A Revival! And Chicken Bang Bang :: Things To Do! 5-10-2025
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EMS Community Safety & Education Day 2025 From Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps
/Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps presents “EMS Community Safety & Education Day 2025.” This free event is designed to bring the community together for a day of learning, safety, and fun.
WHERE: The Beacon Elk's Lodge, 900 Wolcott Ave. Beacon, NY 12508
WHEN: Saturday, May 17, 2025
TIME: 12 PM to 4 PM, rain or shine
Who Will Be There - Which Services
The City of Beacon Police Department and Nuvance Healthcare
Free car seat inspections, adjustments, and replacements if necessary.
Free installation and hauling off of old car seats included. Please bring your child for proper fitting. Fingerprinting Kits - Available for children to ensure their safety and security. (kits are handed back to the parents)
City of Beacon Fire Department
• Explore a real fire engine and learn about fire safety.
Us Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Engage with representatives and learn about water safety and emergency procedures.
Dutchess County Mental Health
• Resources and information about mental health services available in the community.
The Medical Reserve Corps of Dutchess County
o Information on volunteer opportunities and emergency preparedness.
Family Services of Dutchess County and The Grace Smith House
• Learn about resources for domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.
Town of Fishkill Police Department with Police Cadets
• Meet the cadets and learn about their training and community involvement.
New York State Troopers
• Experience the seat belt rollover demonstration to understand the importance of seat belt safety.
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• Check out ATVs and learn about outdoor safety and environmental conservation.
The United States Marine Corps
• Engage with the Marines and learn about their role in community service and national security.
James Grabinski, Health Insurance
Saturday: Rally and March for Palestine: End the Occupation, Free Them All
/“Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley, and our partners of conscience are calling people into the streets for an All Out for Palestine Rally and March,” say Tina Bernstein and Anna Jacobs, representatives for the group.
“With the US as its collaborator, the Israeli Government has been committing a live-streamed genocide and now is brazenly proclaiming its plan to completely occupy Gaza and execute this plan through forced starvation and displacement of millions of Palestinians.”
Tina Bernstein, who is Jewish, has been speaking out against the genocide of Palestinians since the day it started, and recorded a podcast episode with A Little Beacon Blog, describing her feelings so early in the extinction.
“As Jews, we have lived this before and recognize this moment as a dangerous rise in fascism, and an escalation of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. We will not stay silent and we will continue to stand up for Palestine, and demand the US government stop supporting Israel. We say ‘Not in our name’ and ‘Never Again is Now.’
Who: Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley and partners partners.
What: All Out for Palestine Rally and March
Where: Kingston, NY Mini Park. 21 North Front st
Day: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 6PM
Visuals: Banners, live music, participants are asked to wear black, bring pots and pans and an offering to leave in remembrance.
Walk-In Care Center Opens In Beacon - CareFull MD
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The New walk-in center for urgent care, Carefull MD.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Laundry World, before it became CareFull MD.
Photo Credit: Carefull MD.
The closing of the laundromat at 252 Main Street was abrupt. And just like that…it was gone. Speculation of what would replace it had plenty of time to circulate, as nothing appeared for a while. And then something did. A renovation began inside. Wall partisans went up. A little time later, chairs filled what looked like would become a waiting room. Then the brand decals went up on the windows, officially signifying to the public that this would be a medical facility.
People of Beacon did want an urgent care of some sort in town. City Councilmembers had spoken about drawing medical companies to the properties down along the Fishkill Creek when they were mandating that those properties offer commercial as well as residential units. Currently, PM Pediatrics in Hopewell Junction is great for children, for a strep test or a potential broken bone. Excel Urgent Care is another, but has mixed reviews.
Enter CareFull MD, the new walk-in care facility next to Key Food that has opened after much anticipation. Owned by a single person, this facility is not a chain. The owner was searching for an ideal spot for a walk-in center as state funds became available to assist qualifying areas, and discovered Beacon. The long build-up to the opening was a result of how long it took to secure insurances.
CareFull MD intends to bridge the gap between visits to a primary care physician, and emergency room needs. They have a no-appointment-necessary policy and say they have affordable copay options.
On site, they have a lab for getting results quickly, X-ray machines, and COVID testing. Targeting the occupational and employment market with DOT physicals, drug/alcohol screenings, employment physicals, workers compensation and hazmat physical.
