury (Drums) hit The Yard stage, presenting their new album "Keepers of the Flame" Check out more on Gwen Laster’s Projects HERE Check out more on Keepers of the Flame HERE Information > Live @ The Yard: Advance Base, Kristin Daelyn, and BODEGA DOG Day: Monday, May 12, 2025 Time: 7pm-10:30pm Price: $22, $25 at the Door Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY Advance Base is the melancholic soft rock recording project of Chicago, IL singer/songwriter Owen Ashworth (formerly of Casiotone for the Painfully Alone). Using a two-handed arsenal of electric piano, Omnichord, samplers, effect pedals & drum machines, Ashworth builds minimalist, heavy-hearted, & nostalgia-obsessed ballads around his conversational baritone. The warm, electronic sound of Advance Base has been described as "lo-fi," "depressed" & "weirdly uplifting." Information > Death Is Not Real: A Conscious Exploration of What Lies Beyond the Veil @ The Yard Day: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Time: 12pm-4pm Price: $22, $25 at the Door Location: The Yard, 4 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY This workshop explores ancient spiritual teachings, firsthand Near-Death Experience (NDE) accounts, and immersive practices such as guided meditations, sound journeys, and heart-brain coherence techniques. Participants will deepen their awareness and begin to cultivate an inner gnosis of what lies beyond. More than a discussion, this is an opportunity to transcend fear and glimpse the profound truth that death is not the end, but a doorway to deeper consciousness. Information > The Howland Cultural Center's 46th Anniversary GALA Celebration Day: Thursday, May 15, 2025 Time: 5:30-8:30pm Location: The Waterfall Room at the Roundhouse, Honoring two remarkable visionaries: Neil Caplan, Executive Director of the Bannerman Castle Trust, and Phil Ciganer, owner of the Towne Crier Cafe. Information > * * * SAVE THE DATES * * * White Rabbit White Rabbit Day: Friday, May 16, 2025 Time: 7pm Price: $10 Location: Multiple Backyards. See list below. Forbidden to leave his country, playwright Nassim Soleimanpour distilled the experience of an entire generation in a wild, utterly original play. White Rabbit, Red Rabbit is as much about contemporary Iran as it is about power dynamics in the rest of the world. No rehearsals. No director. No set. A different actor reads the script cold for the first time at each performance. 3 amazing Beacon neighbors are opening their backyards to allow this performance to come to fruition. Included with your ticket: light refreshments, snacks, and community before and after the show. DOUBLE CHECK DATES AND LOCATIONS BEFORE PURCHASING TICKETS. Date - Beacon Location - Performer: Friday, May 16th, 7 pm 119 Howland Ave. alexander florez Saturday, May 17th, 7 pm 24 Willow St. James Phillips Sunday, May 18th, 3 pm 99 E Main St. Twinkle Burke parking details can be found in the confirmation email. Information > EMS Community Safety & Education Day 2025 From Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps Day: Saturday, May 17, 2025 Time: 12pm-4pm Price: Free Location: The Elks Lodge, 900 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, NY Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps presents “EMS Community Safety & Education Day 2025.” This free event is designed to bring the community together for a day of learning, safety, and fun. Information > Community Organizations Will March Through Middletown to Commemorate the Nakba Day: Sunday, May 18, 2025 Time: 1pm Location: Thrall Park in Middletown, NY The march remembers Palestinian victims of ethnic cleansing and calls for an end to the Genocide in Gaza. Local community organizations march through Middletown to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Nakba and call for an end to the genocide in Gaza. In 1948, Zionist militias killed 15,000 and ethnically cleansed 700,000 Palestinians from what is now Israel. Palestinians refer to this event as the Nakba, or catastrophe. Community organizations such as Rally Middletown, ALittleBeaconBlog, HeartBeads4Palestine, Hudson Valley for