Photo Credit: Brianne McDowell while commuting to her job in NYC at 4:26am.
In a statement issued via the City of Beacon’s Emergency Alert System, City Hall will be closed today, and tonight’s City Council Meeting and scheduled Public Hearings have been rescheduled to next Monday, December 9.
”Due to inclement weather, City Hall will be closed today and will reopen at 8 am on Tuesday, December 3. The City Council meeting and associated public hearings scheduled for tonight have been adjourned to Monday, December 9 at 7 pm.”
You can sign up for the Alert System by visiting the City’s website, or scrolling down this website (A Little Beacon Blog) to find the link in the right-side column. You can select how you want to receive the alerts: phone, text, or email. All of the above, or one or two of the above.
Beacon is being pelted with ice rain as the temperatures have been in the 20s this Sunday post-Thanksgiving, with more precipitation predicted for Monday, prompting delays to be announced early.
According to an email sent out by the City of Beacon’s City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero, City Hall will be opening on a two-hour delay on Monday, December 2, 2019, “for non-essential employees,” he says. It will open at 10 am, pending no additional developments.
Beacon City Schools called for the Monday closure of schools and administrative buildings on Sunday night by 6 pm, a call that most people had predicted, with the double days of snow or ice rain forecasted.
Having just returned from driving through Pennsylvania after the Thanksgiving holiday, we can confirm that the roads are bad, cars have slid off the highway, and some trucks have given up and pulled over - but salt and plow trucks are out on the highways on, what is for some, their first run.
This is it! 3... 2... 1... Shop! The best part is, you live local, and you live among some pretty amazing shops with some pretty amazing clothes, earrings, paintings, sweaters, gloves, toys, hair color, nail polish, air plants, kitchen gadgets that solve your life's problems, tattoos, and more. Yeah - Beacon! One mile of retail solutions that you can feel good about because the shops are owned by your friends and neighbors. PS: Speaking of air plants, there is a new furniture design store in town where you can find such holders, tables, shelves and more...
Even if those friends/business owners live in Poughkeepsie or Hopewell Junction and commute to Beacon each week to serve you up with a delightful shopping experience, you are helping them. And helping yourself because you bought something awesome.
Embrace the season, but safely: Turn on that Christmas carol station. Let it snow. Drive safe. Pump the brakes. Don't pass on the left if a car has stopped in front of you to turn left (biggest pet peeve about Beacon drivers especially in the snow).
Let's help ourselves out and hit up this Black Friday and beyond! Some deals await you in this issue of The Things To Do In Beacon Guides:
City of Beacon Tree Lighting
Day: Saturday, November 30, 2019 Time: 4 to 6 pm Location: Welcome Center, Main Street & 9D, Beacon, NY
Make an ornament, enjoy hot drinks and cookies, enjoy carols sung by Scouts and welcome Santa Claus. The tree will be lit at dusk. Information >
Spring Street Reading Series
Day: Saturday, November 30, 2019 Time: 7 pm Location: Atlas Studios, 11 Spring St., Newburgh, NY
Writers will explore their relationship to food in this month’s event. The evening includes Beacon residents Emily and Matt Clifton, authors of Cork and Knife: Build Complex Flavors with Bourbon, Wine, Beer, and More! Information >
Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.
Reklaimed on Main with Kat
Days: Friday to Sunday, November 29-December 1, 2019 Times: Friday, 11 am to 7 pm; Saturday, 10 am to 7 pm; Sunday 11 am to 5 pm Location: CreateSpace Beacon, 145 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
2019 Thanksgiving-Calorie Burn 5K Fun Run/Walk
Day: Sunday, December 1, 2019 Time: 10 am to 2 pm Location: 1568 NY-9D Wappingers Falls, NY
Looking for an affordable, family-friendly way to burn off those extra Thanksgiving calories? Then register for the 2019 Thanksgiving-Calorie Burn 5K Family Fun Run/Walk. $10/Adults (14+), Children/$5 and Adult Groups of 3+ members $7/person. All proceeds go to help local families in need. Information >
Pete Sanfilippo Holiday Run
Day: Saturday, December 7, 2019 Time: 9:30 am & 10:15 am Location: Knights of Columbus, Village of Wappingers, NY Information >
BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END
Darryl's Women's Clothing Boutique
155 Main Street www.darrylsny.com
Everyone: Meet Cammy, one of the stylists working in Darryl's. She's ready to style you in your next outfit! She's pictured here outside of The Inn & Spa at Beacon, neighbor of Darryl's Clothing Boutique. She styled an outfit just for this issue of ALBB: the jacket with bell sleeves, and black-on-black velvet polka dot pants. BLACK FRIDAY DEALS:
- 20% off all full-price fall/winter fashions
- An additional 20% off all already-reduced fashions, for savings up to 60% off original prices, excluding accessories.
