New Stores And Hair Salon On Main Street - See Our Guides!

This just in! We’ve got updates to our Shopping and Beauty Guides we wanted to let you know about: There are two new boutiques and a new hair salon worth checking out.

b. expressive, b. beautiful, b. you!

Back in October, Ryan Leoni opened b.Hair Studio at 323 Main Street, next to Binnacle Books, where Pink Optical used to be. Their mission is to provide a hair salon that is not only a friendly, judgment-free atmosphere, but has the highest quality of work as well.

One Of A Kind Hand Crafted Furniture

PTACEK Home/LLTO provides an exclusive source of artisan-built furniture and cabinetry as well as interior design through LLTO (Live Light Travel Often). They’re located behind Colorant at 146 Main Street; take a walk along the building to get to their entrance. They’re known throughout the Hudson Valley for their collaborative work in people’s homes. Now they are bringing their talents to Beacon!

For Love Of Fashion

Lucky Thirty One opened their doors in November 2019 where they offer carefully hand-picked collections to bring you classic pieces and the latest trends. Find them at 217 Main Street, where the Hudson Valley Marshmallow Co. used to be before they located to the other end of Main Street.

Community Mercantile and General Store

Take a walk over the short bridge at Beacon Falls to East Main Street, and check out Solstad House, at 17 East Main Street. Also opened in November, this a great stop for gift ideas for the home, book lover, accessories, candles and more.

While our Events Guide is updated almost daily, our other guides get updated on a regular basis so keep checking back!

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.

New Furniture and Interior Design Store On Beacon's Main Street: PTACEK Home and LLTO

Beacon’s furniture design enthusiasts felt the loss when the design cooperative ReMade closed its doors on the west end of town near the train. (The space is currently filled by the equally impressive jewelry designer and maker Lewis and Pine.) Now, across the street, a new design team is in town: PTACEK Home and LLTO (aka Live Light Travel Often) located just steps off Main Street at 146 Main Street #2 in a setback just off the sidewalk (near Colorant, the shop that is painted a deep navy blue, formerly Miss Vickie’s, near Mountain Tops).

PTACEK Home and LLTO is a collaborative retail store that offers a combination of one-of-a-kind handcrafted furniture pieces designed and built by Thomas Ptacek of PTACEK Home, and travel-inspired home goods curated by Tamara Reynolds of LLTO. Ptacek and Reynolds met in 2014 and immediately discovered their mutual love for simple design and dedication to the relationship between form and function. Over the past five years, they have collaborated on many residential projects in the Hudson Valley.

PTACEK HOME was founded by master homebuilder and furniture designer Thomas Ptacek and co-owner Melissa Ptacek in the lower Hudson Valley. Tom’s use of local materials combined with his commitment to simple, modern lines, traditional joinery, and hand-applied finishes results in extraordinary handcrafted furniture. The newly introduced Chunk Line, made from salvaged Hudson Valley trees, will be among the lines showcased at the new Beacon store. PTACEK Home believes in sourcing materials sustainably and selling locally. Their furniture is made to last a lifetime.

LLTO, Live Light Travel Often, launched by fashion and interior designer Tamara Reynolds, focuses on home and travel essentials that enrich life with beauty and daily inspiration. Each piece tells a story of masterful craftsmanship, many of which embody centuries-old technique. In her belief that everything in the home should have both purpose and beauty, she curates a joyful and radiant collection of items and gifts for the bathroom, kitchen, living room, and bedroom. In addition to the Beacon location, LLTO's online shop will launch next month.

Hop & Shop Hits Beacon's Mile-Long Main Street Again This December 12th and 13th, 2019

Back for its second year, with an even longer list of participating businesses - 60 in total and five new sponsors - Hop & Shop Beacon is set for two nights of extended shopping and special deals on Main Street in Beacon on Thursday, December 12, and Friday, December 13. The following Saturday will be Beacon’s Second Saturday, so anticipate a long weekend of (even more) live action on Main Street.

“Last year after Hop & Shop had wrapped, we received a number of emails and messages from customers who said they had the best time and how they hoped we would do it again,” the event’s co-organizer, Erin Murphy Doan, owner of Reservoir, told A Little Beacon Blog. “Another wonderful result that has come from this event is the relationships built between the business owners,” she continued. “Main Street feels very unified, and we’re all here to help each other!”

The Origins of Hop & Shop

Created in 2018 out of the collective desire for more reasons for Beacon businesses to work together, Hop & Shop Beacon’s mission is to lengthen the shopping day for commuters and people who just like walking around Beacon at night. Said the other co-organizer, Lauren Decker of King + Curated: “We wanted to find a way to unify all Beacon businesses with each other and the community. It’s a great way to celebrate our locals (who also can be commuters) of Beacon by staying open late. Usually they never get the chance to shop local, with some shops closing at 6 pm. Weekends are sometimes spent enjoying hiking and outdoor activities in the Hudson Valley.”

