The Planning Board will meet in the Municipal Center Courtroom at 7:00 p.m. A work session will take place at 7:00 p.m. for a training workshop, discussion of agenda items and/or topics of interest to the Planning Board. The regular meeting will begin immediately thereafter, but no later than 7:30 p.m.
Peek at the details below…
Continue review of application for Site Plan and Subdivision Approval, Mixed-Use Commercial and Residential, 45 Beekman Street, High Street, and High Street, submitted by Beekman Arts Center LLC and Bay Ridge Studios LLC.
Continue review of application for Site Plan Approval, 19 Henry Street, townhomes, submitted by Lori Joseph Builders, Inc.
Continue review of application for Site Plan Approval, 14 N Cedar Street, 4-unit multi-family dwelling, submitted by Cervone-Perrucci Realty.
Review of application for Site Plan Approval, accessory dwelling unit, 16 Rock Hill Road, submitted by Donna Schiehsl.
As reported by K104 and MidHudsonNews, the body of a 21 year old man who jumped from the Newburgh/Beacon bridge was found and recovered in the Hudson River on the Newburgh side on Monday morning, said State Police.
According to the article: “Police said the preliminary investigation revealed that the 21-year-old man, whose name was not made public, jumped from the mid-span of the bridge just before 11:30 a.m. on Saturday. He was a resident of Montgomery.”
The mid-span of the Newburgh/Beacon bridge is quite low. A person would not need to try hard to jump over it.
A good resource for anyone thinking of suicide, feeling extra low, or for helping a person with despondent thoughts, is NAMI Mid Hudson.
Resolution No. 75 - Appointing Cole Lawrence to the Position of Heavy Motor Equipment Operator
Resolution No. 76 - Approving the Appointment of Isabella Nocerino to the Position of Police Officer
Resolution No. 77 - Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute an Agreement with Sun Up Construction Corporation for the 2024 Beacon Accessible Curb Ramps Project
Resolution No. 78 - Authorizing the City Administrator to Execute an Agreement with MCT at Service, Inc. for the 2024 Beacon City Hall Exterior Stair Replacement Project
Resolution No. 79 - Authorizing the City Administrator to Submit an Application for a 2024 Climate Smart Communities Grant
Resolution No. 80 - Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds for the Fishkill Avenue Water Main Replacement
Resolution No. 81 - Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds for Highway Department Equipment
Resolution No. 82 - Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds for Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades
Resolution No. 83 - Authorizing the Issuance of Bonds for a Ladder Fire-Fighting Truck
Resolution No. 84 - Adopting Local Law No. 5 of 2024 Concerning Minimum Parking Requirements
Resolution No. 84 - Referring Proposed Local Law No. 8 of 2024 Concerning the Fishkill Creek Development District to the City of Beacon and Dutchess County Planning Boards
On Tuesday after midnight (Wednesday, July 31, 2024), “Beacon Police received a 911 call “of an upset subject” stating: ‘Looper's Plaza,” according to a press release issued by the department. Looper’s Plaza is the area that contains Beacon Dental, Sal’s Pizza, the convenient and wine store, and the basketball and tennis courts, at the intersection of South Avenue and Wolcott Avenue.
According to the press release, Beacon Police Department members “checked the area and located individuals in South Avenue Park walking away from the area toward West Center Street.” South Avenue Park includes the playground at the top left of the hill if one is facing the Beacon Recreation Center, which is located at 23 West Center Street.
“They stopped the individuals and one of them, a 16-year-old male, was observed to be bleeding. He stated he had been in a fight and was stabbed,” the press release stated. The teenager was transported to St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh. At the hospital in the Emergency Room, “it was determined that he had suffered a non-life-threatening laceration to the head.”
While officers were interviewing the teenager, two other teenagers entered the ER: 17-year-old female and an 19-year-old male who were “also suffering from non-life-threatening lacerations.” The press release stated that the male and female teens were “believed to be associated with this incident.”
The incident is under investigation, and no further details have been released. People with information about the stabbing incidents are encouraged call the Beacon Police Department at 845-831-4111 to ask to speak to a detective.
Example of a supportive comment at the top, followed by a insulting comment below. For businesses in Beacon or anywhere, slings at pricing for local business is tiring and can be more casually targeted at businesses run by people of color.
Last week, ALBB covered the opioid crisis related bankruptcy of Rite Aid as being the reason for their bare shelves. With the exception of the ice cream freezer, which employees said was broken. In response, one local reader, Lesly Deschler Canossi, commented via Instagram: “and leaving key food and molile pricing as only option on ice cream is just wrong.” She most likely meant the “Mobil” gas station in that typo. What is not a typo, however, is her intent of branding an image of pricing, which is misleading and untrue. The price of ice cream is nearly equal between Key Food and Rite Aid, with Rite Aid at times having the higher price.
Before we get started in this pricing deep dive, it must be recognized that there are people in Beacon who like to throw these punches at Key Food and Mobil, which are both locally owned by families who live in the community. Key Food is Yemeni American owned, and Mobil is South Asian American owned. When members of the Beacon community speak their rude remarks, is it racist? Islamophobic? Hangry?
It can’t be hangry since this is not the first time somebody took a swipe at Key Food for no reason. It has happened during a City Council Meeting, when Dennis Pavlov demanded that a bigger grocery store move in, for instance.
Are Local Contributions Recognized?
NAMI Ribbon PSA Campaign for Mental Health Awareness hanging outside key food on their trees, when the City Of Beacon denied NAMI from hanging them.