CareFull MD offers pediatric care, vaccinations, STD, illness and injuries and X-ray and lab testing.
Located at 252 Main Street next to Key Food.
"When Is Beacon's City-Wide Yard Sale?" - It Is The Second Saturday In June!
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A reader wrote in to ask: “When is Beacon’s City Wide Yard Sale?” It is the 2nd Saturday in June, from 9am-3pm.
“Do I have to register to have my yard sale?” they continued. “I just want to put stuff out in my yard.” You can put stuff out in your yard! You don’t need to register. The only reason to register is if you want your yard address listed on the City of Beacon’s map. Information is below.
City of Beacon’s City-Wide Yard Sale
Days: Saturday, June 14, 2025
Time: 9am-3pm
Location: Beacon, NY 12508
Shop Beacon’s yards! If you want to be on the City’s map, you’ll need to register here and pay a fee. But you don’t need to register to have a yard sale on this day or any day.
Information >
“Can I advertise my yard sale on A Little Beacon Blog?”
Sure! We created a special ad rate just for you. For $60, you can advertise your yard sale with us. To promote you, we will:
Create a dedicated page for Yard Sales on Beacon’s City Wide Yard Sale date.
List any yard address and theme that advertises with us. If you’re having a spread of records, or tools, or vintage, or a mixed bag. Whatever it is.
Picture of your yard sale when you are set up. We can zoom it up to our Instagram and Facebook. Maybe one of you will do this, maybe none of you will do this. If a lot of you do this, then we could flood ALBB’s Instagram with yard sales that Saturday!
Happy dumpster diving.
Beacon Wellness Pharmacy Across The Street From Rite Aid Is Fully Stocked!
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While we don’t know if another pharmacy is going to replace the big space that is currently Rite Aid, we do know that Beacon Wellness Pharmacy directly across the street is fully stocked! Yesterday, the pharmacy associate at the counter was already wearing her Spirit of Beacon t-shirt (the original limited edition version from our 2022 year when we unveiled the new logo).
Owner Enrique Reynoso opened Beacon Wellness Inc. in 2019, with corporate experience at both Rite Aid and Walgreens. He always offers the flu shot, and in the early days of COVID, he did all he could to source vaccines for those who wanted them.
Shelves are fully stocked with pain medication, allergy relief, Epson salts for the bath, travel hygiene products, loads of Beacon t-shirts and shot glasses, and more.
The isles are small, so this will not be a destination for wheelchair-bound people or for kids after school releases when they head to Rite Aid for snacks. But it is a store packed with resources, prescription medication and a caring staff.
Beacon Wellness Inc. is proof that you can have both independent, locally-owned stores in a mix with corporate big box in order to deliver on everyone’s needs and retail experience preferences.
OPINION: Beacon City Council And Some People Of Beacon Should Be Cautious About Poo-Pooing Franchises and Corporate Box Chains
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The announcing of the closing of Rite Aid in Beacon has rattled the people of Beacon. Beacon’s Rite Aid made it through the first bankruptcy, but all stores are closing in the second bankruptcy unless a brand like Walgreen’s parent company buys remaining stores and assets of the brand.
On Monday, Beacon’s City Council banned drive-thrus. The entire council, with the exception of Mayor Kyriacou, voted to ban drive-thrus. This came up because the Healey family on Rte. 52 proposed that they would use a large portion of their car dealership lot to transform into a Dunkin’ Donuts with 2 other commercial spaces connected and apartments above.
However, Councilperson Pam Weatherbee, who took it upon herself to spearhead a re-imagining of the entire Fishkill Corridor, with the blessing of Mayor Lee who appointed a Fishkill Corridor Committee to have a Group Think about it, does not want a Dunkin’ Donuts. Nor do some other people of Beacon who spoke loudly against it. Others who wanted a Dunkin' Donuts with a drive-thru didn't come to City Council Meetings to voice their opinion because they were busy doing their laundry at the laundromat next door because they don’t have washers and dryers in their homes. Councilperson George Mansfield felt that once you approve something like this, more fast food chains come “like a virus.”