Luxe Optique
183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com BLACK FRIDAY DEALS:
- Buy a $100 gift card and get $20 bonus, plus free eye exam!
- If you buy a $300 gift card, you get a $50 bonus and free eye exam.
- 30-50% off select brands like Christian Roth, Lafont, and Christopher Cloos. TIP: Buy a gift certificate for yourself! This is a great time to save on frames you need.
BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END
Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique
1 East Main Street, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light)
Covering multiple storefronts, Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique's windows showcase a Winter Wonderland at night, at 1 East Main Street. Stop in at Trax next door to warm up with a hot chocolate or coffee.
The Crafty Hammer
4 South Chestnut Street, Beacon, NY
(845) 834-9665 (WOOD) @thecraftyhammerllc
Black Friday Fun Day For Kids
Day: Friday, November 29, 2019 Time: 10 am to 2 pm, 2 pm to 6 pm Location: The Crafty Hammer, 4 S. Chestnut St., Beacon, NY
Do you want to do a little shopping without the kids? The Crafty Hammer is having a drop-off makers workshop today on Black Friday with two different sessions! Children bring lunch or dinner and Crafty Hammer supplies the snacks and beverages. Kids will make a holiday wood project and watch a holiday movie. Come in anyway to see The Crafty Hammer in action! Information >
A Little Beacon Blog's
Summer Camp Guide Advertising
EARLY-BIRD SPECIAL
One of ALBB's most anticipated seasonal guides is having an Early-Bird Black Friday sale. Camp programs in the Hudson Valley can have featured listings in this guide with logo, pictures, enhanced description, and prominent placement. The Summer Camp Guide ranks #1 in Google for summer camps in Beacon, NY! Even if you don't know your program and date details now, buy now to lock in your savings. Sale Details + Pricing >
For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide.
Cold Fit Cryotherapy
473 Main Street, Suite 4
Beacon, NY BLACK FRIDAY DEALS:⠀
- Buy a 10-Pack Whole Body Cryotherapy and get two sessions FREE ($70 value)⠀
- Buy a 5-Pack Firm and Tone and get one session FREE ($300 value)⠀
Now is the perfect time to take advantage of these savings and give the gift of cryo to your loved ones (or yourself)! Specials are valid through Monday, 12/2. Call (845) 842-8085 or visit us at www.coldfitcryotherapy.com to book.
33 Davis Street, Beacon, NY 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathroom From Gate House Realty: "A stunning classic brick beauty in the heart of Beacon. An open palette for your design and restorative touch." Price: $399,900 Real Estate Agent: Gate House Realty, (845) 831-9550 Details + Pictures >
Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
Price matters in insurance, but so does having someone local in your corner. Learn More
A Little Beacon Space :: Black Friday Deal!
35% off any package! That includes a Full Day Retreat Meeting, Pop-Up Shop, Small Day/Night Meeting, Business Cocktail Party, etc. Buy today, use any time. You'll book it on a certain date, but we can let you change your date if you need to. Coupon Code:BLACKFRIDAY (offer valid Black Friday and Small Business Saturday only) Check Pricing & Availability >
Beacon Chamber of Commerce :: Business Directory
Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? No? Why not? It really should be. Join here today. Learn More >
MASTHEAD Producers of this newsletter include:
Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer
Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor
Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide
Advertise With A Little Beacon Blog
The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community in a meaningful way.
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.
The makers at The Crafty Hammer have opened their workshop space for a Kids Drop-Off Day while you shop Black Friday!
They are having two workshop sessions on Friday, November 29, 2019. Snacks, food and a project are included. For kids who get fidgety with the widgets, there will be a movie room, too!
This is a perfect opportunity to see what The Crafty Hammer is all about, and just how big and diverse their space is. See their website for registration details to sign up and for age ranges.
Located at 4 South Chestnut Street, next to the new wellness pharmacy and across the street from Rite Aid. The Crafty Hammer is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog’s Classes Guides! Their support makes what we do possible.
We have been in the space with the kids several times, and it’s a great way to occupy little minds! Glitter everywhere. But not on your kid, of course! They clean up good.
