Dutchess County and Chamber of Commerce Initiating A Communication Channel For Businesses

Published Date: Monday, March 16, 2020

Ron Hicks, Assistant County Executive for Dutchess County, along with Frank Castella, President of the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce, have initiated a communication channel to hear and respond to questions from businesses. As you can imagine, there are a lot of them coming in. Dutchess County and the Dutchess Chamber of Commerce are making a new platform and newsletter to distribute and take in information.

THE GOAL:
Dutchess County aims to issue updates to business owners every day at 3 pm. This is the goal, so have patience with expectations as they hammer out this new system.

HOW YOU GET IT:
Sign up here for the Dutchess Business Notification Network.

What Dutchess County and Dutchess Chamber Of Commerce are Working On

Based on questions from businesses, the following agenda has been compiled. This is a changing list, and is directly from Ron Hicks’ desk, published here to give you a taste of where they are headed:

COMMUNICATION:
In partnership with the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce (DCRCOC), Dutchess County created a special platform and database to communicate as one with the business community (still being built). DCRCOC, Think Dutchess (DCIDA, DCLDC), Dutchess Tourism, Council of Industry, DC WIB, WEDC and DCC are partnering under the Alliance for Business and merging the databases into a special list for this event.

Dutchess County’s plan is to push out an update to the business community on a daily basis at 3 pm. Dutchess County hopes this will provide its administration with a tool to communicate to businesses, and businesses to communicate to the administration.

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE:
- On Thursday, March 12, Dutchess County asked the state to waive the seven-day waiting period for affected workers applying for Unemployment Insurance (UI). The governor announced the waiver on Friday, March 13.
- Dutchess County has asked the state to waive the in-person visit required within two weeks of applying for UI.
- Dutchess County has asked the NYS Department of Labor to provide guidance on in-person visits to the career center and Unemployment Insurance applicants.
- Dutchess County has asked the state to request Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) from the federal government so that businesses can apply for loans through SBA.
- Dutchess County plans to ask banks Monday to extend a grace period for loans and mortgages.
- Dutchess County plans to ask the state Monday to extend a grace period for small businesses’ sales tax receipts.

NEEDS/RESOURCES:
Frank Castella and Ron Hicks are collecting needs and requests from businesses in order to push protective medical resources to the appropriate work group in EOC.

Dutchess County is assembling a panel of businesses to come up with innovative ways to stay in business or redirect employees (i.g. LCS may need workers to clean and maybe the Grandview, who needs to close, can shift its workers to LCS).

Dutchess County has a call at 3 pm with a group of employers laying people off and a group who need workers.

NY, CT, NJ Close Gyms, Movie Theaters, Casinos; Bars/Restaurants Takeout Only. Regional Cooperation Stressed

From Governor Cuomo via Twitter from his press conference today, where his messaging was consistent with that of past press conference. Governor Cuomo has been asking the federal government to have a countrywide mandate on restrictions. His fear is that shutting down New York state bars, for example, results in, “Everybody drives to New Jersey to drink,” for example. Or to the movies, or to go out to dinner. Or go to the movies.

Cuomo’s fear is that when he shuts something down in New York, people will go elsewhere to get it. He said this yesterday (Sunday) and again today (Monday). If something is shut down in New York City, people might come to Beacon to do it instead.

In backing up his strategy, he said:

“I don’t remember this happening, period.”

“This pre-empts what any mayor or any county executive anywhere said. You can’t close bars in Manhattan but leave them open in Nassau. Because now everybody drives to Nassau to drink.”

“In an emergency situation, there is a protocol that makes sense. Local governments can make rules, the state can override those rules, and the federal government can override those rules.”

“They are counter to common sense, and they are counter to public safety and public health.”

With regards to public schools, Cuomo indicated he would have a statewide policy on school closures as well.

Authorities are considering a recommendation to stop elective surgeries for now.

From Governor Cuomo’s Twitter:

“NY, CT and NJ are taking joint regional action to reduce the spread of #COVID19:”

Effective 8pm TONIGHT (Monday):
-Crowd capacity reduced to 50.
-Restaurants/bars will be takeout/delivery ONLY.
-Gyms closed.
-Movie theaters closed.
-Casinos closed.

Takeout Is Trending As Beaconites Stay Home and Self-Quarantine

Published Date: Sunday, March 15, 2020

Photo Credit: Governor Cuomo’s Twitter

Take out before a hike outside.
Photo Credit: Lisa Marie Martinez

We love our small businesses here in Beacon. LOVE THEM. We love free enterprise, and the ability for businesses to make decisions without regulation strangling them. But we are in a pandemic here, and the numbers all around Beacon keep. going. up. All of us have had to work very hard to keep our blood pressure down, and make calm, smart choices.

Please remember that as you read this article. It is asking you to do take out. Have a picnic in your car of the lovely open faced croissant sandwich that Beacon Pantry made for you. Get that burger and fries from Barb’s and take a hike (in town, I don’t mean leave - just walk down the old train tracks or the Fishkill Creek or something and eat the burger there).