Free Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley, Mid-Hudson Valley DSA, New Paltz Women in Black, PSL Hudson Valley, SUNY BDS, Protect Orange County, Vets About Face, and Wednesday Walk for Black Lives are organizing this march to remember the victims of the Nakba. Katie of A Little Beacon Blog will be one of the speakers for 2 minutes. She will speak on the importance of speaking out, and on censorship of the press she experienced in covering Palestine in her publication. What Matters? @ KUBE Day: Saturday, May 24, 2025 Time: 4-5:30p with reception to follow Price: $10 Donation Location: In the new Library and Archive of KuBe Art Center (the Old Beacon High School), 211 Fishkill Avenue, Beacon, NY. Join longtime public radio and print journalist Karen Michel and a group of panelists to experience what they feel their work does to effect dialogue and--perhaps-- joy. With Jerome Cohen, Gwen Laster, Deb Lucke, David Ross and Edwin Torres. There will be be Deep Thoughts, music, and audience participation. APPRECIATION: A Survivor’s Story of Hiroshima Day: Thursday, June 12, 2025 Time: 6-7pm Price: Free. Registration encouraged. Location: Howland Public Library, 313 Main Street, Beacon, NY Directed by Michael Dwyer and Chuck Gomez Information > * * * REGISTRATIONS * * * City of Beacon’s City-Wide Yard Sale Days: Saturday, June 14, 2025 Time: 9am-3pm Location: Beacon, NY 12508 Shop Beacon’s yards! If you want to be on the City’s map, you’ll need to register here and pay a fee. But you don’t need to register to have a yard sale on this day or any day. Information > Features from our Sponsors. Is your business on the menu? JOIN ALBB'S BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP FOR FEATURES HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY ☀️☀️☀️ This Saturday sun feeling like 🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛🐦‍⬛ 🪟 Perfect for ice cream made by Five Pennies Creamery at Hudson Valley Food Hall. They don’t import it. They mix it. 🍦🍨😋 Follow HV Food Hall's Chefs: Nami Yum Yum Roosevelt Bar Dulce Cielo Mexico Tara Fusion Cuisine Old Dhaka Coffee House Five Pennies Creamery Palmetto Burger Co. Hudson Valley Food Hall is a Sponsor! BAGEL-ISH 226 Main Street, Beacon, NY Help a sister out. Bagel-ish is usually impacted by the rain. People just........stay inside. But. Sunday is Mother's Day. And Bagel-ish has some discounts for you. Owner Beth will do the math. You just do the ordering. Instagram > Bagel-ish is a Sponsor! Bagel-ish is hiring! 226 Main Street, Beacon, NY Bakery Assistant/Sandwich Maker/Cashier RATE: $17 - $18 per hour - Part-time HOURS: Thursday 11-3/4; Saturday 11-3/4; Sunday 5am-11am Flexible schedule with food provided during shift. Work in a fun and upbeat environment. Interacting with customers and fellow employees.   ZIATUN 244 Main Street, Beacon, NY Oh wow...the chef, recipe developer, food stylist, photographer & food writer Chloe Walsh from LA/NYC/UK with 71.9K IG followers captured Ziatun's Shorba Laban dish. Like you needed another reason to order and enjoy this locally....Counting blessings that we live in Beacon for this good food. Ziatun is Palestinian-Owned. Open everyday. Instagram > Ziatun is a Sponsor! CARTER'S RESTAURANT 424 Main St. Ooh, it's looking busy over there at Carter's for Mother's Day! Let us know how the back patio feels with the new mural! Delivery: Call 845-743-6527 to place your order and name your time. Happy Hour Monday-Friday. Catering and Private Parties available. Instagram > Carters is a Sponsor! BEACON BREAD COMPANY 193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY Featuring this Bang Bang Chicken Sandwich was a tough call. Because we wanted to feature a very green and healthy salad Beacon Bread was also serving. But alas. Fries won. And cucumbers smothered in sauce. And fried onions. Wholesale, special orders, and events/catering available. Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor! Features from our Sponsors. Is your shop stocking your shelves? JOIN ALBB'S BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP FOR FEATURES Eggbert’s Free Range Farm Eggbert's Free Range Farm is entering back into their $8/dozen farm fresh eggs zone! Eggbert's said to their customers via IG: "Thank you so much for supporting us while we made investments into our flock to upgrade their coups for more protected shelter as our hens roam free in our grasses and fields. As always, here for you at markets and our online web shop for deliveries!" FARMERS MARKETS: Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 10am-1pm Sundays: Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm SHOP ONLINE: Online ordering is available 24/7. DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Website > Instagram > Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor! THE STATION DISPENSARY 463 Main Street, Beacon The Station Dispensary has it for you - the infused drink mixes and gummies from myhi. Notice that cocktail glass in the background? A strawberry with a straw on the rocks?  Yes. These slender packets go with that. Located in the old Beacon Police Station building on Main Street. Across from The Piggy Bank. 21+ Bring ID Open Daily from 11am-9pm. Instagram > The Station is a Sponsor, thank you! JOIN ALBB'S BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP FOR FEATURES R O C PILATES 124 Rombout Avenue, Beacon NY We made a new video for you! For those with knee pain. To show you an alternative to knee lunges. Check it out. Don't miss this 10 Pack Private Sale! For Mothers Day, but not just for moms. NEW SUBSCRIPTIONS: + Ready Plus+ 2 reformer classes and 2 tower classes $120 + Set Plus+ 4 reformer classes and 4 tower classes $230 + Go Plus+ 6 reformer classes and 6 tower classes $319 C L A S S E S Small Group or Private Lesson. Reformer Classes start at $35. Monday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 5pm Tuesday: 5:30pm Wednesday: 9am, 10am, 11am, 5pm Thursday: 5:30pm Friday: 9am Saturday: 9am, 10am Sunday: 9am Book Now > The Blushery 528 Main Street, Beacon NY With Rite Aid's closing in Beaecon, you need a new makeup source. The Blushery has your makeup. Yes, they can do your makeup, but they also sell mascara, lipstick, blush, etc. from FACE. Stop into the Blushery to pick one up! Located across from the Dummy Light near the Fishkill Creek waterfall. Book Online > This week’s Editorial Meeting was productive! Two Tin Shingle members came onto the call. Each with different needs in different fields. We handled both. They left with homework assignments. Talking SEO was refreshing! The foundation of organic SEO has not changed in 20 years. Ranking got a lot more competitive now with AI results being at the top, but we can navigate this. Join today for access to the next one. Read the Recap > Katie James Inc. produces the Instagram for Eggberts Free Range Farm. They take the photos, make the cooking videos, and repurpose all for advertising on A Little Beacon Blog. One aim at Katie James Inc. is fluidity with the client and the content needed for the moment. Hire Them > BUSINESSES IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY ART > ANTIQUES Hudson Valley Auctioneers > AUTOMOTIVE > TRANSPORTATION SERVICES Luxury Taxi Service, AQ Services, Inc from Luther Lopez > BEAUTY The Luminous Bride >  Makeup By Jenny Magliano > BLACK OWNED BUSINESSES See them here > BRANDING  >  MARKETING & PR Tin Shingle Katie James, Inc. DAYCARE PlayTivity DENTAL Beacon Dental ENTERTAINMENT + EVENT SPACE The Yard HEALTH AND WELLNESS > MASSAGE River Therapeutic Massage  HOME IMPROVEMENT > APPLIANCE REPAIR See them here > HISPANIC OWNED BUSINESS See them here > MUSIC Miss Vickie's Music List Your Business In The Business Directory >  LIST YOUR BUSINESS IN THE BUSINESS DIRECTORY Free Breakfast Program Day: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays Time: 6:30am-8:30am Location: 12 Hanna Lane, Beacon, NY 12508 They have a Wish List of food items! If you're in the mood to donate, find the list here. Information > FRIDAYS: Fareground's Free Community Dinner Day/Time: Fridays, 5:30pm-7:30pm Location: First Presbyterian, 50 Liberty Street, Beacon, NY 12508 Information > Volunteer > Donate > Read Our Latest Articles Advertise With Us! Stay Up To Date With City Council Meetings