The car-charging station at 13 South Avenue near the Visitors Center (aka the Welcome Center) is activated and ready to charge your car for $1.25/hour.
This small parking lot has two entrances: one on South Avenue, and one on Wolcott Avenue (aka Route 9D).
The other charging station is in the DMV parking lot near Homespun. That charging station and parking lot are owned by Dutchess County.
Another charging station is at City Hall, and is expected to be activated in the next two weeks, according to Beacon’s City Manager, Anthony Ruggiero.
Beacon has had a bicycle tree representing its welcome into the holidays for the last nine years. For the last eight of those years, this tree was the only ceremonial tree that was lit up at Beacon’s welcome intersection at the corner of Main Street and Wolcott, which is also the location of Beacon’s Welcome Center.
A large evergreen tree stands rooted in the ground next to the Welcome Center, and it has had lights on it, but it wasn’t being used for the city’s official tree lighting. The tree of wheels was. This year, the City of Beacon will have a tree lighting - of the earth-rooted tree - but the Beacon Bicycle Tree will not emerge.
Why? Why did Beacon have a tree of bicycle wheels for its annual lighting in the first place? Some people wondered this silently, while enjoying the annual tradition, and others wondered it aloud, in criticizing manner, a manner of complaining that this was a tradition imposed upon them.
Exploring The Bicycle Tree, And Why It Was Created
The real reason the Bicycle Tree was created, according to Ed Benavente, the artist behind the interactive sculpture, is that there simply was no ceremonial tree lighting prior to his sculpture version. Nothing was lit up in a ceremony of any kind at Beacon’s front door. If no tradition existed at all, then the experience was a blank canvas that Ed was tempted to fill - with the help of some of his friends.
For the past several years, the City of Beacon has not been an investor in public events. The public events that people enjoy, like the Spirit of Beacon Day, the kids Halloween parade, and other such events, are the result of groups of people feeling so strongly about an event that they get together and organize it. The Bicycle Tree became one such project; Ed gained support from BeaconArts to produce and promote the work. Eventually, the City of Beacon also got behind it financially, and became a partner in the tree lighting.
At the time of the tree’s inception, Beacon’s art scene was thick with artists filling in the voids where festivities were not happening. BeaconArts as an entity started as a way to help promote artists, but adopted a lot of business promotion since that was lacking as well.
Ed explained to A Little Beacon Blog his inspiration to start the Bicycle Tree:
“I started this project along with the Beacon Arts Community Association at a time when public Christmas celebrations seemed to be waning and lacking a central event. I wanted to see if we could create a related art project that was different and meaningful in spite of having no funding. By incorporating the themes of recycling and transportation, I cobbled together the first Bicycle Tree. A half-dozen or so people then gathered around it to sing Christmas carols led by Kelly Ellenwood (an opera singer) and Stephen Clair (founder of Beacon Music Factory). The spirit of the season was invoked and a tradition was born. My intention was to do this once or twice, but the enthusiasm grew, more volunteers stepped up, more bicycle parts were donated and Beacon Arts eventually partnered with the city Park and Recreation Department to establish an annual event drawing an estimated 500 people one year for the lighting ceremony.”
The Bicycle Tree Artist’s Statement On Why It Is Not Getting Built This Year
As Ed shared his scoop with A Little Beacon Blog, he was removing his well-known hammer sculpture that resided in front of Brett’s Hardware on West Main Street, set up as part of the outdoor public art exhibition, Beacon3d. That event has just ended, as it always does at this time of year. PS: You can always buy any of these Beacon 3D sculptures… They become part of our lives as we walk past them daily or weekly, but really they are just on display. Contact the artist to find out how. Usually artists are not salespeople and they might forget to mention that.
Ed shared the news with a bit of an Eeyore tone. Not entirely happy about it, yet solid in his decision. He tried describing the current status of the Bicycle Tree, that it was pushed aside, under his summer lawn equipment, that was going to take a long winter’s nap until the artist shed got cleaned out come spring.
“Each year brings new challenges,” reflected Ed. “Each year, I wonder if it can be done. Each year I have been encouraged and supported by a team of volunteers and the community at large. This year, I have to concede that my own time and energy is lacking and it's time to take a break.”
According to Ed, his grand visions of the Bicycle Tree were never fully realized. Each year, he did add new interactive elements to it. Kids could turn gears and make wheels move over here or over there. New lights were brought in and strung up.