Beacon Businesses Are Doing Takeout

If you are from NYC and you have come to Beacon to get away from the pandemic that is filling ICU hospital beds needed for ventilators (Governor Cuomo’s words), please stay home. We do need your business, eventually. But all of us, probably in the whole country at this point, need to stay home and focus on our own health, eating well, taking breaks from coronavirus updates, and not standing near each other. In a bar. In a coffee shop. In a restaurant.

When A Little Beacon Blog asked Mayor Kyriacou about social distancing and the community, he sad:

“All the experts say that the most important thing that we can do is slow the transmission of COVID-19 ("flatten the curve"), so that our emergency services are not inundated. What that means in practice is canceling large crowd events, and practicing "social distancing." It does not mean shutting everything down.

”For example, the City of Beacon is shifting our board meetings to the much larger public space at the Tompkins Hose Firehouse across Route 9D from City Hall, spacing out our seating, monitoring for size of crowd, creating the option of teleconferencing, and giving board members the option of making individual personal decisions as to whether to attend in person or by teleconference.”

Beacon business in retail have been contemplating closing all weekend. Here are examples:

Temporary Beacon Business Closures:

In light of both the 50 percent occupancy reduction mandate by Governor Cuomo, many restaurants have taken measures to reduce tables. Fitness studios have limited number of guests. Whether this is being enforced is another question. Locally, on St. Patrick’s Day, bars were packed as Spain and France completely shut down their countries, and mandated that bars close, and that restaurants could do take-out. Grocery stores and petrol stations and other essential stores could stay open.

Obama’s Medicare boss issued a most dire warning.

The Bagel Shoppe in Fishkill. Patrons can eat inside, but curbside service is now a thing for them.
Photo Credit: Brianne McDowell

Echo Beacon will close to follow the school schedule and idea of social distancing. Business was busy this weekend as people got wind of the last chance to stock up. Maybe she will do pickup, however, and do something creative to shop for people while from inside.

Hudson Beach Glass was going to have their Second Saturday gallery opening, but postponed at the last minute, and temporarily closed its doors for two weeks to the public.

Binnacle Books: Has temporarily closed their Main Street doors to the public, but are still taking special orders (we order all of our books through them, no matter who the author). Their online order form is so. easy. You can also get a yearly membership for 10 percent off every purchase.

King + Curated, the custom jewelry shop that allows customers in to handle and buy jewelry, closed for two weeks and is taking custom orders via FaceTime for client meetings. Online ordering remains possible, and they plan to run sales!

Beetle and Fred canceled most of their classes, and may make other adjustments. Curbside delivery is now available for people to pick up their fabric if they want to - if they don’t want to come in.

Beacon Pantry: Same thing. To-go items are being prepped, and the pantry side of the store may start making deliveries. The eatery remains open. They do have a back parking lot to make quick, easy pickup of to-go orders.

Yankee Clipper Diner is making curbside pickup available, in addition to being open.

Beacon Bread and Tito Santana Taqueria have limited their total number of people to 20 at once, and have outside tables.

River Therapeutic Massage closed for now and canceled all massage appointments.

Barb’s Butchery is open for walk-in meat orders, but is doing take-out only for the meals. You can always call ahead.

Some restaurants are wishing that Hudson Valley Restaurant Week had been postponed, since participating in the event is a financial investment that they made.

The galleries were the first to close, with almost all of them postponing shows. The Howland Cultural Center has had almost every event cancel.

Even New York Times writer Charlie Warzel told his New Yorkers to not go to brunch right now. He got slammed in his Twitter and with emails from angry bar owners. But please. Governor Cuomo is pleading for hospital beds and for retired medical professionals to come out of retirement as he prepares for an unprecedented impact on the hospital system that the number of people needing care at the same time will have.

A Little Beacon Blog is going to be doing a big edit to our Shopping and Restaurant Guides to make it easy for you to see how to alternatively shop and eat.

Please. New Yorkers: Stay in NYC. Just stay inside of your apartments. Open the windows. Get fresh air.

Beaconites: Order takeout. Buy gift cards. Ask a store owner to bring you that package of pens that you need (I need some new pens from Zakka Joy! She is open). Beacon Barkery will deliver cat food to your porch. He did it to mine today.

Comic Book Shop The Underground Beacon Is Saved - Staying Open! New Partnership Announced

Pictured here are the new co-owners of The Underground Beacon. Albert Mas (front left) and Michael Lioce (front right). Behind them are Violet Mas, Courtney Mas, Ash Lioce, Marvel Anne Lioce, Dom Lioce, and Lita Lioce.
Photo Credit: The Underground Beacon

Beacon’s famed comic book shop, The Underground Beacon, has been saved by a customer, after the shop announced via Instagram that they would be closing due to a terminally ill family member and raising rent on February 16, 2020. That family member was owner Albert Mas’ mother, Anne, who passed on Sunday, February 23, 2020. “She was the true matriarch of the family,” says Albert’s wife, Courtney Mas, of her mother-in-law. Albert and Courtney have a young daughter, Violet Mas, who has grown up with the shop since it opened in June 2018.

According to an article in the Highlands Current, Albert and Courtney had enough money saved to take the shop through 2019, but after holiday sales slowed, and with his mother’s declining health, the boxes of comic books stored in a corner that held $20,000 worth of inventory was daunting as customer tastes change and can make inventory obsolete.