Councilperson Jeff Domansky stated he much preferred somehow slowing the vehicular traffic on Rte. 52 - a major artery in and out of Beacon - so that he could enjoy a leisurely bike ride to a craft beer brewery like Industrial Arts Brewing. The brewery has “a phenomenal location with an amazing views and you can't beat the trip there,” he said before he voted to ban drive-thrus. A vote to essentially kill the Dunkin’ Donuts and accessibility measures for Autistic people, people with children, people who do still need to drive. But he didn't care. Nor did he care about the employment that a Dunkin' can provide as he was served a beer.
As for employment, which the Dunkin’ Donuts project was handing to Beacon, the Council was not impressed. When discussing self-storage facilities, that the Council was also considering banning because they aren’t sexy enough, Councilperson Amber Grant felt that self-storage facilities didn’t employ “enough” people.
Paul Yeaple, founder and owner of the hamburger joint Poppy’s as well as the building it was in (he sold the building to what became Meyer’s Olde Dutch), agreed that Dunkin’ Donuts didn’t employ “enough” people, ending his thoughts with “F*ck Dunkin’.” After selling his building, he went on to open a food truck at the river (another controversial topic with brick and mortars), and then a hot dog stand for one season.
Councilperson Paloma Wake felt that this drive-thru decision should not be a business first decision. But should be people and climate focused first decision. But businesses employ people. And people shop from businesses. Especially elderly and low income people who do shop from Rite Aid and Dunkin’ Donuts.
With the potential loss of employment for the employees of Rite Aid, how much further outside of Beacon will they need to go to get flexible shifts 7 days a week? Towns that are based on tourism of clothing boutiques and restaurants are fragile. The profit margins of boutiques and restaurants are slim. And their staffing goes up and down with the weather. Literally. If it’s a rainy day, forget it. Sales for that day are a wash.
The Beacon Planning Board reviewed the plans and traffic safety offerings of the Dunkin’ Donuts project, and approved it. In the proposal, the Healey’s noted that it is only viable with a drive-thru. But with the City Council’s new ban on drive-thrus, the project will most likely die.
Beacon’s City Council needs to be cautious that it is getting what it wished for in a Hallmark Town or Disney Village. These things are pretend. They are on TV. And on cable no-less! We have to pay to watch them or go there.
While Beacon does serve as a film set at times, employment issues are real. The people of Beacon who stick their noses up at stores like this perhaps can live on the remote jobs they have. But others cannot.
Beacon’s City Council should rethink it’s discriminatory, disclusive vote and remove the drive-thru ban.
"Will Rite Aid Close?" ++ Reward Points No Good + Accrued Points & Bonus Cash Will Expire
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“Will Rite Aid close?” one reader wrote into A Little Beacon Blog this afternoon. Yes. The brand of Rite Aid announced the closure of all stores, distribution centers and assets, and gave their parting statement. The Poughkeepsie Journal published a list of the stores in the Hudson Valley that will close. That list has been republished below.
Will The Location Or Rite Aid Remain A Pharmacy?
Will the location of Rite Aid remain a pharmacy? We don’t know. We do know that Rite Aid is selling everything they have, and left the door open a wee bit for another brand to buy remaining stores. Walgreens once entertained buying Rite Aid, but then Walgreens was acquired by Sycamore Partners. Would someone like Walgreen’s parent company take the lease and rebrand the pharmacy? Not sure.
From AMNY’s article published May 6th: “All Rite Aid distribution centers will close, and all remaining New York stores will either close or be operated by a new owner.”
From the Poughkeepsie Journal’s article published May 7th at 5am, Beacon’s location is in the list as “set to close.”
ALBB went in to ask Rite Aid Beacon’s Manager Heather questions about how many full and part time employees work at Beacon’s Rite Aid, but she shut down any questions.
Rite Aid Reward Points And Cash
According to the Poughkeepsie Journal: “Rite Aid Rewards points will no longer be used for purchases starting Tuesday, May 6. All accrued points and BonusCash will expire within 90 days and 30 days of issuance, respectively. Starting June 5, the pharmacy will not honor any Rite Aid gift cards or accept any returns or exchanges.”