Key Food gives on a regular basis to organizations of Beacon, but are they recognized? This includes Key Food’s civic contributions, like when they donated 10’ of their parking lot years ago to be turned into mulched beds for trees to widen the feel of the sidewalk. Key Food also allowed PSA ribbons for the NAMI (National Alliance On Mental Illness) white ribbon campaign in May, when Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White denied NAMI the ability to hang them on lamp posts. The City of Beacon was the only municipality in this region who denied NAMI. The ribbons were everywhere else. Key Food allowed the ribbons on the trees in their parking lot, so that NAMI could have some representation in Beacon.
Facts: The Real Price Of Ice Cream
Let’s look at the real important issue here: the price of ice cream in the freezer.
In a Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough vs cookie dough comparison, Key Food was $6.79 and Rite Aid was $7.29. Other flavors varied, where Key Food was higher than Rite Aid by a handful of cents. Mobil, which is really a convenience store owned by Shah and not attached to Mobil, came in at $8.99. This means Mobil (or, Shah) can only buy ice cream in much smaller quantities than either Key Food or Rite Aid, giving him less buying power to pass a deal to customers.
Of Talenti, Key Food is $.60 higher than Rite Aid. Hardly sticker shock.
Discounts and Deals On Ice Cream
What also must be discussed are the discounts and deals on ice cream and other items at both Rite Aid and Key Food. Both offer deals with a VIP card. Rite Aid makes you use your card to get the deal. Which is a loss of your private data. Rite Aid then profits off your data by selling it to data mining companies who then hit your email inbox with personalized, flavored spam.
Key Food in Beacon just scans their own card, and off you go with your bonus special deal. Last week at Key Food, Haagen-Daz Ice Cream was 2 for $8 on Assorted Flavors, which comes to $4 per pint.
When you’re getting the coupon, be sure you read the label. If you grab a box that isn’t covered in the deal, then you’re not going to get the deal. Like these Haagen-Daz Vanilla Milk Chocolate bars. You get 2 for $8 of the box of 3. Not the box of 6 mini versions.
Ok? Ok.
And don’t miss the sale on Stone Ridge Creamery ice cream, where it’s $3.99 today.
But Wait, There’s More!
Did you know that Haagan Daz pints are only 14 ozs? Not even the full 16oz.
Winter is the hardest time for all of us. It’s a time when businesses need to get the word out the most, but budgets are low as tourist traffic dies down and snow shovels are out.
ALBB is offering a Christmas In July sale on advertising! For Main Street Businesses only.
Lock in 6 months of advertising now and enjoy the promotion onward. Partner with us each week to get the exact message out you want.
WEEKLY AD PRICING
REGULAR $200/month HOLIDAY SALE! $170/month BEST DEAL $150/month (Discounted Sponsor Subscription program auto-billing)
INCLUDED
Storefront Photo A square photo (your choice) of your business placed in the shopping guide + Logo.
Photo Gallery A few pictures of your establishment.
Event Listings List any and all of your events, and get them listed in ALBB’s Things To Do weekend newsletter.
Newsletter Weekend Feature Guaranteed placement in our weekend newsletter, known as the “Things To Do In Beacon Guide” or “Retail Therapy Guide.”
Weekly Instagram Post We will pull a photo from your Instagram every week & re-share it to our Instagram! Sometimes, we will come in & take photos of things we love & share them with our readers as well. *If you have a photo & specific writing that you want us to share, please email it to us by Wednesday of each week.*
Member Meetups A monthly member networking meeting (optional)
Except these: "bowl of banana pudding" and "coffee soft serve"...look for those down below.
Enjoy!
THE EVENTS + RETAIL THERAPY GUIDE
Great Newburgh To Beacon Swim Day: Saturday, July 27, 2024 (Rain Date: Sunday, July 28, 2024) Time: Check in 10:15am-11:45am Location: Unico Park, 70 Front St, Newburgh NY, 12550.
Swim is from Newburgh Riverfront Marina to Beacon Institute Dock Information >
Beacon's Annual Cookout Day: Saturday, July 27, 2024 Time: 10am-8pm Location: South Ave Park, Beacon, NY
Everyone come out for a day love, unity, community, family, food, music, games, basketball and dancing for all! Information >
First Aid Training - Free! Day: Saturday, July 27, 2024 & Sunday, July 28, 2024 Time: 12-1:30pm Location: Blackbird Infoshop & Cafe, 587 Abeel St, Kingston, NY
Learn skills to support your community… hands-on training to stop life-threatening bleeding/learn techniques to control bleeding in an emergency. Attend one of both for free! ADA accessible. N/95/KH95 masks required & provided.
Hudson Valley Free Day Day: Sunday, July 28, 2024 Time: 10am-5pm Location: Dia Beacon, 3 Beekman, Beacon NY
Hudson Valley residents receive free admission to Dia Beacon on the last Sunday of each month. The Hudson Valley encompasses the following counties: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Greene, Orange, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Sullivan, Ulster, Washington, and Westchester. Information >
Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturdays @ Boscobell from 8:30am - 2pm
Beacon Farmer's Market! Sundays from 10am-3pm at 223 Main Street
Beacon Flea Market! Every Fair Weather Sunday from 8am-3pm at Henry Street (behind the Post Office).
BAGEL-ISH
226 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Incase you haven't tried Bagel-ish yet... this is your sign to do so! Located right in the middle of Main Street, Bagelish offers batches of many flavors of her bagels, that she will even adjust her dough prep based on the humidity outside. Our favorite part? The bagels are all natural gut-friendly sourdough bagels, yet very, very light in consistency. Extra-ordinary. Reminiscent of European artisan breads. PS! Locals get 10% off on Thursdays! Follow Bagelish on Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Website >
You can now find Maggie & Ease inside the HV Food Hall! "I had no idea that a bowl of banana pudding would change my life... When you taste our recipes, you're biting into generations of flavor and deliciousness". Stop in for delicious jars... so many different flavors! Follow HV Food Hall's foodies:
CARTERS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 424 Main St.