Albert told the Highlands Current that writing the announcement to close was one of the hardest things he has ever done. The flip side, however, of the announcement was how the community came out to help the shop, which warmed Albert’s heart. “I didn’t expect the magnitude of the positivity that I got from people,” he told the Highlands Current. “I was in a dark place, and it changed my whole attitude.” Note that in the announcement post, a somber black-and-white version of the normally colorized version of the shop’s logo was used.

Flip the page to a new chapter, and in walk Michael and Ash Lioce and their 3 children (Marvel Anne, Dom, and Lita), loyal customers of The Underground Beacon. It turns out, Mike, a freelance television editor and comic collector, had a secret dream of owning and running a comic book shop. With the start of his growing family, his children rekindled his desire to collect and explore comic books. In Albert’s announcement to close, he did state he and Courtney were open to a partnership or buy-out. A new dream was born.

How The Partnership Came To Be

Michael and Ash heard about the closing during an event. “We learned about the story from a friend at a toddler’s birthday party. That friend had heard through their social media. Though we follow the store in social, for some reason, it didn’t come up in our feeds,” Michael and Ash told A Little Beacon Blog. “As soon as we found out, we reached out to Albert and Courtney. Our emotions were panic and excitement. We wanted to be involved and wanted it to be a family venture. We are so grateful that the Mas’ were happy to partner with us. It has always been a dream of Michael’s to start a comic book store. He dipped his toes in a couple of times, but timing and money never quite worked out.”

After a few nail-biting days of The Underground Beacon posting hints of a continuation, and that the regular Wednesday comic book release days and Friday “Magic The Gathering” days were still on, The Underground Beacon announced on Sunday that the new partnership is official.

As for the location, are they staying? “Usually comic shops grow into a place this big,” Albert told the Highlands Current. “But when I was looking for spaces, this was the best one for the best price… It’s my dream space.”

Also on Sunday, The Underground Beacon has confirmed to a A Little Beacon Blog that they are staying in their current location at 462 Main Street in Beacon.

Available At The Underground Beacon

The best way to discover what is available is to go in, but there are several ways to use the comic book shop:

• Wednesdays: comic book release days

• Fridays: “Magic The Gathering” days

• Skateboard designs and repairs: A new skateboard vendor is scheduled to come in April to do design and repair.

• Kids’ birthday parties: The shop has a back room where many of the events take place, including kids’ birthday parties. A hit for indoor parties and shared video gaming experiences.

• Toys and collectibles: Everything from collectible action figures to board games to books to cards.

• Video game tournaments, comedy shows, etc.: Events galore at the shop. Keep stopping in to learn about them, and follow on social media. But don’t depend on digital - go inside in person!

Hooray! We’re so glad to see The Underground staying.

Phil And Mary Ciganer Of The Towne Crier Lose Son Greyson To Opioid Addiction - Hosting A Benefit Concert To Transform Personal Tragedy Into Call For Action

Phil Ciganer, proprietor of the Towne Crier Cafe on Main Street in Beacon, and his wife Mary Ciganer, who is a pastry chef for the restaurant, have lost their son, Greyson, to opioid addiction. He was 26 years old. Some of you may know Greyson, having met him as your server at some point at Towne Crier. One night as our server, Greyson told us of his own birth story, which was very beautiful. It was while we were trying to decide on what to order for dessert (there were 13 options) and he was delighting in his mother’s cooking. A private gathering was held today (Sunday, February 23) to emotionally support Phil and Mary by those who know them.

“Greyson was involved with the Towne Crier for just about his entire life,” Phil told A Little Beacon Blog. “From a young age, he was interacting with and charming customers, and helping out any way he could - first as a busboy, then as a waiter.” Does Mary still make the desserts for the Towne Crier? We weren’t sure if she was still the one after all of these years. Phil confirmed: “Mary will continue to make her legendary desserts for the Towne Crier.”

Phil and Mary want to turn their grief into awareness, and have announced a benefit concert to combat opioid addiction, to be held at the Towne Crier on March 1, 2020. They want to “transform their tragedy into a call for action,” according to their press release sent out on Sunday evening. There is no cost for entry, but donation is suggested.

Phil also answered some delicate questions for this article, in order to help others:

ALBB: Do you have thoughts/advice for those of us who have kids, on how to spot any signs that the children are addicted?
”There are behavioral clues - such as obvious manipulations (‘I need money for gas,’ etc.) - that can alert parents/caregivers to a potential problem. I would recommend checking out some of the valuable resources put out by various organizations - including Drug Crisis in Our Backyard and other nonprofits that will be represented at the event on Sunday.”

ALBB: Do you have any words of advice or reflection for those of us with children or grandchildren or nieces and nephews?
”I think we - as communities, and as a country - should concentrate more on the opioid epidemic that is devastating thousands of people every day - those who are addicted, as well as the people who love them. It's a problem that has been escalating, and changes (for the better) are being made too slowly. Progress needs to be brought to the forefront. Our mission is to raise awareness of this scourge, and to support the groups that are providing critical resources for dealing with it. That’s why we’re hosting this concert.”