The Poughkeepsie Journal listed the stores “set to close in the mid-Hudson Valley:”
103 Hawkins Drive, Montgomery
701 Route 211 East, Middletown
657 Broadway, Newburgh
320 Main Street, Beacon
3350 North Road, Poughkeepsie
238 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie
1604 Route 9, Wappingers Falls
1 Crum Elbow Road, Hyde Park
Community In Wait-And-See Mode For Rite Aid Beacon's Fate During 2nd Bankruptcy and Closing Announcement
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Rite Aid announced its second bankruptcy and closing of 178 stores in New York State, AMNY and the Poughkeepsie Journal reported. While the Poughkeepsie Journal cited a letter sent to employees, there has been no confirmation of employees of the Beacon location being terminated. “Over the next few months,” AMNY reported, “all Rite Aid distribution centers will close, and all remaining New York stores will either close or be operated by a new owner.”
A Citizen Reporter for ALBB has been told by sources that the Beacon location shows strong signs of remaining open after the first round of layoffs (June 4th) to await the possibility of a takeover from another pharmacy brand. People are hedging bets out on the sidewalk, and ALBB's money is on Walgreens taking it over.
Fiercehealthcare.com reported that Walgreens has been acquired and taken private by Sycamore Partners, who “agreed to pay $11.45 per share for the company, an equity value of about $10 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. Walgreens said in a press release that accounting for debt and future payouts, the value could reach up to $23.7 billion.”
Rite Aid has indicated through reports that they are entertaining different sales options and has “acquired $1.94 billion in new financing to keep stores operational during the bankruptcy proceedings and potential sale,” reported the Poughkeepsie Journal. Not enough, however, for all employees, Bloomberg News reported. The first round of layoffs is expected to start June 4, AMNY reported. But for Beacon employees, this has not been confirmed yet.
Beacon’s Rite Aid withstood the store closures of during the first bankruptcy as ALBB reported, which was strongly impacted by settlements from more than 1,000 opioid lawsuits. Theft from stores is also apparently up, AMNY reported.
After the first bankruptcy, shelves remained spotty in Beacon, except for soda, beer and chips. Some brands continued to send inventory, like nail polish and makeup, eye care, allergy medication and other items hit-or-miss.
Rite Aid was one of the first corporate chain stores that ALBB reported on in a celebratory way in 2014, when they totally renovated to introduce a sliding front door and wider isles, giving the people of Beacon decency in their shopping experiences. This was a huge improvement for people needing accessibility, like people pushing strollers and people using wheelchairs. Usually a corporate critic, Ori Alon-Ray, was one of the first to tell ALBB of how he at first expected to hate on the article, but appreciated it when he realized someone in his family needed the accessibility features.
This, in a time when Beacon’s City Council made it increasingly difficult to work with corporate chains or franchises, as they just banned drive-thrus, which would include for pharmacies.
Beacon Wellness is located across the street, and Vogal, once located in the heart of Beacon, has since moved to Wappingers where it has more parking. The old spot for Vogal got renovated, had a tenant for a number of years, and has now been for rent for over one year, asking $7,200 and not budging.
People of Beacon are feeling possessive of their Rite Aid. While walking past Rite Aid on the way to Key Food, one reader, who we will call Sounds of Graphite on Paper, seethed a little under their breath as they spoke a little poetry:
this isn't the beacon i moved to.
i wanted a grocery store and a pharmacy i could walk to.
we have rite aid closing.
maybe.
to be replaced by something i can't afford.
it better not be another something big and bougie.
another restaurant selling food i can't buy.
tastes i can't eat.
New Job Listings: Crossing Guard for City of Beacon; Part Time Positions at Bagel-ish
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New job listings have been posted to ALBB’s Job Listing section:
🛑 City of Beacon is hiring Crossing Guards.
🥯 Bagel-ish is hiring for various shifts.
Details including rates and shifts for both are in ALBB’s Job Listing section here.
Advertisers with A Little Beacon Blog can post Job Listings for free. Job Listings can be purchased any time on our website here.
The Piggy Bank Is Back. The Business Backstory Behind This Revival
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Photo Credits: Photos of Building on the Left: Meghan Spiro.
Photo of Co-owners Greg Colon and Kamel Jamal: Katie Hellmuth
You’ve been reading about the new Piggy Bank around the webs here, here, and here. There is a depth to this revival. A meaning to its renovated significance from two food veterans on Main Street: Kamel Jamal (Beacon Bread, WTF, Ziatun, The Station Dispensary), and Greg Colon (Draught Industries). An unlikely pair to some, but a star-aligned connection for those who know them.