Who doesn't love an antipasto?! Especially with house made bread sticks. We know we do - especially from Carters! PS: Happy Hour is from Monday-Friday PPS: You can book the Carter's Restaurant space for a private party and enjoy delicious spreads made by the Carter's Crew! Book ahead. Follow Carter's on Instagram > Carters Restaurant & Lounge is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY
193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Calling all coffee lovers...NOW INTRODUCING COFFEE SOFT SERVE at Beacon Bread!
Made with Big Trouble cubed concentrate from Counter Culture Coffee - this soft serve is an absolutely creamy and dreamy sweet treat. PS! OPEN MIC IS BACK! Every Tuesday weather permitting. In the back patio! PPS: BBC is open everyday 7 days/week! PPPS: Wholesale, special orders, and events/catering available. Follow BBC on Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
ZIATUN 244 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Ziatun offers authentic middle eastern cuisine using the freshest & finest ingredients made with love every single day. The Watermelon Feta Mint salad is our go-to this season... but we can't ever pass up the fresh vegetable filled dishes & hummus! Support your local Palestinian Restaurant PPS: Ziatun is open everyday.
Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Follow Ziatun on Instagram > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. People often use this newsletter to tell their friends where to go, and get ideas for themselves on what to order. This is a very hungry guide to put together each week. Learn More & Start Now >
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm @ Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturday's Website > Instagram >
High quality, grass-fed beef is known for it's excellent tenderness and superior flavor. High in Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin-rich, and nutrient dense! 100% grass-fed beef available at Eggberts! FARMERS MARKETS: Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 8:30am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 10am - 2pm DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
Stop into Binnacle Books for all new and used books that you'll want to get your hands on. They move fast! Ask for recommendations & find your next pool/beach read. Grab a tote while you're at it to keep all of your books in! PS have you heard about the Beacon Prison Books Project? See more here > Follow Binnacle on Instagram to keep up with their new reads and to get them right away! Learn More about Binnacle Books >
THE STATION
463 Main Street, Beacon
The Station is a local cannabis shop situated in a renovated police station in Beacon, NY. Stay tuned to what they will offer with their updates in the shop and for events/opening date by following The Station on Instagram. Follow The Station on Instagram > The Station is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. Readers love seen the magazine-like spread of what to buy inside of your shops, or if you have special classes or events going on. Learn More & Start Now >
Summer Tennis Clinic 2024 Two Sessions: August 8/5 – 8/9 and August 8/12 – 8/16 Times: High School Clinic 8:30am to 10:30am & Junior clinic 10:30am to 12:30pm Location: BCSD Highschool Tennis Courts Information >
Multi Sport Clinic 2024 One More One Week Session: August 5th to August 9th Time: 8am-12:30pm Location: Memorial Park & Rombout Middle School depending on weather Information >
Beacon's Lifeguard Certification Course Date: August 19 - August 23 Time: 9am - 1:30pm Location: University Settlement Camp Pool 5 Camp Loop Road, Beacon, NY 12508 Information >
Garden Time with Land to Learn Days: Every Wednesday Time: 10:30am-11:30am Location: Green Teen Garden at the Rec Center Information >
Aqua Zumba At The Beacon Pool Days: Saturdays 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24 Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am Location: The Beacon Pool, Beacon, NY
Seniors Chair Yoga
Stretch, move and strengthen your body! Gain physical awareness and balance! Reduce stress and have fun. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Mondays and Fridays Time: 9-9:45am Price: FREE
Dutchess County Office for the Aging Exercise Class
The Dutchess County Senior Exercise Program offers workout sessions for senior citizens in an effort to retain balance as well as bone density. Through strength training, seniors can shape their body and lose unwanted inches. Classes are conducted in a circle of 15-20 people using a chair for support and free weights. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Tuesday and Thursday Time: 10am
Pre-Registration is Required. Call 845-486-2555
Tai Chi and Qigong
Beginner and Advanced levels available. Gentle movements to cultivate your mind and body. Tai Chi and Qigong are easy vitalizing exercises you can learn to restore and maintain your health. You can practice them regardless of your age or health. The postures and movements are natural, balanced and simple. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY Times:
Sunday Beginners 9-10:30am
Sunday Advanced 10-30-12pm
Thursday Push Hands 9-10:30am More Info >
Beacon has a growing number of beauty salons and professional pampering to take advantage of - you can even book a transforming appointment at a lash bar! Be it a totally new hair style, makeup lessons, or a facial, you have options in Beacon. Check out ALBB's Beauty Guide here >
Special Message For Businesses:Click here to advertise in ALBB's Beauty Guide with a picture, logo and weekly promotions that will be featured here and on our Instagram.
BEACON DENTAL
1020 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, NY
(845) 838-3666
If you are looking for a more discreet orthodontic treatment, Invisalign clear aligners could be the right choice for you! This nearly invisible orthodontic treatment allows you to maintain a natural appearance while also straightening your teeth and smile. To learn more about Invisalign treatment, schedule a consultation with the one & only Beacon Dental! Explore all services > Beacon Dental is a Sponsor. Thank you!
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Stop worrying about what you're going to post on Instagram and when... Katie James, Inc. will go deep and get into the zone of your business month to month. Using our experience as one of the top local media outlets in the Hudson Valley, we can apply our gift of finding story ideas that people love, to your business. Your customers need to know what is going on in your creative business and/or inside of your storefront doors and we cannot wait to tell/show them with you! Reach Out to tell us about your goals!