The press release is below:

###

“Following the recent loss of their 26-year-old son, Greyson, to opioid addiction, Phil and wife Mary are reaching out to the community with the "Concert for Recovery," featuring local and regional talent on Sunday, March 1, 2020 at 4 pm. Donations are suggested, with proceeds benefiting Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and families in the Hudson Valley who are struggling with addiction.

The lineup for "Concert for Recovery" includes:

• The Slambovian Underground

• Kathleen Pemble

• The Costellos

• Jerry Lee, Boom Kat

• Carla Springer & Russ St. George

• Chihoe Hahn, and others

“Come hear some of the finest talent in the area while contributing to a worthy cause, and learn about the opioid abuse epidemic that is devastating individuals and families on the local and national level.

”If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction and needs help, visit www.drugcrisisinourbackyard.org or reach out to the HopeLine at 877-846-7369.”

About Drug Crisis in Our Backyard

Susan and Steve Salomone and Carol Christiansen are the Executive Board of Drug Crisis in Our Backyard, a community-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization offering education and action-oriented opportunities for families and individuals struggling with addiction. The organization was originally started in 2012 by Susan and Steve Salomone, and Carol and Lou Christiansen after the loss of their sons to a battle against heroin.

After news of their loss reached the community, they realized that they were not alone, that millions of others struggle in silence without any idea of the treatment options or support that is available. Seeking to reduce the stigma associated with addiction, and to help families that are still struggling, they created Drug Crisis in Our Backyard in order to promote awareness about drug use, assist addicted and at-risk individuals and their families, and implement measures, including legislation, that hold accountable organizations and medical institutions that perpetuate drug use through overprescription of opiates and other drugs.

New Owners Of Ella's Bellas' Beacon Location Announce New Name Of Restaurant: Kitchen & Coffee. Still Gluten-Free and Vegetarian. The Internet Is Excited!

UPDATE 2/22/2020: This article has been edited from its original version to reflect the fact that Ella’s Bellas as a brand remains with founder Carley Franklin Hughes. She sold the Beacon location of the eatery to new owners. The brand Ella’s Bellas, however, lives on.

In case you’re walking down Main Street in Beacon, looking for your favorite gluten-free restaurant, Ella’s Bellas at 418 Main Street, know this: The new owners of the Beacon location have just announced a new name for the eatery: Kitchen & Coffee. Kitchen & Coffee isn’t the only restaurant to rebrand after new ownership: Homespun Foods is keeping their name, but changing their logo. (See A Little Beacon Blog’s interview with Homespun’s new owner here.) A Little Beacon Blog first reported on Ella’s Bellas in 2011 when they first opened on Main Street, after the founder was a roving baker delivering to different coffee shops.

With the first pictures of food just being posted to Kitchen & Coffee’s new Instagram account, the Internet is pretty excited about what is being tested for their new menu. Like this Shakshuka Tahini Hummus bowl. The restaurant will remain 100 percent gluten-free and is vegetarian.

Read A Little Beacon Blog’s interview with Carley after she announced the sale of the Beacon location to new owners. The interview reveals insight into the life of a business owner, and how business is personal and influences decisions like this transition.

Meanwhile, it’s lunch time!

The Underground Beacon Comic Book Shop Announces Closure - Is A Sequel In Their Future?

After nearly two years in business, the Main Street comic book shop The Underground Beacon has announced that they are closing due to a rent increase and a terminally ill family member. This month will be their last, as they decline renewing their lease. Yet they aren’t going down without a fight, stating that they are open to new opportunities. From their Instagram post on Sunday, February 16, 2020:

“It's been nearly 2yrs in business, in that time we've met and served great people! Some of which we've become friends with. Which is why it saddens us to say that due to raising rent costs and a terminally ill family member, that we will not be able to renew our lease. Although we are open to suggestions or help such as getting investors, or taking on partners or even selling the business. As it stands now we will be closing our doors for good as early as the end of the month. We love you all and thank you, it has been a great pleasure being Beacon's comic shop!”

The Underground Beacon offered new comics, board games, card games, action figures, RPGs, weekly events and tournaments, and even skateboards. They were busy bees and launched the business with a new baby in an exersaucer behind the counter (who is walking by now).

The Underground Beacon replaced a clothing boutique, Lauren & Riley, who also announced a closure, but within days announced that the boutique would indeed stay open, but move to the other side of town, after a new landlord from the other end reached out with a new lease opportunity. The second rising of Lauren & Riley has since passed (replaced by Beacon Tintype, a mysterious photo creation studio), and L&R’s owner has moved on to focusing on her candle business, Beacon Candle Company.

Meanwhile, two days after The Underground Beacon’s closure post was published, a new post has emerged to promote their usual Wednesday release of new comic books. In it, followers are encouraged to keep it tuned to their Instagram for updates about the future of the store.

Were they approached by an investor?

Does a local comic book enthusiast have a vision that can keep the shop alive and thriving?

The lives of small businesses are always a page turner. Nothing is black and white. Business is personal. And sometimes, a pivot in the right direction changes everything.

Stay tuned…will this book release a sequel or new edition?

Most importantly, our thoughts are with them as their family enters this new phase of caring for loved ones.