In the olden days of Beacon (version 14 years ago…which are “new/old” years for those who have lived here longer), there were a handful a restaurants you could choose from. Your choices were the Piggy Bank, Brothers Trattoria across the street for pizza, calamari and chicken parm. Further down Main Street was Sukhothai. Max’s on Main was still Max’s. Xin Xing, the Chinese restaurant next door was open (then closed, then just reopened). Ella’s Bella’s as a brick and mortar didn’t exist yet - it was just Carley delivering her rock-salt topped chocolate chip cookies to coffee shops like Bank Square.
There was a burger joint, a diner (not the Yankee Clipper diner but a straight up counter diner), BJ’s Soul Food, a café serving as a lunch spot, the Copper Roof Deli, Mr. Vs, a few ice cream spots and more pizza options. Draught Industries didn’t exist yet.
And then the tipping point started in Beacon. More people started moving here and tourism was increasing. The Piggy Bank closed and became Dim Sum Go Go and then The Vault. Hudson Valley restaurateur Kamel Jamal transformed the little faceless diner into Beacon Bread Company and WTF with a gorgeous interior (the storefront on the right is Beacon Bread as country-cottage bohemian, and on the left: WTF as plush upscale boho, eventually blending to become one restaurant). He then opened Ziatun, the Palestinian-owned Middle Eastern food haven.
Both eateries are decorated in what has become Kamel’s signature blue chairs and affinity for booths.
Draught Industeries, the bar opened by Greg Colon, who is the co-owner of The Piggy Bank 2.0.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Draught Industries, from Greg Colon, opened in what felt like a mysterious hallway with oak wood floors down by Kennedy’s Fried Chicken. It was narrow, warmly dark, lined with brick, and offered an unusual menu of craft beer with curious descriptions one didn’t see in these parts. Then Draught offered a very limited menu, and it became the first spot for regular Editorial Meetings for A Little Beacon Blog as we developed our collection of the Things To Do In Beacon Guides.
Years later, Greg boasts to ALBB of Draught’s California-style tacos: “Draught has the best Mexican food in your entire life. At least in Beacon.” But don’t tell Dulce Cielo MX he said that…
Former Owner of the Vault, Tony, Says Goodbye
Former owner of the Vault, Tony DiSarro and his wife Fran. After the closing of the sale to Kamel and Greg.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
During ALBB’s interview with Kamel and Greg to learn about their partnership for the Piggy Bank revivial, The Vault’s former owner, Tony DiSarro, and his wife Fran and their dog, walked in. Tony confirmed that they were retiring. “We want that 4 month break. We always got a phone call on a Friday night. No matter how good you keep your infrastructure.” Tony worked full time as a professor at the West Point specializing in constitutional law.
“We have a lot of wonderful memories here,” they told ALBB. Fran lit up at the number of celebrities they met and hosted during film productions at the eatery. “We met lots of celebrities with filming here over the years, and people coming in. Neighbors. That's the apart of it I liked a lot.”
Tony was unimpressed with the celebrities, but Fran continued: “Ben Stiller! He put in those green plants that were around the patio. When they came in to film here, they liked these plants better.” Ben Stiller’s plants in the Piggy Bank 2.0 did not remain.
Beacon Entering Its 2.0 Era
CO-owners of the revived Piggy Bank 2.0: Greg Colon and Kamel Jamal.
Photo Credit: Meghan Spiro
Beacon’s “tipping point” phase is a full tidal wave now. “Old Beacon” is known as “the locals,” and “New Beacon” is in its “New New New Beacon” stage, which is a mixture of new residents and regular day-trippers. Rumors started that The Vault was closing or selling.
“We have always been entrepreneurs with dreams. Business people. Like-minded industrial people; always talking about the next thing. We are constantly talking with each other. This was put in front of us.”
Over at Draught, Greg’s wheels were turning. The idea of buying The Vault popped on in his mind. Greg and Kamel have known each other for years, working together in the restaurant industry. It had been a while since Kamel had been to Daught, but he and his wife Lena had been out walking one day, like they do between their latest acquisition of the Old Beacon Police Station across the street, which they transformed into The Station Dispensary (in a smoking blaze of irony), and Beacon Bread.