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle a training platform and community for businesses, artists and makers who are getting the word out about their business. Tin Shingle teaches PR, social media and content marketing tactics to regular people to help make their pitching and brand story telling smarter, engaging and more appropriate for the media to consider for article features. Tin Shingle produces weekly webinars called Training TuneUps, which offer free access to niche classes, as well as one-on-one training opportunities. PS! Believe it or not, it's time to start pitching for Christmas! Join our membership for all of the tools you need. Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
Got your running shoes on? We have a list of 5K races coming up for 2024!
Upcoming Race: 2024 MHRRC Dutchess County Classic
Day: Saturday September 14th, 2024 Time: 8:30am Location: Robinson Lane Park, 95 Robinson Lane, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 Information >
AVAILABLE GUIDES TO SPONSOR: These Guides really need the ongoing support from businesses or individuals in order for us to continue them! This sponsorship is intended for businesses who are not in the Guides mentioned above.
After the sale of the building that housed Max’s on Main went through, rumors swirled faster than a Hudson Valley micro-burst that the new restaurant would be a steakhouse. “It’s going to be like Peter Lugars! What has Beacon become!?” lamented some Beacon people, as they shook their heads, convinced that the last of the old Beacon restaurant bars were gone.
The doors are down at Lyonshare, making way for the new double doors. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Joe’s Irish Pub was replaced by Momo Valley, which moved from its vendor stall in the Hudson Valley Food Hall, a spot known for being an incubator of food businesses who eventually leave the nest for bricks and mortars of their own.
The building that housed Antalek and Moore Insurance Agency was sold by a generations deep Beacon citizen to a new owner, which ended the location of longtime Roma Nova (but find Roma Nova on Route 52 (Fishkill Avenue)! where Roma Nova permanently popped back up!), the barber, Bratt’s Florist, and Dutchess Community Outreach, who also offered a food pantry, were also pushed out by price and landlord negotiations. Dutchess Community Outreach did pop back up around the corner on Eliza Street. These are recent examples of businesses clinging to Beacon as they secure new leases when buildings turn over.
“I Can Assure You It Will Not Be A SteakHouse” Says New Owner
Enter one of Beacon’s newest building owners, Bud Schmeling, who bought the former Max’s building at 246 Main Street. “I was the manager of Peter Luger Steak House. That’s probably why people thought this would be a steak house. I can assure you, it will not be a steak house,” Bud told A Little Beacon Blog, after he reached out to this publication to quell such rumors and give us the inside scoop on his vision.
This building was not the first that Bud considered. “I was looking at other places,” Bud told ALBB. “Dogwood was for sale. We talked to them.” Dogwood, co-founded by former City Councilmember and current artist/builder George Mansfield, ended up selling Dogwood to local multi-real estate property and business holder, Brendan McAlpine.
Bud continued: “I came across this [246 Main Street]. Richie and his brother wanted to retire. They were ready. They left on their own terms. I have a good relationship with Richie. He has been helpful in the transition. No one came in and ran him out.”
ALBB can attest that Richie and Harvey Kaplan were selling the building before Harvey’s unexpected passing. Years ago Richie even asked ALBB if we wanted the building, to turn it into a hotel! We can barely pay our own electric bill and countless Roblox dollars to our kids, let alone college savings accounts. So we passed on the opportunity.
Were there Residential tenants OF the building?
The building has apartments upstairs that were low income housing. They were not in the best shape, but at times, employees became tenants. In fact, one of the older employees who was facing eviction from his apartment above the former Joe’s Irish Pub after its new owners came. He wasn’t being evicted for not paying rent. Those landlords wanted to increase his rent, so mounted a legal campaign to evict him. He was considering one of Richie’s apartments as a place to land, but settled elsewhere in Beacon, knowing the move would be temporary with the pending building sale.
Bud explained to ALBB: “As far as the tenants go, there were only a few left. Some of them actually worked for Richie. He gave them many months notice that he was selling the building and it needed to be vacant. That was the stipulation of the sale. They all had ample time to look for new lodgings, and we permitted them to stay as long as needed until they were settled. No one was upset or surprised as they knew early in the year that Richie sold the building. There weren’t any evictions. It went very smoothly.”
246 Main Street To Be Renovated To Original Historic Look
A photo of 246 Main Street from decades ago. Photo Credit: Beacon Historical Society
Bud’s plans are to restore the building to its original look, based in part on a photo he found from the Beacon Historical Society. Did Bud know that the building had recently been designated historic, and that Richie and Harvey objected to the City of Beacon doing that? Fearing that it might hinder the sale of the building since any upgrades would need to fall within historic code which tends to be more expensive?
“No,” Bud told ALBB. “These are the plans I had for it anyway.”
Milk Washing Everything - Flipping The Look From Dark To Light
Former patrons will experience a total change from the outside to the inside of the building. According to a photo held by the Beacon Historic Society, the building was white washed with black windows.
“It is called milk washed,” But explained, “where you’ll see the original red brick under the white coating.” This aesthetic will be inside and out. The infamous dark wood bar is being replaced with a white quartz top. Regulars who were used to sitting in the warm wood might experience a pleasant surprise of fresh white quartz.
The tin ceilings will remain, but are being changed from black to antique white. The front door entrance will be grander, with double doors that are almost twice the height. The kitchen has been completely ripped out. “We need to keep it to code, so all of it is getting redone,” Bud confirmed. Outside the kitchen, where the service station used to be, will be the oyster bar. Bud showed this to ALBB by placing his body in the middle of the corner and spreading his long arms to approximate the size. His eyes lit up as he envisioned the events they could have around the oyster bar, with a similar bench layout of seating down the living room side of the restaurant.