To dig into the mind of Ed, to discover more about why he designed this design, one would check out his Artist Statement. That’s where artists state what drives them. According to this statement at the Austin Art Projects, Ed was the perfect fit for an interactive project like this, that involved religion and meaning and the human experience:
The work of Ed Benavente is largely focused on the illustrative portrayal of the human condition. Whimsical yet often with a footnote of serious thought and contemplation.
We may never know what his engineering vision was. “Although the Bicycle Tree will be absent this year,” says Ed, “the Bicycle Menorah may still make an appearance, as well as the Bicycle New Year's Ball drop at Fountain Square (Dogwood). The Bicycle Reindeer might also make an appearance here and there.”
Is There A Tree Lighting In Beacon?! Yes.
“Christmas tree fans should not despair,” encouraged Ed. “There will be a traditional, real, live Christmas tree lighting event on Saturday, November 30 at Polhill Park, complete with music, snacks and Santa!” Details about that lighting are here.
Just so you know, Ed used to pedal Santa down Main Street in his mysterious Bicycle Reindeer bike. At this point, the bike is not scheduled to be anywhere. So the only chance you have to see it is … keep your eyes peeled for its red glow and musical sounds as it makes its way through Beacon - maybe.
Report back if you hear or see it.
PPS: If you want to send Ed your thoughts and memories of the tree, you can email him at ed@beaconarts.org
He has received one such comment, via ALBB’s Instagram, from @emilymac8: “Ed Benavente, if you're seeing this please know your work was a magical part of Beacon childhoods, especially my daughter who was born in 2009. Thank you for filling what was a void, and filling it in a quirky fun interactive way.”
Last year marked the first year that a group of organizers orchestrated a Christmas tree lighting around an actual live tree, versus the Bicycle Tree that had been built in years prior. The new tradition, with the nature-based tree, will continue for 2019. The Bicycle Tree, however, will not be built for 2019. You can read all about why here.
Details for the tree lighting for Beacon are below:
City of Beacon Tree Lighting Day: Saturday, November 30, 2019 Time: 4 to 6 pm (lighting to happen at dusk, ETA 5:50 pm) Location: Welcome Center - Main Street and Route 9D, Beacon, NY Make an ornament, enjoy hot drinks and cookies, enjoy carols sung by Scouts and welcome Santa Claus. The tree will be lit at dusk. Information >
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.”
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!
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.
Perhaps this is the year you have accepted that Thanksgiving has been swallowed by Christmas, and that is OK. For those who view it as a gathering of friends and family for some very heavy food, why not treat it as a holiday about that?
Decorators of houses may have traditionally waited until after Thanksgiving to put their yard art out, but this year, the lights have started blinking from front porches and apartment windows.
Some of you have already brought home your Christmas trees on the roofs of your cars. You know who you are.
So it’s time to go all in on the winter holiday season. Therefore, thank you City of Beacon for putting up the wreaths this Monday morning!
Back when we started the Summer Camp Guide for Beaconites, it was primarily because there were so many great camps around us, yet it was hard organizing which camps which of our children should go to on which dates. So we made a list about it, and that list quickly got used by many, many parents to referred to it as a bible as they plotted their summers.
We have also now learned that the building of these Summer Camp Guides starts in November (a great tip given to us by a magazine publisher friend). So we are announcing now the ability to get us your information so that A Little Beacon Blog’s Summer Camp Guide can be spit-spot ready to go by March, which is when the camps start sending out their notices to parents, and parents begin locking in plans.
About A Little Beacon Blog’s Readers:
Readers come from Beacon, but they also come from other Hudson Valley towns including Fishkill, Wappingers, Peekskill, Kingston and Poughkeepsie. Even New York City! We have even gotten requests from people who live in those communities to start something like A Little Beacon Blog in their cities or towns.
READERSHIP 21,500 views/month 3,690 followers on Facebook 4,900 followers on Instagram 1,700 newsletter subscribers
How A Little Beacon Blog’s Guide Works (The Secret Sauce)
Our guide is a living guide, which means that it lives online on the same web page every year. This is how it has maintained its #1 ranking in Google over the years for people searching for summer camps. All of our Guides work this way, in fact. Here’s our Secret Sauce:
Lots of Great Recommendations: We include basic information for camps based in Beacon for free. This includes the dates. The dates are the most important part for parents.
Links: We include links to camps’ websites because that’s what Google loves, because readers love links. Easy-peasy connections to info!