The Piggy Bank 2.0 location with patio. Located across from Kamel’s property, The Station Dispensary, and down the block from Greg’s Draught Bar.
Photo Credit: Meghan Spiro
“I saw Kamel on a Saturday,” Greg told A Little Beacon Blog. Kamel picked up the next sentence: “The stars all aligned. There was no reason to be at Draught that day. I hadn’t been there in one year. As we walked by, Lena (my wife) and I made eye contact. I said to her: ‘Let's go in and say hi.’”
Greg spotted them. They chatted, and then Greg put it out there: “What do you think about The Vault?” The idea spawned. Kamel cocked his head and said: “I'll call you tomorrow.”
Greg and Kamel, standing in front of the custom designed, hand-carved bar of The Piggy Bank 2.0. They are holding a golden pig, which has become their signature and logo.
“We have always been entrepreneurs with dreams,” Kamel told ALBB. “Business people. Like-minded industrial people; always talking about the next thing. We are constantly talking with each other. This was put in front of us.” Tony had approached them 3-4 years prior about buying it, they told ALBB. But the timing back then wasn’t right.
What makes their partnership work? “We have specialties that are far different from one another,” Greg said. “Kamel is by far the most experienced, proven success record. From my eyes. He knows the kitchen.”
For Kamel: “Greg’s OCD is great. He's like looking at Matrix with this guy.” On a successful business partnership, Kamel continued: “Key to a successful project is the players. Playing your role to the best of your ability. Trust and faith in who is on your team. Don't correct them. Encourage them. Be willing to learn at any moment at any time.”
While the Renovation of the Piggy Bank was still under construction, it was entering and winning wing competitions. Pictured here are Adam Sternberg, who is heading up the kitchen, and co-founders Greg Colon and Kamel Jamal.
Greg continued: “There is not jack of all trades, master of none. That's what makes a successful partnership. And the trust factor. Once the trust factor is gone, it doesn't exist anymore.”
It’s hard enough running a business on one’s own. Having a business partner can be a blessing and a challenge at the same time. Customers will usually never see under the hood with the details, but the partnership is vital to the business continuing forward.
Kamel explained: “In this agreement, we honed in on these things. Respect for one another in so many different ways. Respecting each other's feelings. Intuition is vital. I can't go into a work environment and not have that. His feelings are real.”
The public and customers may not know it, but Kamel’s and Greg’s friendship existed for years prior. “We developed years of organic friendship. Nothing binding us. It happened organically. Makes it so much better. We know who we are individually. I know what kind of person Greg is. And he knows me.”
The Renovation
The golden pig of The Piggy Bank 2.0.
Photo Credit: Meghan Spiro
“There’s always nerves. For me, it changes. Nervous at first. Then it turns into pure excitement; into fun things. Picking out the bar counters. Then closer to execution, more excitement. You need nerves.”
For this interview we sat out on the back patio of what was then The Vault in November 2024. I looked out at the empty patio chairs, envisioning the overhaul that was about to take place, and asked them: “Do you ever get nervous? Or are you just forward motion, ‘Let's go…I see what it looks like.’”
Greg answered first: “There’s always nerves. For me, it changes. Nervous at first. Then it turns into pure excitement; into fun things. Picking out the bar counters. Then closer to execution, more excitement. You need nerves.”
Kamel answered next: “Every time I do this, the excitement starts. When does it start? When the hammer hits the nail. Then I say what the hell was I thinking.”
Piggy Bank Co-owner Kamel Jamal in front of the new bar that was hand-carved for the space. This photo has been recreated above with the completed bar and Co-owner Greg Colon in the photo.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
“We're creators,” Kamel continued. “The fact that we have this ability to create something. It's never the destination for me. It's the journey. We live day to day happy, sad. The final destination of life is 6 feet under. It’s the journey for me. The process. So many different emotions. It's exciting. Once the doors are open - it’s at another level after the doors are open.”
The Piggy Bank is open now, but at the time, the partners were making one big decision: “We are moving the bar,” Kamel stated. “We are making a bigger bar, that is for certain. We are claiming local Beacon business. We need a locals bar.”
Lena Jamal, wife of Kamel, during the renovation.