A Little Beacon Blog Goes Underground: Moves ALBB Space and Tin Shingle Out Of The Telephone Building

With a heavy heart, the day has come to report on the closing of my event space, known as A Little Beacon Space. After three years of hosting community events, pop-up shops, and business retreats in Beacon's historic Telephone Building at 291 Main Street, I have closed that space, along with Tin Shingle’s new CoWork space, which was located in the basement of the building. Both spaces may begin again elsewhere, but for now, they are nestled into my attic, basement, and other living spaces. Happily, A Little Beacon Blog is continuing to publish all the news that you need to know about happening in and around Beacon.

To address some FAQs:

“Did the building sell?”

The Telephone Building sold to The Telephone Building Beacon, LLC, represented by Shady Twal in December of 2019. After negotiating the lease package that was presented to me, it became clear that leaving the building was the best decision for my business.

The weeks leading up to the negotiation, and then the final week of it, were emotionally thick. Making the decision to leave was one of the most difficult I have ever made, and I am so, so grateful for the warm embrace of support I have felt from the Beacon community - friends and family - even if they did not know the details of what was happening. I will take that sensitivity with me as ALBB covers other businesses that must move or close up shop for whatever reasons any other small business owner might face.

“Can I buy your furniture?”

I’m so glad people are asking this question. I miss having the space to offer to people, and I’m really glad you love my new interior design skills. :) However, no, you may not buy all of that new gorgeous furniture because that vision may rise again. Right now, that bar with the love story behind it and those dope purple chairs are in my newly converted home office-living room, and I’m back to work-from-home life. (I did it for 11 years before taking the storefront on Main Street.) I can become quite like a hermit, so ask me out for coffee! :)

“Where are you going next?”

I’m property shopping! I love looking at new properties. What I created in the Telephone Building was unique to that space. My experience in the Telephone Building enabled a test kitchen environment, and I want to keep that level of comfort and offer it to others. I plan to take all of those feels with me to the next spot, wherever it might be, which will allow for meetings, community gatherings, and pop-up experiences.

I’ll be looking at the luxury buildings. The run-down buildings. The buildings in the fringe areas (I love the fringe!). Business friends of mine are encouraging me to come up to Wappingers Falls and over to Newburgh. One never knows which way the wind will blow.

It’s Back To Blogging As Usual

I have a new little P.O. Box, so I’ll be popping into my new post pffoce community of fellow P.O. Box checkers. In fact, I’ll probably see more of you because the A Little Beacon Blogging Team will be blogging from coffee shops and park benches and cars and my cozy living room. So stay tuned…the pop-up side of me may rise again!

Beacon Chamber Of Commerce Holds Annual Meeting For 2020 Board Elections On Tuesday

It’s Board Election Season…

On Tuesday, January 28, at the Beacon Elks Club (900 Wolcott Ave., Beacon), the Beacon Chamber of Commerce will hold their January Member Meet Up at 5:30 pm, with elections taking place at 6:30 pm. A light dinner will be served. While all are welcome to attend, you must be a current member to vote. Start or renew your membership here.

The names listed below will be submitted for election by the members in attendance. There is one vote per member. This process also allows for nominations from the floor. The Beacon Chamber of Commerce is a volunteer organization, and encourages your participation. Two Director positions are open.

Proposed 2020 Slate

President: Ron Iarossi of Beacon Creamery
Vice President: Terry Williams of Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
Treasurer: Felicia DiNonno of Clove Creek Dinner Theater
Corresponding Secretary: Thomas Geoghegan of Edward Jones
Recording Secretary: Kathy Sandford of Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
Director: Carl Oken of the Beacon Elks Club
Director: John Gilvey of Hudson Beach Glass
Director: Joe Schuka of Libby Funeral Home
Director: OPEN (maybe you!)
Director: OPEN (maybe you!)

BeaconArts Holds Annual Meeting For 2020 Board Elections On Wednesday

BeaconArts, the multifaceted art organization that started in 2002 and helped revitalize Beacon by making arts projects accessible through their fiscal sponsorship programs, is holding their annual meeting to go over financials and revised bylaws, and to elect or re-elect board members on Wednesday, January 29, 2020 at Industrial Arts Brewing Company from 6:30 to 8 pm. (Read our recent feature on Industrial Arts and the food truck you’ll find there, Eat Church.)

Additional candidate nominations are being accepted via email through Tuesday, January 28, 2020. Email meghan@beaconarts.org with a nomination. You must be a current member of BeaconArts to vote. You can renew or start your membership here.

BeaconArts can be credited with being involved with or a fiscal sponsor of several projects you are familiar with, including Beacon’s new free bus, the Beacon Free Loop (the G line), art in the bus stations, Beacon 3D (public art sculptures throughout town), Beacon Open Studios, and more. It is because of their work, and the energy and and enthusiasm of their members, that Beacon maintains its unique vibe.

During 2019, the Board of Directors consisted of:

• Co-Presidents: Meghan Goria & Karlyn Benson

• Vice President: Angelique Devlin

• Treasurer: Aaron Verdile

• Secretary: Christina Jensen

• Members at Large: Michelle Alumkal, Jonathan Berck, Donna Mikkelsen, Terry Nelson, Chris Neyen

• Ex-Officio: Ed Benavente, Kelly Ellenwood

• Past BeaconArts Presidents: Theresa Goodman, Rick Rogers, Kelly Ellenwood, Dan Rigney, Linda T. Hubbard, Sara Pasti, Ricardo Diaz

You can learn more about current and hopeful board members here.