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EMS Community Safety & Education Day 2025 From Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps

Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps presents “EMS Community Safety & Education Day 2025.” This free event is designed to bring the community together for a day of learning, safety, and fun.

WHERE: The Beacon Elk's Lodge, 900 Wolcott Ave. Beacon, NY 12508
WHEN: Saturday, May 17, 2025
TIME: 12 PM to 4 PM, rain or shine

Who Will Be There - Which Services

The City of Beacon Police Department and Nuvance Healthcare
Free car seat inspections, adjustments, and replacements if necessary.

Free installation and hauling off of old car seats included. Please bring your child for proper fitting. Fingerprinting Kits - Available for children to ensure their safety and security. (kits are handed back to the parents)

City of Beacon Fire Department

• Explore a real fire engine and learn about fire safety.

Us Coast Guard Auxiliary

• Engage with representatives and learn about water safety and emergency procedures.

Dutchess County Mental Health

• Resources and information about mental health services available in the community.

The Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County

o Information on volunteer opportunities and emergency preparedness.

Family Services of Dutchess County and The Grace Smith House

• Learn about resources for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.

Town of Fishkill Police Department with Police Cadets

• Meet the cadets and learn about their training and community involvement.

New York State Troopers

• Experience the seat belt rollover demonstration to understand the importance of seat belt safety.

New York State Department of Environmental Conservation

• Check out ATVs and learn about outdoor safety and environmental conservation.

The United States Marine Corps

• Engage with the Marines and learn about their role in community service and national security.

James Grabinski, Health Insurance

Saturday: Rally and March for Palestine: End the Occupation, Free Them All

“Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley, and our partners of conscience are calling people into the streets for an All Out for Palestine Rally and March,” say Tina Bernstein and Anna Jacobs, representatives for the group.

“With the US as its collaborator, the Israeli Government has been committing a live-streamed genocide and now is brazenly proclaiming its plan to completely occupy Gaza and execute this plan through forced starvation and displacement of millions of Palestinians.”

Tina Bernstein, who is Jewish, has been speaking out against the genocide of Palestinians since the day it started, and recorded a podcast episode with A Little Beacon Blog, describing her feelings so early in the extinction.

“As Jews, we have lived this before and recognize this moment as a dangerous rise in fascism, and an escalation of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. We will not stay silent and we will continue to stand up for Palestine, and demand the US government stop supporting Israel. We say ‘Not in our name’ and ‘Never Again is Now.’

Who: Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley and partners partners.
What: All Out for Palestine Rally and March
Where: Kingston, NY Mini Park. 21 North Front st
Day: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 6PM
Visuals: Banners, live music, participants are asked to wear black, bring pots and pans and an offering to leave in remembrance.

Walk-In Care Center Opens In Beacon - CareFull MD

The New walk-in center for urgent care, Carefull MD.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth

Laundry World, before it became CareFull MD.
Photo Credit: Carefull MD.

The closing of the laundromat at 252 Main Street was abrupt. And just like that…it was gone. Speculation of what would replace it had plenty of time to circulate, as nothing appeared for a while. And then something did. A renovation began inside. Wall partisans went up. A little time later, chairs filled what looked like would become a waiting room. Then the brand decals went up on the windows, officially signifying to the public that this would be a medical facility.

People of Beacon did want an urgent care of some sort in town. City Councilmembers had spoken about drawing medical companies to the properties down along the Fishkill Creek when they were mandating that those properties offer commercial as well as residential units. Currently, PM Pediatrics in Hopewell Junction is great for children, for a strep test or a potential broken bone. Excel Urgent Care is another, but has mixed reviews.

Enter CareFull MD, the new walk-in care facility next to Key Food that has opened after much anticipation. Owned by a single person, this facility is not a chain. The owner was searching for an ideal spot for a walk-in center as state funds became available to assist qualifying areas, and discovered Beacon. The long build-up to the opening was a result of how long it took to secure insurances.