This year, over 60 businesses will stay open until 9 pm, and five sponsors came on board to support the event: Hudson Land Design, SallyeAnder, A Little Beacon Blog (hey, that’s us!), More Good, and Tipsy Social.

Hop & Shop has grown as anticipated as Black Friday itself. Which is great news for you - more deals! More access to unique things! Shops like Luxe Optique have crafted deals that work for both Black Friday and Hop & Shop. Which is great for this blogger, who is out of town for Black Friday, but in town for Hop & Shop!

How Hop & Shop Works

You step outside onto Main Street and side streets, and you gaze into the warmly lit shop windows filled with goodies, creations, inventions, and other things you didn’t realize were so close to you here in Beacon.

Enjoy food and drink specials, art openings, sales, etc., all up and down our over mile-long Main Street! Wear your cutest, coziest winter outfits and accessories, because you will want to walk the entire length of Main Street. Drink hot chocolate at one coffee shop, and a latte at another coffee shop at the other end of town. With maybe a cupcake or marshmallow in-between!

Recommended: Get cozy with Hop & Shop’s Instagram. It features participating businesses, which include services such as yoga, as well as shops and eateries. Like the beef jerky shop, The Village Jerk, located inside The Chocolate Studio on the far end of Main Street near the mountain.
INSIDER TIP: The Chocolate Studio has delicious chocolate-covered lots-of-things, but also sells dairy and vegan ice cream.

Raffle tickets for prizes are available, given per receipt, from participating businesses only. The idea is, the more you shop, the better your chances of winning. This year, raffle categories include:

• Eat + Drink Local

• Shop Local

• LifeStyle Local (*new!)

Mark your calendars!

PS: If you have kids and need them to not be with you while shopping on Black Friday, local business The Crafty Hammer is having a Black Friday Drop-Off Makers Session, so check that out and get scheduled up. The Crafty Hammer is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog, and we thank them for their support!

Participating Businesses

For the longest list of participating businesses, see here! As a blog, we have the space (unlike a print newspaper or magazine), so have at it! Also learn more about these shops in A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide.

133 Main Street LEWIS & PINE.
Modern, ethically-crafted jewelry, apothecary and home goods featuring work by local artists and artisans.

135 Main Street STOREHOUSE BEACON.
A modern-day apothecary featuring an herbal dispensary and all natural/ handmade hair, skin, and home products.

142 Main Street TITO SANTANA TAQUERIA.
Innovative Mexican tacos, quesadillas and vegan dishes.

143 Main Street UTENSIL KITCHENWARE.
A practical, affordable kitchenware shop.

144 Main Street MOUNTAIN TOPS.
Rafting, kayaking, sporting goods store.

149 Main Street BEACON TINTYPE.
Handmade heirloom portraiture studio utilizing the wet-plate collodion process. Archival and hauntingly timeless.

151 Main Street THE INN & SPA AT BEACON.
A 10-room, boutique hotel and spa described in Vogue as "a dream getaway for New Yorkers." Small. Wonderful.

155 Main Street DARRYL’S.
Darryl’s is a Contemporary Women’s Boutique offering a combination of style, personalized service and high-quality clothing and accessories at value pricing not found anywhere else in the area.

155 Main Street KNOT TOO SHABBY.
Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® stockist providing hands-on service for your family heirlooms and flea market finds.

171 Main Street BEETLE AND FRED.
Modern sewists shop. Focusing on modern quilting and garment sewing. Sewing classes available.

173 Main Street CHILL WINE BAR.
A place to chill and relax with 27 wines by the glass, great beer and light food. Celebrating 13 years in Beacon.

175 Main Street NOTIONS-N-POTIONS
We carry jewelry, loose stones, candles, incense, evil-eye home decor and so much more!
ALBB Tip: Ask about their Flying Wish Paper…

177 Main Street ZAKKA JOY
Find joy in our elevated and eclectic mix of stationery, housewares, toys, cameras, accessories and more!

181-183 Main Street LUXE OPTIQUE
Curated eyewear, gift cards, $25 eye exams, personalized eyewear consultations, kids eyewear, repairs and more!

197 Main Street FLORA GOOD TIMES
Botanically focused shop offering an unusual and extraordinary selection of houseplants, fresh flowers and home goods.

123 Rombout Ave. ROC PILATES
Roc Pilates is a tiny boutique studio located in Beacon, New York, just three blocks off Main Street. Focused on personalized, one-on-one training and small group lessons in the classical method. Senior Teacher Trainer Jordana Herman is a leader in the industry, with multiple national certifications including Power Pilates and the Pilates Method Alliance.

257 Main Street SCARBOROUGH FARE OIL & VINEGAR TAPROOM
Fine olive oil and aged balsamics, savory spreads, gourmet pasta, olives, local maple syrup and jams.