The restaurant will be called Lyonshare.
Will It Be A Hotel Upstairs?
As Bud is renovating the building, ALBB asked him where he is staying. Did he buy something? Is he renting? “Rent is worse here in Beacon than it is in NYC. Finding someplace to rent has been difficult. I’m still searching.” Will he make himself an apartment upstairs? “The building is zoned as a hotel,” Bud told ALBB. “I think eventually it might be a hotel. Right now, we are just wanting to get the restaurant open. Maybe in 6 months we want to figure out what to do up there. Everyone I talked to thinks that would be a good idea.”
Bud says he is heartened by the sense of community in Beacon, and those in the restaurant business who want to help him. “All the other restaurant owners. People from Carter’s. The bar people. Everyone has been super helpful. They offered a list of vendors. I feel the sense of community. That has been very refreshing.”
Bud’s Entertainment, Music and Arts Background Will Bring More Things To Experience In Beacon
Bud opened Black Betty in Williamsburg, in 2000. Williamsburg at that time was undergoing a massive transformation, from blocks and blocks of garages - literal garage doors everywhere with bands playing behind them sometimes - to a neighborhood with baby strollers. “We were one of the first bar/restaurants in that first wave.” When they closed earlier than anticipated in 2009, one publication described Black Betty as “among the first of North Brooklyn’s early gentrifiers to be driven out of the neighborhood.”
In an article capturing what seemed to be a dramatic closing nine years later during a lease negotiation dual, Bud was quoted as saying: “‘We were definitely the first of a new breed of Williamsburg bars and performance places — and I don’t see something truly replacing Black Betty,’ said co-owner Bud Schmeling, whose intimate concert venue and attached Middle Eastern restaurant has drawn acts including Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and Antibalas for free shows.” The food was also described as North African and Mediterranean.
Bud says he is digging into Beacon as his place of residence, plans to be at the restaurant every day, and intends to join the Elks Club. He was manager at Peter Luger for 14 years. After that, he was manager at Gage and Tollner. “It is there I met Adam Shepard,” Bud expands, “who was the executive chef and is designing our menu at Lyonshare.” Bud is also currently a senior writer at the award winning Victory Journal, a quarterly on sport and culture.
Are The People Of Beacon Satisfied?
Prior to this article publishing, ALBB described Bud’s stated plans to a focus group person who was committed to believing the rumor of the steakhouse concept. After a blink, the focus group person reflected: “Well, Beacon needs a steakhouse.” Proof that these Beacon people cannot be satisfied.
Based on Bud’s culinary and life experiences, seems like this renovation is going to bring another breath of fresh air to the block, which is flanked by Palestinian owned Ziatun, Isamu, Homespun, with Healthy In Color for carefully nutritionalized juices and salads across the street.
Not the Nail Bar! Bare shelves of ice-cream, deodorant, makeup in Beacon’s hot retail summer set off readers to inquire what was going on with Rite Aid on Main Street. While there was no impact on beer, snack drinks, and vitamin supplements, inventory on the shelves has been dwindling these past months. “We’re not going anywhere,” one employee assured A Little Beacon Blog. “We have too much foot traffic. They aren’t closing our store.” Welcome to the Bankruptcy of Rite Aid 2024 Edition.
Rite Aid filed for bankruptcy in October 2023, where it sought to address its debt, close stores it deemed under-performing, sell off non-core business, and sell its pharmacy benefit company, Elixir, as reported by Reuters. “Before it filed for bankruptcy, Rite Aid faced over 1,600 lawsuits alleging that pharmacy chain ignored red flags and illegally filled prescriptions for addictive opioid medication.” According to Reuters, Rite Aid was being sued by the Department of Justice, and several local governments in opioid lawsuits for “filling suspicious prescriptions for addictive opioid pain drugs.”
According to a Beacon employee right here on Main Street, some vendors were skeptical of not getting paid, so have not been accepting re-orders on product. Or, said the employee, the system to make a re-order gets glitchy to use. “But it should be better by the end of summer. The bankruptcy is finished,” they told ALBB. On June 28, 2024, a U.S. bankruptcy judge approved Rite Aid's restructuring plan, “allowing the pharmacy chain to cut its debt by $2 billion and turn over control to a group of lenders,” Reuters reported, which it said saved 28,000 jobs. As for opioid related lawsuit payouts, 22,000 people stood to receive $250-$500 each, according to the article. Rite Aid reached settlements with 16 of the 17 states in which it operates in.