Letter From Homespun's Creator, Jessica: Where Is She Now?

If we aren’t going to be seeing Jessica behind the counter at Homespun anymore, where is she?

Jessica, who sold Homespun to a carefully selected new owner who you can read about here, took a moment out of her retired life to answer our burning questions:

Where are you now?

I am sitting in my house in Beacon at 9 am with no phone calls from work, no shifts to cover, no orders to put in and no fires to put out and I am loving it!

What are your days looking like?

I've been walking everyday and brushing up on my Spanish using our library's online language classes - check them out!

Also, Chris and I are going traveling soon and we are busy packing up our house and dealing with all the stuff we have accumulated. (Really, how many cookbooks do you need???)

What do you eat if you’re not at Homespun? Do you cook Homespun at home?

Okay, first, when you own a restaurant, you end up eating restaurant food all the time! Because there’s a lot of leftovers or a lot of takeout, you get tired of being around food. It's a pleasure to cook at home although the cleaning up part is a drag. We eat simply which was the basis for Homespun from the beginning.

The first week I was retired, I baked bread and made a great chocolate halvah babka ... but it’s not as much fun if you aren't getting positive customer feedback!!

My favorite lunch now is rice cakes with tahini, sharp cheddar, tomato and sprouts ... it is a crumbly, delicious mess.

I don’t miss the work, but I do miss my staff and being such a part of the neighborhood - but it was a good run. I did what I set out to do which was to make community.

Thanks for asking,
Jess

xoxo

Film/TV Facility, Graft Cider, Safe Harbors and Others Benefit From REDC 2019 Grant Money Announced

Photo Caption: Safe Harbors of the Hudson

As first reported by Newburgh Restoration, the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC) 2019 Awards have been announced, and several initiatives around Beacon are getting funding. Get the details in full here, but a total of $65.8 million was awarded to 105 projects in the the Mid-Hudson region, which consists of Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, and Westchester counties.

Newburgh Restoration identified three of the projects awarded to Newburgh initiatives as “pivotal” to Newburgh.

Awards In Newburgh…

PS 6 Liberty Street
To renovate PS 6 Center for Film and Television to be a one-stop-shop film/TV facility, including sound stages and production offices as well as rental space for events, weddings and photo shoots. The community flex space on the first floor will be used for job training, mentorship programs, art shows, and screenings.
Award Total: $955,000

Graft Cider
Graft Cider was awarded funding to adaptively reuse an old factory building to create a 14,000-square-foot production/distribution facility and tasting room in the City of Newburgh.
Award Total: $264,000

Ritz Theater (for Safe Harbors):
Awarded to Safe Harbors of the Hudson to prepare construction documents for rehabilitation and re-development of the historic Ritz Theater in Newburgh.
Award Total: $222,900

Awards In Poughkeepsie…

Bow Tie Cinemas
”Bow Tie Cinemas will build a 40,000-square-foot, multiplex cinema on an underutilized City of Poughkeepsie parking lot, creating an entertainment hub that will attract many people to its downtown location. The multiplex cinema will create jobs as well as contribute to the revitalization of a distressed community,” according to the award document.
Award Total: $2,000,000

Family Services, Inc.
Family Services, Inc. will renovate the Family Partnership Center at 29 North Hamilton St. in Poughkeepsie.
Award Total: $490,000

Awarded In Manufacturing…

New York Juice Company
"New York Juice Company, a subsidiary of Direct Refreshments, will design and construct a 50,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Dutchess County. The facility will produce Concord grape juice sourced from New York farmers. These products will be sold to schools through the NYS Farm to School Program as well as to hospitals, casinos and others," according to the award document.
Award Total: $800,000

Awarded In Food & Entertainment…

The Culinary Institute of America
The Culinary Institute of America will construct, renovate and launch Post Road Brew House and an Italian Cafe & Bar at Ristorante Caterina at The Culinary Institute of America, enhancing the world-renowned destination as a key attraction for visitors to the Mid-Hudson region of New York.
Total Awarded: $175,000

Awarded To Public Space…

Walkway Over the Hudson Lighting Project - Phase Two
Walkway Over the Hudson will install sustainable LED lighting at the Walkway Over the Hudson State Historic Park for increased safety and security, extend hours that the Park is open to the public, and increase opportunities for nighttime programming.
Total Awarded: $588,562

Several other monies were awarded for creative projects, including to fund staff positions to make programs possible. Municipal projects were awarded as well, including a Sewer Inflow and Infiltration Study for the City of Poughkeepsie. Climate Smart Community projects were also awarded. You can read all about the grants here.

Resilience On Main Street: Several Restaurants, Groceries and Shops Open During Snowstorm

From left to right: Utensil, Pavonine Yoga, Max’s On Main, Beacon Barkery

Once again, several of Beacon’s restaurants and shops opened during Beacon’s first snowstorm of 2019. Business owners really want to be the answers to your dreams, and if your dreams include roasted marshmallows, regular groceries, potato skins, or hot yoga, then you’re in luck: Several Beacon businesses rose to the occasion and dug their way out of the snow to open.