288 Main Street HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
Seven chefs offer Himalayan dumplings, southern BBQ, Indian street food, fresh salads and raw bar, plus Himalayan gifts.

291 Main Street A LITTLE BEACON BLOG
Highlighting awesome people, art, and businesses and Things-to-Do in Beacon guides. Visit for the latest!

301 Main Street THE STUDIO @ BEACON
Cycling, boxing, and barre studio. We also feature a smoothie bar with delicious smoothies and bowls.

314 Main Street LAST OUTPOST
Menswear, lifestyle and outdoor. Flannel, barware, camp cooking, local artists, brands that donate to national parks.

321 Main Street BINNACLE BOOKS
Beacon's independent bookstore. Find a hidden gem among dense shelves of tightly curated new and used books.

323 Main Street B. HAIR STUDIO
A full service hair salon that specializes in custom crafted haircuts, highlights, hair color, balayage, and more.

10 N. Chestnut DENNING’S POINT DISTILLERY
Creating award winning spirits from local New York grains.

378 C Main Street WYLD WOMYN
Birth and postpartum doula support, childbirth ed, lactation support, placenta encapsulation, full moon circles.

383 Main Street MORE GOOD
Organic teas/spices/herbs/handcrafted syrups and mixers, as well as bar and tea-ware! Stop in for perfect gifts for your whole list!

412 Main Street GREEN MOUNTAIN MINERALS
Fine mineral specimens and mineral gifts for enthusiasts from 7 to 70.

424 Main Street THE BEACON HOTEL
A boutique hotel with 11 rooms, restaurant/bar and event space; serving cocktails, steak, seafood and weekend brunch.

436 Main Street LA MÉRE CLOTHING + GOODS
Your women’s fashion destination. We offer quality and trends at just the right price.

442 Main Street BLACKBIRD ATTIC
A curated collection of ever changing modern and vintage clothing, accessories and more!

446 Main Street THE VAULT
New American restaurant featuring tapas menu, small-batch spirits and specialty cocktails and local craft beers.

453 Main Street AFTER EDEN GALLERY
Specializes in fine 18th-20th century art, antiques and crafts, vintage advertising, antique toys & country furniture.

456 Main Street THE ARCHIVE
Clothing, Furniture & Uncommons for the home.

457 Main Street NFP
Engineered sweaters with the ability to mold and shape into new forms.

458 Main Street BEACON BATH & BUBBLE
Unique soap and soda shop featuring handmade soap, vintage soda pop, candy and more!

460 Main Street RESERVOIR | CLOTHING & HOME
Men’s, women’s and children’s apparel and home décor focused on sustainability and a dedication to affordable prices.

469 Main Street NO.3 READING ROOM & PHOTO BOOK WORKS
Select artists' books, photobooks, works on paper and poetry books by small and independent presses.

470 Main Street ECHO WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE & TOY STORE
A curated selection of women’s clothing, and an award-winning toy store - all under one roof.

470 Main Street THE BRA FIT EXPERT
Lingerie, luxe pajamas, fittings by appointment, gift certificates available.

474 Main Street RAVEN ROSE
Lifestyle boutique with a wide selection of gift items and fresh florals.

478 Main Street VINTAGE BEACON
A stylist-edited women's boutique featuring high-end designer consignment alongside curated vintage treasures.

480 Main Street DENISE GIANNA DESIGNS
Home, health, hospitality interior design studio/retail showroom; fabric, upholstery.

482 Main Street RUDY’S JEWELRY
Expert repairs, custom work and fine jewelry selection; jewelry services with a personal touch since 1992.

484 Main Street HYPERBOLE
A colorful mash-up of Artifact & Wares, Hyperbole sells small-batch jewelry, clothing, vintage and art.

488 Main Street PAVONINE YOGA
Beacon’s new (and only!) hot yoga studio! Hot and Power Vinyasa and Boot Camp. New students: Two weeks unlimited classes for $35!

493 Main Street BEACON MERCANTILE
Freshly made candles, perfumes, skincare and apothecary items, plus fun seasonally curated finds for home and gifting.

493 Main Street CAMPBELL & CAMPBELL
An established NYC couple offering cutting, color and styling services; nail and makeup services just added.

494 Main Street VILLAGE JERK
Jerky, hot sauce and accessories.

496 Main Street THE CHOCOLATE STUDIO
Gourmetibles, vegan treats, Wine/beer jellies, chocolate bacon, custom platters, gift certificates & baskets.

498 Main Street THE LEAF
All products hemp. The best that nature has to offer with everything from tinctures, creams, textiles and clothing.

500 Main Street LOOPY MANGO
Beginner-friendly DIY knit kits, quality yarns made with natural fiber and knitting workshops.

510 Main Street HUDSON VALLEY MARSHMALLOW COMPANY
Handmade flavored marshmallows, hot cocoas and s'mores and gift baskets. S'mores roasted right on the spot!