CareFull MD intends to bridge the gap between visits to a primary care physician, and emergency room needs. They have a no-appointment-necessary policy and say they have affordable copay options.

On site, they have a lab for getting results quickly, X-ray machines, and COVID testing. Targeting the occupational and employment market with DOT physicals, drug/alcohol screenings, employment physicals, workers compensation and hazmat physical.

CareFull MD offers pediatric care, vaccinations, STD, illness and injuries and X-ray and lab testing.

Located at 252 Main Street next to Key Food.

"When Is Beacon's City-Wide Yard Sale?" - It Is The Second Saturday In June!

A reader wrote in to ask: “When is Beacon’s City Wide Yard Sale?” It is the 2nd Saturday in June, from 9am-3pm.

“Do I have to register to have my yard sale?” they continued. “I just want to put stuff out in my yard.” You can put stuff out in your yard! You don’t need to register. The only reason to register is if you want your yard address listed on the City of Beacon’s map. Information is below.

City of Beacon’s City-Wide Yard Sale
Days: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: Beacon, NY 12508
Shop Beacon’s yards! If you want to be on the City’s map, you’ll need to register here and pay a fee. But you don’t need to register to have a yard sale on this day or any day.
Information >

“Can I advertise my yard sale on A Little Beacon Blog?”
Sure! We created a special ad rate just for you. For $60, you can advertise your yard sale with us. To promote you, we will:

• Create a dedicated page for Yard Sales on Beacon’s City Wide Yard Sale date.

• List any yard address and theme that advertises with us. If you’re having a spread of records, or tools, or vintage, or a mixed bag. Whatever it is.

• Picture of your yard sale when you are set up. We can zoom it up to our Instagram and Facebook. Maybe one of you will do this, maybe none of you will do this. If a lot of you do this, then we could flood ALBB’s Instagram with yard sales that Saturday!

Happy dumpster diving.

Beacon Wellness Pharmacy Across The Street From Rite Aid Is Fully Stocked!

While we don’t know if another pharmacy is going to replace the big space that is currently Rite Aid, we do know that Beacon Wellness Pharmacy directly across the street is fully stocked! Yesterday, the pharmacy associate at the counter was already wearing her Spirit of Beacon t-shirt (the original limited edition version from our 2022 year when we unveiled the new logo).

Owner Enrique Reynoso opened Beacon Wellness Inc. in 2019, with corporate experience at both Rite Aid and Walgreens. He always offers the flu shot, and in the early days of COVID, he did all he could to source vaccines for those who wanted them.

Shelves are fully stocked with pain medication, allergy relief, Epson salts for the bath, travel hygiene products, loads of Beacon t-shirts and shot glasses, and more.

The isles are small, so this will not be a destination for wheelchair-bound people or for kids after school releases when they head to Rite Aid for snacks. But it is a store packed with resources, prescription medication and a caring staff.

Beacon Wellness Inc. is proof that you can have both independent, locally-owned stores in a mix with corporate big box in order to deliver on everyone’s needs and retail experience preferences.

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OPINION: Beacon City Council And Some People Of Beacon Should Be Cautious About Poo-Pooing Franchises and Corporate Box Chains

The announcing of the closing of Rite Aid in Beacon has rattled the people of Beacon. Beacon’s Rite Aid made it through the first bankruptcy, but all stores are closing in the second bankruptcy unless a brand like Walgreen’s parent company buys remaining stores and assets of the brand.

On Monday, Beacon’s City Council banned drive-thrus. The entire council, with the exception of Mayor Kyriacou, voted to ban drive-thrus. This came up because the Healey family on Rte. 52 proposed that they would use a large portion of their car dealership lot to transform into a Dunkin’ Donuts with 2 other commercial spaces connected and apartments above.

However, Councilperson Pam Weatherbee, who took it upon herself to spearhead a re-imagining of the entire Fishkill Corridor, with the blessing of Mayor Lee who appointed a Fishkill Corridor Committee to have a Group Think about it, does not want a Dunkin’ Donuts. Nor do some other people of Beacon who spoke loudly against it. Others who wanted a Dunkin' Donuts with a drive-thru didn't come to City Council Meetings to voice their opinion because they were busy doing their laundry at the laundromat next door because they don’t have washers and dryers in their homes. Councilperson George Mansfield felt that once you approve something like this, more fast food chains come “like a virus.”