Photo Credit: The Piggy Bank
While there are bars with a locals vibe in town, Beacon was once home to 300 bars back in a day. There was a hole after Max’s on Main closed and became the marble covered, historic renovation that is now Lyonshare - as beautiful as it is. The spot was known for TV programing of old movies and sports. The day of that opening, ALBB readers demanded to know: “But is there a TV. Will there be sports.” At the time, ALBB could not get an affirmative confirmation. But now we know: No TVs with sports at Lyonshare.
The Sports TV. One of many inside of the Piggy Bank 2.0. TV programming continues while bands play live music.
Photo Credit: The PIggy Bank Video Screenshot
Over at the Piggy Bank: “YES,” was the single-worded answer when ALBB asked about sports and TV. In fact, now that the bar has been moved from the back of the room to the long side wall for more dancing and bar standing, there are more than one TV with sports. Lots of sports. And live music.
In fact, Kamel told the Chronogram: “We did the design ourselves but put a lot of intention into it, such as using oak furniture to represent the wood we use for smoking, and creating an old-fashioned bar that was made to look like it’s been there for a hundred years. It’s basically a sports bar but bougie; a place that has a welcoming South Carolina elegance, but there are also TVs at the bar.”
Opening Day
The Piggy Bank 2.0 opened last Saturday to a great crowd. It was one of the busiest Saturday’s in Beacon of the spring season, and people were buzzing about who went to the Piggy Bank’s opening. If they didn’t get to go, they said, they knew they were coming in soon.
On the menu, in the Handhelds section alone, there is a strong southern pull. Starting with Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast with Pickles, Malted Buttermilk Mayo, Crisp Greens and Sweet Potato Bun; Tenny Hot Fried Chicken with Buttermilk Fried Chicken Breast, Nashville Hot Dust, Kicked Up Slaw, Teller Sauce, Pickles and Sweet Potato Bun; a Veggie Burnt End Grinder with Burnt Walnut & Chickpea Ends, House Sauce, Pulled Mushrooms, Kicked Up Slaw and Seeded Sub Roll; and a Nashville Hot Catfish Po’ Boy.
The kitchen has been separated into Chicken, Pork and Veggie to respect different food choices, as well as the ability to honor religious restrictions. The kitchen is helmed by Adam Sternberg who is no stranger to Beacon and once led the kitchen of a Beacon eatery who replaced The Copper Roof Deli where he was sprouting his own quinoa in the basement. Wappingers also misses Adam, as he closed The Hog, but Wappingers Rises, who used to live in Beacon, arrived promptly to the Piggy Bank, kids in tow.
Currently open every day except Tuesday, keep your eye on the Piggy Bank’s Instagram for menu features and celebrity sightings of locals themselves coming back for more.
The revived Piggy Bank 2.0, with new bar, floor, vibe and menu.
Photo Credit: Meghan Spiro.
The moved bar, to be longer.
Photo Credit: Meghan Spiro
Going On Now :: Things To Do 5/02/2025
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Library Vote: Operating Budget and Board of Trustees
/⏰ Just 1 hour left! Library vote closes at 8pm Thursday. Super easy. On the ballot are Library Operating Budget and Trustee Election.
Open The Mail: There May Be A $50 Settlement Check In It From Columbia Utilities Power
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Opening the mail can be stressful. Like a box of chocolate, you never know what you’re going to get. While our Post Office service is still functioning, there are times when surprise checks of $50 might show up for you, no strings attached. A check in the amount of $40-$50 may be in your mailbox in an otherwise unmarked envelope from “Settlement Distributions” in California. Open it. Cash it. The check expires in July 2025, so don’t delay.
This is a check addressed to you if you stayed in the discounted Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) electricity program the City of Beacon contracted into on your behalf that left everyone confused but with generally lower electricity bills from a green energy source called Columbia Utilities Power. Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is defined here.
In order to offer this discount, New York State required that municipalities needed to create a law to do so. Therefore, the City of Beacon passed their law in 2017.
Skepticism of the program was high. One of Beacon’s current City Councilmembers, Jeffrey (Jeff) Domanski, was integral to bringing Beacon into this arrangement. This term was Councilperson Jeff’s first time holding the office, and he is not seeking re-election (he ran uncontested, as did all of the Councilmembers).