512 Main Street KAIGHT
Specialty boutique offering a curated mix of sustainable fashion, home goods and clean beauty.

516 Main Street SUKHOTHAI RESTAURANT
Spiced-to-order Thai favorites and innovative dishes served in a spacious, brick-walled cafe.

528 Main Street THE BLUSHERY
Award-winning beauty studio, providing brow, makeup, skincare, and hair removal services.

530 Main Street KING + CURATED
From affordable to aspirational, voted “Best Jewelry store” for custom and fine jewelry.

554 Main Street MELZINGAH TAP HOUSE
An all-new gathering place for craft beer enthusiasts, cocktail connoisseurs, and food fanatics.

1 E. Main Street LAMBS HILL BRIDAL
Bridal boutique reflects the rustic-chic style of our venue. Gowns range from $1,000 to $3,000.

1 E. Main Street SALLYEANDER
Handmade, trusted solutions for healthy skin, home and family since 1982.

2 E. Main Street ROUNDHOUSE
A unique, historical property repurposed into a restaurant, bar and boutique hotel overlooking a waterfall.

7 E. Main Street HUDSON VALLEY BREWERY
Craft brewery creating dynamic expressions of traditional and nouveau ales. Tasting room and to-go sales Thursday thru Sunday.

17 E. Main Street SOLSTAD HOUSE
Venture down to East Main and cross the bridge at Beacon Falls to discover a brand new mercantile shop/general store that features wares from local artisans and carefully curated handmade goods from all over the country - candles to consumables.

47 E. Main Street DOGWOOD
American and globally inspired eats pair with seasonal craft beers at this hangout with live music.

PPS: If you are a business looking to get involved with Hop & Shop next year, hit them up in their DMs in Instagram.

Found Them! Frankenstuffs - Recycled Stuffed Animals - Pop Up In Beacon's Shopping Scene

Frankenstuffs, the recycled stuffed animal company from Beacon-based Stephanie Dignan, first came across my radar in a Facebook Group. That was several years and several rabbit holes ago. I’m not longer in most Facebook Groups (thanks, invasion of privacy and total lack of trust in that platform!). I’ve been searching for these stuffies ever since, since Stephanie accepts stuffed animal donations, of which we have several in my home. To give you an idea, watching Toy Story is torture for me.

Hence, Frankenstuffs. The recreation of stuffed animals to live new lives. After I stumbled into the temporary location of the traveling pop-up, Sleepwalker Textiles, there they were. You can also find Frankenstuffs on Etsy.

New Pop-Up In Little Sliver Of A Shop Next To Beacon Hotel: Sleepwalker Textiles

The little sliver of a shop next to (and part of) the Beacon Hotel that used to house Howling at the Edge of Chaos and a shop called something like Wanderlust or some such (chime in if you remember!) is now the temporary home of Sleepwalker Textiles from Sally Streets, the traveling pop-up shop that started in the cluster of shops that is The Chocolate Studio (former home of Denise Gianna Designs and current home of The Village Jerk).

Sleepwalker Textiles sells cute little things like sweet lady boxer shorts and aprons, and is the embodiment of the concept: “Human consumerism and globalization has led to unsustainable living wages for the American working class and the precipitous decline of our planet. Sleepwalker questions this apparent inevitability by posing a challenge. Is is possible to create and sell products within a community, priced within $5 of a comparable product found at a big-box store, while providing a $20/hour wage?”

There’s a sewing machine in the shop, and constant creation of new inventory, most of which is most likely unique, in that the fabric used is donated in order to pay the desired wage, and to reduce the fashion footprint of clothes into the trash.

Equally exciting is that they are carrying other designers as well, namely Frankenstuffs, the stuffed animal company that I first discovered deep down in Facebook groups somewhere years ago, and have been chasing them through Facebook ever since. (Chasing unsuccessfully since my footprint in that place has been reduced by leaving most groups except for mom groups.) And here Frankenstuffs is finally on Main Street in Beacon! For now.

Frankenstuffs is your answer to continuing life for stuffed animals that are not wanted anymore (sniff). You’ll find a few of the stuffies in the Sleepwalker Textiles shop.

Find the Sleepwalker Textiles shop at 438 Main St., next to the Beacon Hotel, which is near the Beacon Movie Theater, Story Screen.

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Want to pop-up in Beacon, NY? A Little Beacon Blog makes it easy for you! We have outfitted our own headquarters on Main Street, A Little Beacon Space, to be a pop-up shop, complete with display shelves, clothing racks, tables for vendors, and more. With built-in promotion, we offer an instant pop-up experience in our beautifully lit, cozy and well-known space. Learn more here.

[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.