One ALBB reader and Rite Aid employee told ALBB via Instagram: “Beacon store is safe! Rite Aid is officially out of bankruptcy. Just a waiting game on getting the store fully stocked again 😅 As for the ice cream: the freezer is busted 😂🤣”
Berte is closing after 6 years, and everything is on sale, even the fixtures. But the sale is not the news. It's the loss of the high aesthetic design store and of store owner Aimée deSimone herself out there on Main Street. Fellow shop comrades chimed in to Aimée's announcement:
Vintage shop Blackbird Attic commented: "So sorry to hear of this news, I know how difficult the decision must have been 😞. I’ve always envied your shop, perfectly curated, you will be missed on Main! ♥️"
Fellow collaborator on local events, Hyperbole, also felt the loss: "We love being your neighbors and friends. Everything you’ve built and accomplished is so inspiring. We will miss you, Berte — but on to the next big project ❤️"
The jeweler King and Curated saw the positive: "What a great chapter it was! Glad it brought us together. Excited for you mama. All is well that ends well. You’ll be missed on Main. ❤️"
Your Bizarre Day: A Comedy Show Day: Friday, July 19, 2024 Time: 7-8:30pm Location: Beacon Music Factory, 333 Fishkill Ave. Beacon, NY Information >
Beacon Open Studios Day: Friday-Sunday, July 19-21, 2024 Time: Artist Studios open from 12-6pm Time: Events scheduled throughout the weekend. Location: See Beacon Arts Website
One of Beacon's most highly anticipated events, Beacon Open Studios, where you get to go inside of the studios of several artists. Get your walking shoes on, and check the Restaurant Guide for where you want to eat when you finally collapse. Information >
Cool Kids Club: Bee Happy
Day: Saturday, July 20, 2024
Time: 10am-11am Location: Vincent's Eat-Paint-Love Studio, 331 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Talented, fun and friendly artist will walk your child through step by step to create their painting! Information >
Local Teen Plays Cello To Raise Money For Subway Fare To Music College Day: Saturday, July 20, 2024 Time: 10:30am Location: Bank Square
An ALBB Citizen Reporter submitted this tip that encouragement had occurred in Facebook when a parent posted this: "I want to send a sincere thank you to an anonymous someone. My son plays cello on Main St a couple of hours a week. He’s saving money to pay subway fare to attend the Manhattan School of Music Summer Program. He doesn’t come home with a whole lot ($20-$30 for a couple of hours) but it’s been helpful. Yesterday he only made about $5 and was cleaning his stuff up to leave when a woman ran over and dropped a $20 in his cello case.This meant a lot to my child and I’m really grateful to you."
Hudson Valley Renegades Vs. Rome Emperors Day: Saturday, July 20, 2024 Time: 5:05pm Location: Heritage Financial Park, Fishkill, NY Information >
Great Newburgh To Beacon Swim Day: Saturday, July 27, 2024 Information >
Kevin Hart: Acting My Age Day: Saturday, July 20, 2024 Time: 7:45pm Location: MJ Nesheiwat Convention Center, Poughkeepsie, NY Information >
Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturdays @ Boscobell from 8:30am - 2pm
Beacon Farmer's Market! Sundays from 10am-3pm at 223 Main Street
Beacon Flea Market! Every Fair Weather Sunday from 8am-3pm at Henry Street (behind the Post Office).
BAGEL-ISH
226 Main Street, Beacon, NY
When Bagel-ish owner Beth George, who recently opened in her new spot in the new-ish apartment building in the middle of Main Street, sees a bagel in your hand, she can tell by the inside that isn’t hers. That’s because Beth pays such close attention to each batch of many flavors of her bagels, that she will even adjust her dough prep based on the humidity outside. Bagel-ish bagels have this unique texture softness combo that leave you wanting another bite, and also wondering how it feels like you lowered your head onto the softest pillow, but you’re eating a salty bagel.
A Little Beacon Blog welcomes Bagelish as a new sponsor of ALBB’s Things To Do In Beacon for our Restaurant Guide! With that, Beth wants to announce the newest thing for you to do on Thursdays: go to Bagelish for Locals 10% off Thursday! Read More > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL 288 Main Street, Beacon, NY Website >
Nothing brings you back to the delicious days of our youth like a combination Creamsicle and Vanilla ice cream on a hot summer afternoon 🍊 Stop into Five Pennies Creamery for homemade delicious ice cream located inside the HV Food Hall! Follow HV Food Hall's foodies:
CARTERS RESTAURANT & LOUNGE 424 Main St.
We get excited every time Carters releases their new updated drink specials because they're always unique, refreshing, and so good. Plus, any can be made into a mocktail so there is really something for every body! PS: Happy Hour is from Monday-Friday PPS: You can book the Carter's Restaurant space for a private party and enjoy delicious spreads made by the Carter's Crew! Book ahead. Follow Carter's on Instagram > Carters Restaurant & Lounge is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEACON BREAD COMPANY
193-195 Main Street, Beacon, NY
French-style bread is made fresh by hand every morning, exclusively using organic King Arthur Flour to ensure superior quality and flavor. In addition, BBC's bakery team focuses on using seasonal, responsibly-sourced ingredients for various breakfast pastries and desserts, including croissants with imported French butter, financiers, canelés, and much more! Get in there early while it's super fresh out the oven! PS! OPEN MIC IS BACK! Every Tuesday weather permitting. In the back patio! PPS: BBC is open everyday 7 days/week! PPPS: Wholesale, special orders, and events/catering available. Follow BBC on Instagram > Beacon Bread Company is a Sponsor, thank you!
ZIATUN 244 Main Street, Beacon, NY
Stop into Ziatun for authentic middle eastern cuisine using the freshest & finest ingredients made with love. The Watermelon Feta Mint salad is BACK and it is SO good... A super refreshing and delicious salad to enjoy during this time of the year! Support your local Palestinian Restaurant PPS: Ziatun is open everyday.
Monday-Saturday: 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Follow Ziatun on Instagram > Ziatun is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. People often use this newsletter to tell their friends where to go, and get ideas for themselves on what to order. This is a very hungry guide to put together each week. Learn More & Start Now >
Eggbert’s Free Range Farm @ Cold Spring Farmer's Market Saturday's Website > Instagram >
Just in case you get a hankering for chili during one of the blitz summer downpours, Eggbert’s has your choice of ground meats! Ground turkey, chicken, pork and of course, beef. At the Beacon Farmers Market on Sundays, and online ordering every day! FARMERS MARKETS: Saturdays: Cold Spring Farmer's Market 8:30am-1pm Sundays:Beacon Farmer's Market 8:30am - 2pm DELIVERY: 🚚 Delivering to Cold Spring, Cornwall, New Windsor, Newburgh, Beacon, Fishkill, and Wappingers Falls. Eggbert's Free Range Farm is a Sponsor, thank you!