Councilperson Jeff Domansky stated he much preferred somehow slowing the vehicular traffic on Rte. 52 - a major artery in and out of Beacon - so that he could enjoy a leisurely bike ride to a craft beer brewery like Industrial Arts Brewing. The brewery has “a phenomenal location with an amazing views and you can't beat the trip there,” he said before he voted to ban drive-thrus. A vote to essentially kill the Dunkin’ Donuts and accessibility measures for Autistic people, people with children, people who do still need to drive. But he didn't care. Nor did he care about the employment that a Dunkin' can provide as he was served a beer.

As for employment, which the Dunkin’ Donuts project was handing to Beacon, the Council was not impressed. When discussing self-storage facilities, that the Council was also considering banning because they aren’t sexy enough, Councilperson Amber Grant felt that self-storage facilities didn’t employ “enough” people.

Paul Yeaple, founder and owner of the hamburger joint Poppy’s as well as the building it was in (he sold the building to what became Meyer’s Olde Dutch), agreed that Dunkin’ Donuts didn’t employ “enough” people, ending his thoughts with “F*ck Dunkin’.” After selling his building, he went on to open a food truck at the river (another controversial topic with brick and mortars), and then a hot dog stand for one season.

Councilperson Paloma Wake felt that this drive-thru decision should not be a business first decision. But should be people and climate focused first decision. But businesses employ people. And people shop from businesses. Especially elderly and low income people who do shop from Rite Aid and Dunkin’ Donuts.

With the potential loss of employment for the employees of Rite Aid, how much further outside of Beacon will they need to go to get flexible shifts 7 days a week? Towns that are based on tourism of clothing boutiques and restaurants are fragile. The profit margins of boutiques and restaurants are slim. And their staffing goes up and down with the weather. Literally. If it’s a rainy day, forget it. Sales for that day are a wash.

The Beacon Planning Board reviewed the plans and traffic safety offerings of the Dunkin’ Donuts project, and approved it. In the proposal, the Healey’s noted that it is only viable with a drive-thru. But with the City Council’s new ban on drive-thrus, the project will most likely die.

Beacon’s City Council needs to be cautious that it is getting what it wished for in a Hallmark Town or Disney Village. These things are pretend. They are on TV. And on cable no-less! We have to pay to watch them or go there.

While Beacon does serve as a film set at times, employment issues are real. The people of Beacon who stick their noses up at stores like this perhaps can live on the remote jobs they have. But others cannot.

Beacon’s City Council should rethink it’s discriminatory, disclusive vote and remove the drive-thru ban.

"Will Rite Aid Close?" ++ Reward Points No Good + Accrued Points & Bonus Cash Will Expire

“Will Rite Aid close?” one reader wrote into A Little Beacon Blog this afternoon. Yes. The brand of Rite Aid announced the closure of all stores, distribution centers and assets, and gave their parting statement. The Poughkeepsie Journal published a list of the stores in the Hudson Valley that will close. That list has been republished below.

Will The Location Or Rite Aid Remain A Pharmacy?

Will the location of Rite Aid remain a pharmacy? We don’t know. We do know that Rite Aid is selling everything they have, and left the door open a wee bit for another brand to buy remaining stores. Walgreens once entertained buying Rite Aid, but then Walgreens was acquired by Sycamore Partners. Would someone like Walgreen’s parent company take the lease and rebrand the pharmacy? Not sure.

From AMNY’s article published May 6th: “All Rite Aid distribution centers will close, and all remaining New York stores will either close or be operated by a new owner.”

From the Poughkeepsie Journal’s article published May 7th at 5am, Beacon’s location is in the list as “set to close.”

ALBB went in to ask Rite Aid Beacon’s Manager Heather questions about how many full and part time employees work at Beacon’s Rite Aid, but she shut down any questions.