King + Curated Fine Jewelry Shop Moves Across The Street

In what seemed like the blink of an eye, King + Curated, the custom design shop for fine jewelry, moved from its original location at 1 East Main (over with Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique, Trax and SallyeAnder), across the street and tricky dummy light intersection to land in the spot that formerly housed the Russell Cusick Gallery. And it was a blink of an eye, as they did the move in a 24-hour sprint so as not to lose a day.

Inside, you will still find bracelets, necklaces, earrings and rings that you can buy on the spot, like hand-stamped pieces. Some with precious stones, and some without. Be sure to ask for the earrings that weave through multiple ear piercings.

King + Curated now works with artists to hang art on their walls during Beacon’s Second Saturday. Read about it in A Little Beacon Blog’s Second Saturday Guide. The first artist to debut there - and anywhere, because somehow it’s her first show ever - is Jo Rigol, with 12 pieces from her Las Lloronas (“weeping women”) series.

FUN FACT: The name “King + Curated” originated as a combination of two different businesses. Husband-and-wife design team Todd and Lauren are the jewelry side. Wedding photographer Alicia King went in on the original space together with them. When it came time to move out of the original storefront location, the two businesses agreed that King + Curated was a great name for the jewelry brand, and it stuck. The original signage for the storefront now hangs behind the counter inside of the shop.

Go in and check it out!

Artifact Beacon and Wares Closing Forever This Weekend - BUT…

Don't freak out just yet over that headline: It’s true, two of your favorite artisan stores on the east end of Beacon near the mountain are closing this weekend, BUT they will be re-opening together later in September. Meanwhile, this weekend is your last chance to shop in each of their stores as they currently exist, so hurry in, and take advantage of 20% off at Artifact and Wares. Big sales!!

HIT UP THESE SALES LABOR DAY WEEKEND:
Help a little boutique (or two) out! Buy their stuff!
Artifact Beacon: 17 East Main Street (down the street/hill from Dogwood)
Wares: 2 Tioronda Avenue (the cute little house near the silos, just off Main Street)

Artifact and Wares Are Merging Into One Shop - On Main Street

Both shops were on the fringe of Main Street, situated as they were on East Main and Tioronda. Not being on Main Street isn’t the worst thing, but on the east end of Main Street near the mountain, it can be hard to feel a rush of foot traffic. So keep walking, people! Some of the cutest shops, galleries and eateries are located down here.

Artifact and Wares are merging into one shop to be located at 484 Main Street (the former Waddle n Swaddle spot, near the new yoga studio), and will be called Hyperbole. This new store brings together the owners Carolyn Baccaro, of Artifact, and her good friend Andrea Podob, of Wares. Says Carolyn: “Together, we're creating a unique shopping experience that connects independent, [thoughtful] artists with stylish and discerning customers like YOU.” Look for jewelry, art, clothing, vintage finds, and more at the new Hyperbole.

Fans of both shops are being directed to follow Artifact’s Instagram page, which will convert over to the new Hyperbole.

The former space of Artifact will be filled by new store owners, who are plotting their arrival as we speak.

Time to update A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide!

OPEN! The Pop-Up Shop "Pieces" Selling Vintage T-Shirts, Sneakers, Gear, and More - Saturday Only!

WHERE: 291 Main St., Beacon, NY 12508
The Telephone Building
First Floor, First Door
WHEN: Saturday, August 17, 2019,
10 am to 8 pm

The Pop-Up Shop is back at A Little Beacon Space with another hard-to-find curated collection of vintage T-shirts, shoes, and more. This pop-up shop is from Xavier Garcia (@xaviergarciaa) and Jason Simoes (@jasoes) of @kualitygear, and it is their first pop-up experience. They searched up and down the Hudson Valley to find the perfect spot, and selected Beacon and A Little Beacon Space! Come out and give them a warm retail welcome.

The young entrepreneurial group calls this show “PIECES,” and they normally only sell on social media platforms that the young people know about.

The Tony Hawk skateboarding video game is playing in the corner, and clothes are hanging from the ceiling! Come in for your T-shirt fix and grow your sneaker collection.

This pop-up shop is one day only! From 10 am to 8 pm, Saturday, August 17, 2019. Address is 291 Main Street, Beacon, NY, First Floor, First Door.

The Shop Dream In Plastic Changes Name To Zakka Joy - And Embraces All Caps!

Dream in Plastic rebrands to Zakka Joy. Same great store, different name. You’ll find the ever-changing curated inventory from the same owner, Jenny Zuko.
Photo Caption: Katie Hellmuth Martin

When you grew up in the ’80s and ’90s, pretty much all of your retail therapy dreams involved plastic. Charm necklaces, gummy bracelets, banana clips, you get the drift. And let’s be honest, plastic still is the foundation for a lot of what we buy. When Jenny Zuko opened her first shop in Brooklyn, NY, in 2007, naming it Dream in Plastic was a safe bet. Today in 2019, the name has become a liability. People dismiss the store’s contents as something they don’t want - plastic. What does a business owner do when her customers shift? She shifts with them, does a soul search, and rebrands.