Not all businesses were open, as snow days mean different things to different people: Kids are home from school, some daycare centers closed, and roads were bad. Governor Cuomo declared a State of Emergency for seven counties (Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Schenectady, Saratoga and Ulster counties) with imposed low speed limit rules, as first responders responded to 740 storm-related crashes today, according to HV-NY.

The domino effect is real when it comes to snow days. Safety first. However, several businesses were quick to list their openings or closures on social media (namely Instagram - that’s who we check, at least!).

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If you were wanting to cook up a steak or pork chop, Barb’s Butchery was open as usual. So were Max’s On Main and Isamu (sushi) if you wanted someone to cook the food for you. Utensil usually opens during snowstorms, because you might need a pizza stone right now as there’s high demand for comfort food during snow days. Key Foods and Beacon Natural Market had salt to melt the snow, and pink salt to flavor your home-cooked food.

If your pets were stalking you for food, Beacon Barkery was open. Hudson Beach Glass was firing it up inside, so you could shop or watch them make the glass ornaments. Hudson Valley Marshmallow was firing up the blowtorch in their “mallow shack.” Pavonine Yoga was open, as were other fitness studios on Main Street (even if they had a later opening). The movie theater in town - Story Screen - was showing movies. (They also serve beer and popcorn!) The Telephone Building dug out and is always open for Beahive members and soon-to-be Tin Shingle members to come out of the house and work work work! Some might call the cozy atmosphere a #workation.

Several others were open on Main Street, so know this for future snowstorm needs: Assume nothing. Just because your car is buried in the driveway doesn’t mean everyone’s car is still buried there. If you need something, just walk to Main Street!

See your options in A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide and Shopping Guide.

[UPDATED] Flora The Flower Shop Is Under New Ownership - Now "Flora Good Times"

Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in August, 2019. We later heard from Flora’s original creator, Mary, and amended this article in November 2019.

This just in! One of your favorite little flower shops on the west end of town, Flora, is under new ownership from the proprietress Corinne Bryson. Says Corinne of the shop, which is now called Flora Good Times: “There will still be tons of plants and flowers, but I'm aiming to work with small local farms to get flowers during the growing season rather than imported flowers, and unusual plant specimens!” The shop has also started offering classes, like the Thanksgiving Centerpiece Workshop this Thursday, November 21, 2019 (catch rare workshops like this in A Little Beacon Blog’s Classes Guide).

But Wait - Where’s Mary?

Mary Fris originally created Flora - which had a different logo in all lower case (see Niche Modern’s coverage of them here when Mary first opened in 2015). We tracked Mary down in her gardening boots, and learned her true thoughts - which she never held back on sharing as she participated in city government goings-on by submitting her opinion from time to time.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss all of my lovely customers. ... Beacon has been my home for the last 20 years, but having a business here really made me appreciate what a truly wonderful community this is and continues to be as it evolves with a whole new generation of young families.

I intend to stay involved by volunteering or maybe even a part-time job on Main Street to keep my finger on the pulse. This community has given me so much and I hope to return the same. I also want to take up painting and travel ... maybe check off a few places on my bucket list or escape somewhere for the winter. It’s nice not having to lift buckets of water or run back and forth between suppliers. I don’t like the word ‘retirement’ - it seems foreign and I am not the type to put my feet up. I intend to stay active. But my days of owning my own business are over. At least for now ... lol!

To add to your Beacon trivia, Mary was once a pastry chef at 02, which is now Isamu. “Running a cafe is pretty much 24/7,” Mary told A Little Beacon Blog. “I’ve done that a couple times too! Lotsa work work work. Hats off to Jessica of Homespun!”

About The New Owner, Corinne

Where does Corinne hail from? It is always interesting to follow the thread of a small business journey, tracing from where a business owner started, and how they got here, to Beacon. Corinne is originally from outside of Detroit. She’ll fill in the rest:

“I moved to Rochester, NY, 10 years ago to go to school for photography. I moved to Brooklyn almost seven years ago to pursue that career and tripped and fell into floral design and fell in love with houseplants. My husband and I currently live in Brewster, where we’re working at filling our house with rare plants, hand-thrown ceramics and knick-knacks from our travels.”

Tripping and falling into floral design sounds fun. Let the opening of the shop begin! Flora Good Times will hold an opening day celebration on Sunday, September 1, 2019 from 12 to 5 pm. The shop is located at 197 Main St., Beacon, NY near the Beacon Bread Company.

Ella's Bellas Creator/Owner, Carley Franklin Hughes, Steps Aside From Beacon Location - We Have An Unpublished Interview

Photo Credit: Ella’s Bellas

Carley’s chocolate chip cookies had just the right amount of rock salt on top. Available at Bank Square Coffee House, they were easily this blogger’s first favorite chocolate chip cookie on Main Street in Beacon. Carley delivered her cookies by stroller to the coffee house, as well as other wholesale accounts she developed as a young mother cooking from her certified home kitchen. Ella’s Bellas is named after her daughter, who has a gluten allergy.

Carley wasn’t the only one in Beacon to have a certified home kitchen. There were and are several off-the-radar professional bakers and cooks. But she is one of the few who has moved out of her home kitchen to open a storefront in Beacon, pop up in other cafés with outposts in Cold Spring and elsewhere, and open another storefront in the Catskills.