Rite Aid Reward Points And Cash

According to the Poughkeepsie Journal: “Rite Aid Rewards points will no longer be used for purchases starting Tuesday, May 6. All accrued points and BonusCash will expire within 90 days and 30 days of issuance, respectively. Starting June 5, the pharmacy will not honor any Rite Aid gift cards or accept any returns or exchanges.”

The Poughkeepsie Journal listed the stores “set to close in the mid-Hudson Valley:”

103 Hawkins Drive, Montgomery
701 Route 211 East, Middletown
657 Broadway, Newburgh
320 Main Street, Beacon
3350 North Road, Poughkeepsie
238 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie
1604 Route 9, Wappingers Falls
1 Crum Elbow Road, Hyde Park

Community In Wait-And-See Mode For Rite Aid Beacon's Fate During 2nd Bankruptcy and Closing Announcement

Rite Aid announced its second bankruptcy and closing of 178 stores in New York State, AMNY and the Poughkeepsie Journal reported. While the Poughkeepsie Journal cited a letter sent to employees, there has been no confirmation of employees of the Beacon location being terminated. “Over the next few months,” AMNY reported, “all Rite Aid distribution centers will close, and all remaining New York stores will either close or be operated by a new owner.”

A Citizen Reporter for ALBB has been told by sources that the Beacon location shows strong signs of remaining open after the first round of layoffs (June 4th) to await the possibility of a takeover from another pharmacy brand. People are hedging bets out on the sidewalk, and ALBB's money is on Walgreens taking it over.

Fiercehealthcare.com reported that Walgreens has been acquired and taken private by Sycamore Partners, who “agreed to pay $11.45 per share for the company, an equity value of about $10 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. Walgreens said in a press release that accounting for debt and future payouts, the value could reach up to $23.7 billion.”

Rite Aid has indicated through reports that they are entertaining different sales options and has “acquired $1.94 billion in new financing to keep stores operational during the bankruptcy proceedings and potential sale,” reported the Poughkeepsie Journal. Not enough, however, for all employees, Bloomberg News reported. The first round of layoffs is expected to start June 4, AMNY reported. But for Beacon employees, this has not been confirmed yet.

Beacon’s Rite Aid withstood the store closures of during the first bankruptcy as ALBB reported, which was strongly impacted by settlements from more than 1,000 opioid lawsuits. Theft from stores is also apparently up, AMNY reported.

After the first bankruptcy, shelves remained spotty in Beacon, except for soda, beer and chips. Some brands continued to send inventory, like nail polish and makeup, eye care, allergy medication and other items hit-or-miss.

Rite Aid was one of the first corporate chain stores that ALBB reported on in a celebratory way in 2014, when they totally renovated to introduce a sliding front door and wider isles, giving the people of Beacon decency in their shopping experiences. This was a huge improvement for people needing accessibility, like people pushing strollers and people using wheelchairs. Usually a corporate critic, Ori Alon-Ray, was one of the first to tell ALBB of how he at first expected to hate on the article, but appreciated it when he realized someone in his family needed the accessibility features.

This, in a time when Beacon’s City Council made it increasingly difficult to work with corporate chains or franchises, as they just banned drive-thrus, which would include for pharmacies.

Beacon Wellness is located across the street, and Vogal, once located in the heart of Beacon, has since moved to Wappingers where it has more parking. The old spot for Vogal got renovated, had a tenant for a number of years, and has now been for rent for over one year, asking $7,200 and not budging.

People of Beacon are feeling possessive of their Rite Aid. While walking past Rite Aid on the way to Key Food, one reader, who we will call Sounds of Graphite on Paper, seethed a little under their breath as they spoke a little poetry:

this isn't the beacon i moved to.
i wanted a grocery store and a pharmacy i could walk to.
we have rite aid closing.
maybe.
to be replaced by something i can't afford.
it better not be another something big and bougie.
another restaurant selling food i can't buy.
tastes i can't eat.