Welcome Zakka Joy To Main Street - Same Great Shop, Different Name

“It straight up hurts our feelings when people sometimes dismiss us as a store full of single-use plastics and useless junk,” admitted Jenny in an email to her customers (of which I am one!). Dream in Plastic - I mean Zakka Joy - moved to Beacon in 2009, and is one of the veteran shops on Main Street, weathering many tipping points and being on the front lines of foot traffic that comes in - both legit, focused customers and wandering youth with backpacks who hover about the store, touching everything but buying nothing (why the empty backpacks?).

Dream in Plastic isn’t the only store to rebrand in Beacon. One of her neighbors, The Pandorica restaurant, went through a major rebrand when owner Shirley Hot transformed her Cup & Saucer theme to the Doctor Who show. She now attracts customers from all over the world.

What Is Zakka?

Photo Credit: Zakka Joy

According to Jenny: “Zakka (“Zah-kah”) is a Japanese word, for which there really is no English equivalent.”

In sum, Zakka means:

• Seeing the beauty in something mundane.

• Uncategorizable or miscellaneous things.

• Everything and anything that improves your home, life and appearance.

• Humble, everyday objects that bring their users great satisfaction.

• Things that accompany our everyday lifestyle spaces and provide an element of decoration.

• Things mixed together with great variety.

Combine this word with “Joy,” and you have that precious moment of joy. “The shop really is about is that moment of happy (ahem, ‘Joy’) you experience when you discover that one thing (or ten): a pencil that you cherish, a pair of socks with your favorite animal on them, a toy to keep you company, a hand-poured soy candle, or the perfect gift for someone,” explains Jenny.

Zakka (thing) + Joy (the feeling when you discover the thing) = Zakka Joy

You’ll notice similarities in the old and new in the new logo. Still a cute shape in the name (originally a little cloud, and now an emoji-type smiley face). Where Dream in Plastic was in all lowercase, Zakka Joy’s logo stands big and bold in all caps.

What Will You Find Inside of Zakka Joy?

The smiley face from the logo grows inside on the wall.
Photo Credit: Zakka Joy

Regulars of the shop know Jenny to have an ever-changing collection of inventory, from walls of cameras to walls of socks. In recent years, her collection of paper stationery and kitchen goods has grown. There is not an official stationery store in Beacon. There used to be - down on Jenny’s end of town - but that store closed long ago. (I still have several very pretty file boxes I purchased from that shop!)

While not a full-blown stationery store, Jenny’s addiction to paper is very much alive right now, with her large collection of journals, planners, and party decorations. Her art supply collection is growing as well, with charcoal pencils, funky erasers, highlighters that smell like strawberries and peaches, and some of the best rolling pens you have ever used. Impress your friends or even the ladies at the DMV with a pink pen carried in your purse (like I did!). It’s real easy and cheap retail therapy.

Inside, you’ll still find the pusheens you love, and collection of stuffed animal keychains. You will definitely find stickers and figures from the famous artist (who now lives in Beacon!) Tara McPherson.

It’s Real - The Instagram Has Changed

The name on the storefront has changed, and the handle in your Instagram has changed from Dream in Plastic to @zakkajoyny. Don’t worry, if you already followed Dream in Plastic, you don’t need to do a thing to follow the new shop online. If you don’t follow, why not? Hop to it for frequent doses of joy.

There’s a party to celebrate the name change on Second Saturday, August 10, 2019 from 6 to 9 pm. Remember when the shop used to have artist display on Second Saturday? Now the store itself is on display. Go give Jenny a high-five for all the work she has done to recreate her shop, which is always recreating anyway.

Postcard Books - Yes, Mini Books Sent By Mail - From Paravion Press At Binnacle Books

Photo Credit: Izdihar Dabashi

Photo Credit: Izdihar Dabashi

Summer is a haze of rush and lull with lazy days stretching like evening shadows and busy days of bustling afternoon traffic. Sunny seasons in Beacon are filled with expressions of travel: tourists flooding in for the various festivals and serenity of this riverside city; residents trickling in and out of town.

Traveler or not, postcards offer a distinctive alternative to a stale phone call or a routine text as a way of staying in touch. Especially intriguing, however, are postcard books - mini books to be mailed - available at Binnacle Books, published by Beacon-based Paravion Press.

What is a postcard book? The publisher at Paravion Press, Will Brady, enlightens us: “The concept came about at the shop in Greece [Atlantis Books, which Will co-founded] because we wanted to give customers an alternative to postcards, something they could mail easily but which had a bit of literary substance to it.”