Dedicated Sponsor Pages: Advertising camps get their own pages on A Little Beacon Blog. So, you pay for a page on our website that can include lots of details about your camp, including price, descriptions, photos, etc. Even videos if you have them!
Why Advertising In The Guide Is Crucial For Camps In And Outside Of Beacon
There are a lot of great camps. The space even inside of Beacon has gotten crowded. Parents look outside of Beacon for different date ranges, age ranges, and specialties. A Little Beacon Blog’s Summer Camp Guide is a central place for them to refer to as they research and register.
So Much! While we started listing as much as we could for free for Beacon businesses, we started drowning over the years. We no longer can keep it up without sponsor support from the camps.
Dates get released late into the season. While this turns into breaking news and is good for us to get the scoop on, we might not get to it because, well, Life. This is why advertising is helpful. It locks in your update!
Stand out in the competition. Those who advertise get logos and photos, and can get featured on the main page of the Summer Camp Guide.
Early-Bird Special - Pay Now - Get Your Camp Info Updated In Advance!
The Early-Bird Special is going on now for enhanced listing in A Little Beacon Blog’s Summer Camp Guide. Parents are planning their summers early. Let them see your programming and dates!
An advertiser at Level 2 in that guide ($485 Early Bird, regularly $685) is ID Tech Summer Camp. See how their listing looks in the main Summer Camp Guide, and then the special sponsor page they get.
Ladies - and gents and everyone with hair to care for! - your hair miracle is here. The original Moroccan Oil at the Green Room, located allll the way around Main Street near the mountain, past The Blushery, and near a free parking lot. Pair this oil with the conditioning mask. Some people use it daily (ahem)! Accept no imitations. We’ve tried ‘em. This is the real deal to get your hair in the best shape ever.
Find this tip and more in A Little Beacon Blog’s Beauty Guide! Which is proudly sponsored in part by Cold Fit Cryotherapy, also on Main Street but heading the other way - near Brothers Trattoria. Cold Fit Cryotherapy is where you can now go for a full-body, super-cold, super-quick treatment to treat aches and pains, jiggle stubborn fat, and other benefits. Popular on the West Coast right now, and now in Beacon too.
We know you're getting ready for it ... the big Thanksgiving week ahead! Travel, food, clothing. It's going to be a great week (right?) especially if you're prepared. Luckily, we have ideas from our local business supporters that will make getting what you need easy.
TIP: Next Friday at 8 am, we are publishing our Black Friday Issue that will include the deals from our amazing advertisers who help make producing this publication possible. Friday will be a big day for you to find savings from your favorite stores, hair salons, restaurants, wherever it is that you need things from. Don't be shy about buying gift certificates for yourself (totally doing this at Salon Dae).
If you are a retail business who has been thinking of advertising with A Little Beacon Blog, this is a great time to start. Here's how.
Little 3x3 Boxes Art Contest Reception
A fundraiser for the Sloop Woody Guthrie
Day: Saturday, November 23, 2019 Time: 6 to 9 pm Location: Scenic Hudson River Center (Red Barn), Long Dock Road, Beacon, NY
Little canvases have been painted, and the artwork is available for purchase by bid at this annual reception party. Information >
Live Concert: Chris Forbes (Pianist)
Day: Saturday, November 23, 2019 Time: 8 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Live Concert: 4x4 Music Off Road
Day: Sunday, November 24, 2019 Time: 5:30 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Plan ahead and check out what's coming up this month in our Events Guide.
Mid-Hudson Etsy Makers Holiday Pop-Up Market
Day: Saturday, November 23, 2019 Time: 10 am to 4 pm Location: Howland Cultural Center, 477 Main St., Beacon, NY Information >
Re-Pop-Up Perma-Pop-Up of Sleepwalker Textiles
Day: Through December 31, 2019 Time: See store for hours. Location: Next to the Beacon Hotel, 428 Main St., Beacon, NY Get The Scoop >
BOUTIQUES ON THE WEST END
Darryl's Women's Clothing Boutique
155 Main Street www.darrylsny.com
You just got invited to an awards dinner. Or a gala. Or a fancy family dinner party. What will you wear? First thought: Go to Darryl's. On the racks now is a flirty little black velvet polka dot dress with long sleeves and a tiered skirt. Pictured here is a deep navy blue number, also with polka dots and a puff sleeve. (We may or may not have bought this after photographing it...) Ask about their long skirts and pants, too!