BINNACLE BOOKS
321 Main Street, Beacon
Stop into Binnacle Books for all new and used books that you'll want to get your hands on. They move fast! Ask for recommendations & find your next pool/beach read. Grab a tote while you're at it to keep all of your books in! PS have you heard about the Beacon Prison Books Project? See more here > Follow Binnacle on Instagram to keep up with their new reads and to get them right away! Learn More about Binnacle Books >
THE STATION
463 Main Street, Beacon
The Station is a local cannabis shop situated in a renovated police station in Beacon, NY. Stay tuned to what they will offer with their updates in the shop and for events/opening date by following The Station on Instagram. Follow The Station on Instagram > The Station is a Sponsor, thank you!
Feature your business each week in A Little Beacon Blog's Newsletter, Blog pages, and Instagram. Readers love seen the magazine-like spread of what to buy inside of your shops, or if you have special classes or events going on. Learn More & Start Now >
Beginner Skateboarding with Andrew Singh- The Summer Session Days: 1 week evening session from July 15 to July 19 Time: 6pm – 7pm Location: RAMPS @ Memorial Park
Ages 6-12 Information >
Summer Tennis Clinic 2024 Two Sessions: August 8/5 – 8/9 and August 8/12 – 8/16 Times: High School Clinic 8:30am to 10:30am & Junior clinic 10:30am to 12:30pm Location: BCSD Highschool Tennis Courts Information >
Multi Sport Clinic 2024 One More One Week Session: August 5th to August 9th Time: 8am-12:30pm Location: Memorial Park & Rombout Middle School depending on weather Information >
Beacon's Lifeguard Certification Course Date: August 19 - August 23 Time: 9am - 1:30pm Location: University Settlement Camp Pool 5 Camp Loop Road, Beacon, NY 12508 Information >
Garden Time with Land to Learn Days: Every Wednesday Time: 10:30am-11:30am Location: Green Teen Garden at the Rec Center Information >
Aqua Zumba At The Beacon Pool Days: Saturdays 7/20, 7/27, 8/3, 8/10, 8/17, 8/24 Time: 9:45 am – 10:45 am Location: The Beacon Pool, Beacon, NY
Seniors Chair Yoga
Stretch, move and strengthen your body! Gain physical awareness and balance! Reduce stress and have fun. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Mondays and Fridays Time: 9-9:45am Price: FREE
Dutchess County Office for the Aging Exercise Class
The Dutchess County Senior Exercise Program offers workout sessions for senior citizens in an effort to retain balance as well as bone density. Through strength training, seniors can shape their body and lose unwanted inches. Classes are conducted in a circle of 15-20 people using a chair for support and free weights. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY When: Tuesday and Thursday Time: 10am
Pre-Registration is Required. Call 845-486-2555
Tai Chi and Qigong
Beginner and Advanced levels available. Gentle movements to cultivate your mind and body. Tai Chi and Qigong are easy vitalizing exercises you can learn to restore and maintain your health. You can practice them regardless of your age or health. The postures and movements are natural, balanced and simple. Location: Beacon Recreation Center 25 West Center Street, Beacon, NY Times:
Sunday Beginners 9-10:30am
Sunday Advanced 10-30-12pm
Thursday Push Hands 9-10:30am More Info >
Beacon has a growing number of beauty salons and professional pampering to take advantage of - you can even book a transforming appointment at a lash bar! Be it a totally new hair style, makeup lessons, or a facial, you have options in Beacon. Check out ALBB's Beauty Guide here >
Special Message For Businesses:Click here to advertise in ALBB's Beauty Guide with a picture, logo and weekly promotions that will be featured here and on our Instagram.
BEACON DENTAL
1020 Wolcott Avenue, Beacon, NY
(845) 838-3666
At Beacon Dental, they are dedicated to providing you and your family with quality dental care tailored to your individual needs. They welcome patients aged 4 and older and provide a full range of dental services to help you achieve and maintain excellent oral health throughout your life. When you visit their dentists and team, you can be certain that your health, comfort and smile are always their highest priorities. Beacon Dental is also happy to announce that they now accept Medicare health insurance! Call them for a free cleaning & check-up and refer your family & friends! Explore all services > Beacon Dental is a Sponsor. Thank you!
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Stop worrying about what you're going to post on Instagram and when... Katie James, Inc. will go deep and get into the zone of your business month to month. Using our experience as one of the top local media outlets in the Hudson Valley, we can apply our gift of finding story ideas that people love, to your business. Your customers need to know what is going on in your creative business and/or inside of your storefront doors and we cannot wait to tell/show them with you! Reach Out to tell us about your goals!
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle a training platform and community for businesses, artists and makers who are getting the word out about their business. Tin Shingle teaches PR, social media and content marketing tactics to regular people to help make their pitching and brand story telling smarter, engaging and more appropriate for the media to consider for article features. Tin Shingle produces weekly webinars called Training TuneUps, which offer free access to niche classes, as well as one-on-one training opportunities. Tin Shingle is a Sponsor. Thank you!
AVAILABLE GUIDES TO SPONSOR: These Guides really need the ongoing support from businesses or individuals in order for us to continue them! This sponsorship is intended for businesses who are not in the Guides mentioned above.
When Bagel-ish owner Beth George, who recently opened in her new spot in the new-ish apartment building in the middle of Main Street, sees a bagel in your hand, she can tell by the inside that isn’t hers. That’s because Beth pays such close attention to each batch of many flavors of her bagels, that she will even adjust her dough prep based on the humidity outside. Bagel-ish bagels have this unique texture softness combo that leave you wanting another bite, and also wondering how it feels like you lowered your head onto the softest pillow, but you’re eating a salty bagel.