The first page of a postcard book, intended for your short letter to your recipient. The rest of the essay or short story is printed on the pages behind this one. An envelope is included.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Binnacle Books, a charming bookstore nestled on Beacon’s Main Street, sells a collection of these postcard books. Postcard books are short reads meant to be sent by mail. Each book comes with an envelope and a blank first page titled “for your correspondence” for the sender to add in a few words of their own. Postcard books reveal a sense of thoughtfulness to the receiver, the sender having chosen a specific title to express a particular theme or message creatively through stories or essays in place of mundane phrases and cliché sayings.

Says Kate, co-owner of Binnacle Books about the postcard book project: “We love Paravion Press because the books are really beautiful, and because we think that the power of literature is the strongest when people connect with each other through it: Paravion builds in a charming and unexpected way to share literature and we love that. Will Brady designs and prints new editions of all the works, specifically to be mailed and shared. It's a whole engaging intellectual and aesthetic experience in a mailable form.”

What Inspires A Person To Send A Postcard Book?

One girl in the bookstore said that she loved the postcard books because they made available essays that were otherwise hard to find, usually lost in other larger collections of essays. Years ago, she said, a friend had sent her a PDF of an essay she loved. She re-discovered the essay through a postcard book from Paravion Press, and sent it back in postcard book form to her friend with a handwritten note on the intended first page. Postage is the same as a regular letter.

What Titles Are Available In These Postcard Books?

Inside of Binnacle, I found seven postcard book titles. Five are included in their first collection, appropriately titled “The First Series.” The collection includes:

• “The Beauties” by Anton Chekhov

• “On The Decay Of The Art Of Lying” by Mark Twain

• “Sophistication” by Sherwood Anderson

• “The Lumber-Room” by Saki

• “Feuille d’Album” by Katherine Mansfield.

The single titles include “The Hunting of the Snark” by Lewis Carroll and “How the First Letter Was Written” by Rudyard Kipling. Available in a variety of muted colors, from dusty maroon and delicate ivory to powder blue and subtle green, the sophisticated aesthetic adds to the appeal of miniature books in the mail.

A postcard book, “On The Decay Of The Art Of Lying,” by Mark Twain. Available in Binnacle Books. Envelope is included with the package. Postage is the same as a regular letter.
Photo Credit: Izdihar Dabashi

On Sending A Postcard Book To One’s Self…

Mark Twain’s “On The Decay Of The Art Of Lying” immediately caught my eye in my search for a birthday card to send to a friend; I figured a postcard book would provide sentiment and provoke conversation. I could not help but skim over the words inside, and before I knew it, I thoughtfully read the brief 11 pages of this curious piece. A balance of sharp critique and tongue-in-cheek remarks, Mark Twain crafted a refreshing, clever piece unraveling the psychology of lying.

To my delight, Paravion Press sells three more postcard book collections online including “The Madrid Series,” “The London Series,” and “The New York Series.”

Is it strange that I wish to collect as many as I can to send to myself?

Journaling Off The Grid - Where To Get Your Journal Book In Beacon

This month, I wrote my column for our friends at the Highlands Current about journaling. By hand. Preferably in the morning before you do anything else. The article talked about the exercise of moving your hands and fingers for writing in print, cursive or just doodling. It also talked about how to bring your kids into it. Read the article here online if you didn’t catch it in print this week on newsstands.

PS: Yes, there is a misspelling of a word in that photo above. And yes, it is the misspelling of my son’s name. It is missing the “r.” And yes, I am aware of it. And yes, it is what happens when you have three children. Remembering all of the letters in a word can become besides the point as you rush to get things done. :) Or if you need to maybe get tested for dyslexia, which I would actually love to pursue and learn more about.

Journals at Binnacle Books

Binnacle Books is first known for selling new books. But they also sell journals when they come across distinguished versions, because in addition to new books, Binnacle buys old or used books and writerly things.

Like a classic old trusty black leather journal with a wrap-around tie. Good for any person, and not declarative of any kind of whimsy or emotion that you might possibly be putting in there. It is ready for every mood.

For those with a more outreach-writerly mood, Binnacle has postcard books! Because why simply send a postcard, when you could send a postcard book, designed and produced by a publisher here in Beacon - Paravion Press - out of the old Beacon High School.

Postcard books from Paravion Press, a Beacon-based press. Available at Binnacle Books
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Blank but stately journals at Binnacle Books
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Journals at Dream In Plastic
(soon to be called Zakka Joy)

I know - before we get into this journal roundup at Dream In Plastic, you must know that shop owner Jenny has been working in the paper world for a while now - curating her storefront to be filled with stationery and kitchen fun - and is moving on from the word “Plastic.” More on that to come in an article. Because right now, we are focusing on what journals are in her shop.

Like these Japanese-inspired journals of many colors. Some are lined with regular old lines, and some are collages of different pieces of paper woven together. One could call these “blank” pages, but they may include grids or other designs. Great for those who fear staring at the blank white empty page.