Luxe Optique
183 Main Street www.luxeoptique.com
Eye candy! That's what you'll find at Luxe Optique, especially on the shelves from French Collective.
BOUTIQUES ON THE EAST END
Lambs Hill Bridal Boutique
1 East Main Street, Retail #3 www.lambshillbridalboutique.com (near the dummy light)
"Rain or shine, you'll always be mine" - what a lovely photoshoot, this #lambshillbride is still glowing! We are also crazy about this beautiful fall-inspired bouquet.
The Crafty Hammer
4 South Chestnut Street, Beacon, NY
(845) 834-9665 (WOOD) www.thecraftyhammer.com
SAVE THE DATE!
Black Friday Fun Day For Kids
Day: Friday, November 29, 2019 Time: 10 am to 2 pm or 2 to 6 pm Location: The Crafty Hammer, 4 S. Chestnut St., Beacon, NY
Here's the answer to the scheduling crazy that could be shopping on Black Friday. Entertain your kids at The Crafty Hammer on Black Friday! There's drop-off service for kids on Black Friday, with two different sessions. Children can bring lunch or dinner. Snacks and beverages are provided. Kids will make a holiday wood project and watch a holiday movie. Information >
For a full list of upcoming classes, visit A Little Beacon Blog's Kids Classes Guide.
15 Fairview Road, Fishkill, NY 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathroom From Gate House Realty: "Total privacy in this completely renovated contemporary-style home, on a half-acre of property bordering state land." Price: $475,000 Real Estate Agent: Gate House Realty, (845) 831-9550 Details + Pictures >
A Little Beacon Space :: Black Friday Deal!
A Little Beacon Space is going to have a Black Friday deal! It will be 50% off any rental package. Short meetings, medium meetings, full-day meetings, pop-up shops, anything. Friday only. To be used at any point in the future. Details to come in next week's newsletter. Check Pricing & Availability >
Antalek & Moore Insurance Agency
Event planning includes a lot of details. Antalek & Moore makes the insurance part easy. Let them do the homework and find you the best rate for the coverage you need. Learn More
Beacon Chamber of Commerce ::
Business Directory
Is your business in the Business Directory of the Beacon Chamber of Commerce yet? No? Why not? It really should be. Join here today. Learn More >
MASTHEAD Producers of this newsletter include:
Katie Hellmuth Martin, Publisher, Writer, Designer, Photographer
Marilyn Perez, Managing Editor
Catherine Sweet, Editor of the Second Saturday Guide
Advertise With A Little Beacon Blog
The support from every advertiser of A Little Beacon Blog helps make local news get produced. You can be part of making it happen, and get your business in front of the community in a meaningful way.
Here’s the deal, guys: Here’s how one of the most fun advertising packages works at A Little Beacon Blog. It’s a program we created just for Main Street businesses.
No other magazine does it this way. We crafted it this way because we love telling stories. We love showing pictures. We love 💕 sharing the juicy details of what our small-business friends are doing with our readers.
Black Friday is next week. In addition to this weekend’s newsletter, we are prepping next week’s because we too will be traveling and shopping! We are going to all of our subscription advertisers to find our what they are offering for Black Friday, and including it in this next newsletter. If you were thinking of joining as an advertiser in our Guide advertising (curated recommendations), or our new Business Directory, now is the time to start. We can include your special Black Friday Deal in this roundup.
✨✨HOW IT WORKS✨✨
SHOPPING GUIDE: $185/month to show storefront and product photos that best reflect your shop and logo. $285/month is that and weekly features in the newsletter and blog! Plus random Instastories.
RESTAURANTS: Our Restaurant Guide ranks top in Google for people searching for where to eat in Beacon. $185/month to elevate your listing with a storefront photo, logo, and photo gallery. For $285/month, get that, plus music and event listings. People want the musical lineups, but we can’t list them all for free. We’ll drown! Help us help you. Includes Weekly features in the weekend newsletter.
CLASSES: Another reader favorite. We randomly feature curious and on-off classes. For more control of your description and listings, you can enhance this listing. $185/month includes your photo, logo, photo gallery, and overall class programming with links to where to buy. $285/month is that, plus weekly features in our weekend newsletter.
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.
Support for this publication comes in part from these businesses. We have highlighted what makes them special on their own dedicated pages. Want your business listed here? See the "Sponsor Spotlight" or "Event Promotion" option in our Advertising Page.
A podcast from A Little Beacon Blog. Your hosts: Katie Hellmuth martin & Brandon Lillard.
The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