Thursday’s At Bagel-ish Are Locals Discount
A Little Beacon Blog welcomes Bagelish as a new sponsor of ALBB’s Things To Do In Beacon for our Restaurant Guide! With that, Beth wants to announce the newest thing for you to do on Thursdays: go to Bagelish for Locals 10% off Thursday! This local discount is good Hudson Valley wide. Their bagels are so good that they sell out fast. Gluten Free people can stop in also to discuss their dietary needs.
Owner Beth George is a world renown bagelist. She has trained people from over 15 countries and uses Mondays and Tuesdays to train other aspiring bagel makers.
Thursdays - Sundays are your days to go to Bagel-ish in Beacon. Hours do change often - which is on brand for the “ish” in Bagel-ish. Mark mid-morning as your time. Stock up on bagels if you need one super early. They freeze well and heat nicely in the morning.
Founded in 2018 by Aimée deSimone, Berte is a curated home decor and gift shop, specializing in handcrafted goods and modern design that bring joy and fun to your day to day. It is a boutique curated with products - "the kind you can actually live with, not just admire" Aimée aimed to make her shop "a haven of warm aesthetics and approachable design."
Coming to Beacon from the TV and Film industry, Aimée "harnessed my love of research, passion for storytelling, and discerning eye to craft a brand that places human beings at its very core. Inspired by my own travels and admiration for local shops, it's been a dream to see Berte become a must-visit destination for design-minded customers looking for inspiration and joy."
Adored by the media. Berte was featured in Glamour, HGTV, InStyle, ApartmentTherapy, Food& Wine, Chronogram, Hudson Valley Magazine, and other publications.
Neighboring businesses expressed sadness at the announcement. Vintage shop Blackbird Attic commented: "So sorry to hear of this news, I know how difficult the decision must have been 😞. I’ve always envied your shop, perfectly curated, you will be missed on Main! ♥️"
Fellow collaborator on local events, Hyperbole, also felt the loss: "We love being your neighbors and friends. Everything you’ve built and accomplished is so inspiring. We will miss you, Berte — but on to the next big project ❤️"
The jeweler King and Curated saw the positive: "What a great chapter it was! Glad it brought us together. Excited for you mama. All is well that ends well. You’ll be missed on Main. ❤️"
“After six inspiring years, Berte will be closing its doors at the end of the summer.
“This has been a very difficult decision to make, but we are simply at a point where it is no longer sustainable to continue on with the business. I am deeply grateful for the support and love you have shown us over the years, and would like to celebrate our time together with a special closing sale.
“Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being a part of the Berte community. I truly feel like the luckiest person in the world to have worked on my dream shop for so long...something I never could have done without your support.”
Everything On Sale
The sale continues in a schedule of markdowns. Do visit the shop to get the latest.
July 8-17 - 30% off Full Price Inventory, 10% off Sale July 18-24 - 40% off Full Price Inventory, 15% off Sale July 25-31 - 50% off full price inventory, 20% off Sale
According to the City of Beacon’s Highway Department staff, speed bumps go down around Memorial Park on Robert Cahill Drive in the spring, and are removed in the fall for the convenience of the snow plows.
However, when ALBB first asked this question of this missing speed bumps in 2021, the answer provided was that the speed bumps are always down.
But they aren’t always down. It is almost August in 2024, and the speed bumps have not been screwed into the holes in the pavement, as pictured here.
Holes in the pavement by the baseball fields at Memorial Park. The speed bumps are inserted here seasonally.
Speed bumps can also be experienced on Wilkes Street. However, from some in the Highway Department, there has been a history of resistance to the speed bumps. This could be heard by former mayor Randy Casale, a former longtime Highway Superintendent for Beacon years ago when he would push back on citizens’ requests for speed bumps in their neighborhoods.
Highway Department trucks and other city vehicles pass through the area frequently, between the dirt and equipment holding area at the Dog Park, providing lawn maintenance, patrolling, and other reasons to rude around the Memorial Park loop.
While there have been no verbal requests for speed bumps this year at City Council Meetings, the annual speed bumps are not there.
This Friday, on July 19th at 11am est, SUNY BDS will be hosting an international panel with participants around the globe to discuss the student movement in support of Palestine. Since the beginning of israel’s genocide, we have seen that complicit rulers and capitalists stand on the side of israel while peoples of the world and students continue to stand up for Palestine. It is time we bring together all our movements for a stronger and more coherent resistance against Zionism and imperialism internationally!
Following the massacres committed by the Zionist entity upon innocent men, women, and children, students across the world have joined forces to take an unconditional stance in solidarity with Palestine. The unconscionable human rights violations committed with our taxpayer money– with our complicity –demands that we fight and do our part for the Palestinian liberation movement.
Just as SUNY BDS strives to bring together the 64 SUNY schools in New York state, we are hosting this panel to bring this effort to a global audience. We witnessed in the past 9 months how student organizers become more empowered and successful when allowed to organize in spheres with like-minded comrades. This panel will be a first step to truly Globalizing the Intifada.
Our panel will include students who organize and fight for Palestine on 4 continents:
SUNY BDS (New York)
Columbia University (New York)
Özgür Üniversite Hareketi (Türkiye)
Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS)
Students for Palestine (Netherlands)
American University of Beirut (AUB) SJP Lebanon
University of Tokyo Komaba Campus Encampment
Glasgow University Ghassan for Rector, Scotland, UK
Students will be sharing their experiences from their respective countries, discuss the state of the Palestine solidarity movement across the world, and think about ways to develop our coordination as the struggle continues. We invite everyone to join the conversation in a spirit of international solidarity that we will advance going forward!
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.