Eight years later, Carley is stepping aside as the proprietor of Ella’s Bellas at 418-420 Main Street, handing over the reins to new owners. During tonight’s City Council meeting, when it came time to give his weekly report, council member Terry Nelson thanked Carley for her service to the community.

EDIT 2/22/2020: Carley retains ownership and recipes of Ella’s Bellas as a brand, and “may do something down the road,” she tells A Little Beacon Blog. The new owners “purchased the building, equipment, and kickass staff,” Carley confirmed.

Carley is one of those business owners who experiments. She experiments with giving - she donated a consumer refrigerator to the Beacon Community Kitchen when they first opened a handful of years ago. She experiments with marketing ideas, like the oyster-filled dance parties she used to have with Drink More Good. And of course, she experiments with baking and has the most delicious gluten-free shop one could ever ask for. And I’m not even gluten-free, but I could order anything from her menu and be totally satisfied.

Announced on her personal @dogsofellas Instagram page, while simultaneously the shop account gave a 10-year birthday nod to the biz (the Beacon brick-and-mortar shop has been open for eight years), Carley illuminated the reason behind her decision:

At some point I started to slow down... For years I rushed and stressed and focused on the needs of the people working for Ella’s, the building, my customers, and how to best provide for them. In the beginning, it was fulfilling and brought me great joy. I was living the strong working mom dream. I put my family and myself somewhere in the background and pushed to make the business grow and shine, but at some point I started to get tired, and I started seeking joy in the quiet and nature instead of crowds and excitement and the high of a busy day. I started to think of a life that focused on things other than the business, and my journey started to shift to where I am now…

Tomorrow will be my last day as proprietor of 418-420 Main St. Ella’s Bellas will still live in a familiar state for a few months while the new owners finalize their plans and I’ll still be around to help with this transition phase. Then I have no plans, and I’m really excited to just be.

I’ll be at the shop finishing up soup and various odds and ends tomorrow (Monday 11/18). Come by or leave me a song to add to the soundtrack of my last day as “boss lady.”

Formerly Unpublished Interview With Carley About Business and Family Life

About a year ago I was working on a story and reached out to Carley with a bunch of questions. I never published the story (only about 5 percent of my stories actually make it to these blog pages). Parts of the story had undertones of what she has just announced. Now that Carley has reached the end of her business life-cycle - or this business life-cycle, anyway - let’s read about the transition of her business from her home to Main Street, and maintaining its growth:

ALBB: Tell us about your early business life when you were delivering to local bakeries.

I started delivering almost 10 years ago to Bank Square Coffee House when [my daughter] Ella was around 14 months old. It was a family affair. My home kitchen was certified and I would bake when Ella napped or was down for the night. My husband would do dishes and late-night deliveries and Ella and I would walk the rest over in the stroller.

ALBB: Were you doing this before she was born?

No, I took time off of working to be at home with Ella. My previous career was in theater admin and production. I had worked in food service, but not as a trained baker.

ALBB: Did having a child help and/or slow your growth into opening your own shop?

Ella and many other factors contributed into the need to move the business out of the house and into a storefront. I would say that as we both get older, I find myself concentrating less on the growth of the business and more on making myself available to Ella and my family. That has definitely had an affect on our rate and amount of growth.

ALBB: Did having a child actually make you make decisions that grew your business faster? Like hiring employees, so that you could accommodate your child and family life?

Yes, having a child makes me have a more controlled work day and set schedule. I try to keep my work to her school hours (or camp hours) and I would often work after her bedtime or before she’s up in the morning. It meant that although I was responsible for creating and building many of the elements of Ella’s, once they were established, it was best for me to have a staff member take over that responsibility so I could concentrate on business growth and family.

In the early days, that meant adding staff. It’s also made it difficult to keep as many layers of the business operating. I can’t always jump back into the kitchen or behind the counter at this point, so we’ve gone from a large staff with a general manager to a smaller staff and smaller menu.

ALBB: When you opened the second location in the Catskills, was that business as usual by that point? Or did you need to make adjustments to your child and family life?

When I opened the business in the Catskills, I had a wonderful manager in place at Ella’s Bellas, so I basically spent several months bouncing back and forth and dragging my family along to help and keep me company. My husband has his own company and they did the renovations to the Catskills building. Ella’s Bellas was running with limited day-to-day needs from me at that point.

ALBB: How many years after opening your first location did you open your second?

Just under six years to opening, but we had been working on the project for eight months when it opened. So it’s really closer to five [years].

ALBB: Do you have family in town who helps you with childcare?

My mother-in-law is in town part-time, so that can be really helpful if we schedule it correctly. We were really lucky to have a wonderful former bakery employee turn into childcare help off and on over the years. She and Ella are still great friends and she's now a successful businesswoman and mother, too!

At the time of this interview, Ella’s Bellas was in several locations. The brand was available at all the Pantry locations, The Taste of NY at Todd Hill, Fresh in Hopewell Junction and their sister shop in the Catskills.

Business Advice From Carley:

I’ve learned that it’s easy to get wrapped up in growing organically, but that can distract from the core of your business. Never lose sight of what you want the business to become.