The most non-committal form of journaling is to scribble onto random scraps of paper. You could then slip them into this rainbow-hued accordion paper filing book.

You might think these playful gray elephants below with polka-dotted ears are birthday invitations for a little person, but really, they are mini-journals for YOU. For those who are starting thin - you might not want to commit to a thick book - you could get a mini-journal. If you filled it up, and wanted another, you could have a library of these little journals, and then you could decide how to decorate the cover of the journal with a dated system to order the mini-journals that you accumulate…

PS: Loving those glossy purple nails? Shop owner Jenny got them done at Kim Nails in Wappingers Falls.

Back by the beard oil in the back of the shop, you’ll find this crackly little journal (and others, it has cousins) for if you are feeling especially literary. And introverted. If you are over-caffeinating, you might as well have the coffee with a chocolate croissant from All You Knead Bakery, to smooth you out a bit.

PS: See that nail color? That’s mine! Not quite as glossy as Jenny’s, but covered. Picked up this polish at Rite Aid, but you can also find nail polish at La Mère on the other side of town on Main Street.

So… under the sock wall, you’ll find rows and piles of journals. Pick up some of them, and you’ll see pages with flower prints and other prints to make you less scared to face the blank page. Don’t be fooled, though, into thinking this is a totally serious store. Sometimes this shelf holds rows of piles of birthday party plates and cups that sometimes are iridescent and involve unicorns.

Journals At Play

Located just down the block a smidge from Dream In Plastic is the store called Play. They have journals too, and in different styles. Some covers are heavier than others, and some paper thinner than others. If you’re the kind of person who writes on the reverse page of each page of your journal, then you’ll want to check to make sure these pages are thick enough to handle your ink.

For the young (or old) musicians in your life, there is the Songwriter’s journal at Play. Parts of the design inside the journal are dedicated to taking special notes if you were to capture sounds from your head, putting them onto paper.

Journals At No. 3 Reading Room and Photo Book Works

Some real heavy-hitters in the bookmaking business in Beacon are No. 3 Reading Room and Photo Books Works, located down on the east end of town near the mountain, in a quaint building that the business owners and artists bought in order to fit their needs. While mainly closed for a long summer vacation, they will have custom journals using handmade indigo-dyed paper over purse-sized journals, and letterpress-printed bookmarks with quotes about books, poetry and reading available during the holiday season. So be sure to check back!

Pens and Pencils

There are also pens and pencils at both Dream in Plastic and Play, which you could play with as you write in these journals. I know that when I was at the DMV getting amazing service at 4:30 pm to renew the registration on my car (it was weirdly empty at that hour midweek - so weird), the woman helping me loved the pink pen from Dream in Plastic that I took out of my bag to sign the receipt. You might say she was delighted, and wanted to buy that plus kitchen decor for her family member who just moved into an apartment.

Treat yourself. A really easy small spend to make you feel good for weeks and maybe months.

A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide!

For more shopping tips like this, and to find more shops that also might carry a journal or two in their store - maybe your next favorite journal - see A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide.

Beacon Fine Jewelers Moves Next Door

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

When a store is no longer in the spot you’ve seen it in for years, your first thought might be that it is simply gone. Looking right next door is actually not a thought that occurs to some people. Like when Beacon Barkery moved next door a couple of years ago. Such is the case with Beacon Fine Jewelers, who for years occupied a corner spot on Main Street, where they could hang a store shingle, as well as have another sign on the side of the building. That side sign has been replaced by their new neighbor, Edward Jones.

Run by a father/son team from Newburgh, Beacon Fine Jewelers can do most anything you need with your jewelry. They have their workshop in the back, and fire up and pound out many designs, including these little cutie copper critters we featured last Christmas. More of those critters are showing up in the storefront window, so do drop in to see more of them, and the other projects Beacon Fine Jewelers are working on.

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Pink Optical Closes Beacon Location

Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

The pink bench outside of Pink Optical that matched its geraniums has cheered its last tush. It was carted off down the street last week to its new home, as Pink Optical closed its Beacon location. It was known as “The Eye Candy Store” for designer frames from Betsey Johnson, Prada, Versace, Tom Ford, and other clothing designers who expanded to include eyewear lines.

Pink Optical came into town shortly after Luxe Optique opened up shop about five blocks west on Main Street. The big difference between the two is the lines of eyewear carried by each shop. Different brands were carried in each - Luxe Optique carries handmade frames from designers who specialize in only designing eyewear. Pink Optical may have had stronger competition from deep-discount online glasses stores.

If memory serves, Pink Optical replaced Get Frosted Cupcakery. Before they closed shop, A Little Beacon Blog interviewed Get Frosted’s owner Karen, which is a good read if you’re interested in why businesses start up and what factors into closing their doors.

Wishing Pink Optical the best as they are off to new pastures! Not sure where those pastures are, but chime in if you know!