However, participants in the CCA program “collectively saved in excess of $8 million through the program’s fixed electricity supply rate since program renewal in July 2021 -- a savings of between $300-400 for the average household. In addition to savings, the program’s 100% NYS renewable supply has significantly reduced the community’s carbon footprint and advanced the State’s clean energy goals,” said Hudson Valley Community Power in a press release after Columbia backed out of their contract.
The Highlands Current reported the savings this way: “Columbia’s withdrawal meant that residents and businesses who didn’t earlier opt out of the program were transferred back to Central Hudson, where the price for electricity fluctuated from less than $.05 cents per kilowatt-hour in June, to $.17 cents per kilowatt-hour in October.”
On the other hand, the CCA per kilowatt-hour rate was fixed, and did not change.
Later, when Columbia Utility Power, stopped providing the discounted kilowatt hours of green electricity in the CCA program, a lawsuit was brought against them by the Town of Saugerties, Town of New Paltz, Village of New Paltz, City of Beacon, Town of Clinton, Town of Marbletown, City of Poughkeepsie, and Town of Red Hook (collectively known as the "Municipalities" according to the court document obtained by Times Union), Fred Costello, Mayor Tim Rogers of New Paltz, and Joule Assets, Inc. (the management company of the CCA energy program). In an Instagram post, Mayor Tim Rogers said: “The NYS Public Service Commission also intervened in support of the collective action against Columbia.”
The New York State Public Service Commission (NYSPSC) explained: “In 2021, Columbia Utilities Power, LLC, an ESCO, entered into multiple electricity supply contracts with 10 municipalities located in the Hudson Valley — the cities of Beacon and Poughkeepsie, the towns of Clinton, Marbletown, Philipstown, New Paltz, Red Hook, and Saugerties, and the villages of Cold Spring and New Paltz — to support a Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) plan sponsored by Joule Assets, Inc. as the CCA administrator.”
Joule contracted with the non-profit to communicate how this would work via an implementation plan. That non-profit was Hudson Valley Energy, which Beacon Councilmember Jeff said he started in 2018 in an ALBB article, In his LinkedIn, he is listed as Executive Director from 2018-2023, before he was a Councilmember in Beacon. Hudson Valley Energy’s website is now gone. Councilmember Jeff was sworn into his Beacon position in January 2024.
NYSPSC continued: “The electricity supply agreements contractually obligated Columbia to provide a fixed price per kilowatt-hour for participating customers within the municipalities for a three-year term: July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2024.”
NYSPSC described the settlement: “As a result of this legal action, Columbia will pay a total of $1.5 million into a settlement fund that, after the deduction of expenses, will be used for the benefit of affected ratepayers. In exchange for this settlement payment, the Commission and the other parties would agree to resolve all regulatory enforcement actions related to Columbia’s participating in and conduct relating to the CCA program. As a result of this settlement, approximately 25,000 utility customers in the Hudson Valley will share in the financial settlement with Columbia. The payout will range from $40-$50 per affected customer after legal fees.”
Reported by Times Union: “In July 2022, the New York Independent System Operator — the nonprofit tasked with operating and managing New York’s power grid — terminated Columbia’s rights to participate in the state’s market as a result of Columbia’s failure to post approximately $3.5 million in collateral to comply with NYISO’s creditworthiness requirements. Columbia’s customers reverted to Central Hudson at a higher rate, according to the PSC’s release.”
A few months before Columbia was accused of failing to post collateral, Russia bombed Uraine in February 2022, starting the Ukraine war.
“Columbia, which has headquarters in Brooklyn, remains in business in New York State after the settlement. The company has denied that it committed any violation of law or of its contractual obligations, or that it committed any of the wrongful acts alleged in the lawsuit,” the Times Union reported.
Beacon Won’t Join SEcond Chance At The CCA Program
The CCA program has risen again. Returning to be managed again by Joules Assets under Hudson Valley Community Power. This time there are 12 municipalities signed on, but the City of Beacon opted to not. Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White told the Highlands Current that he “received many complaints from residents upset that the city had joined the CCA on their behalf.”
City Administrator Chris also told the newspaper that “city officials were unsure whether the company would be able to find a fixed-rate supplier who could beat Central Hudson’s variable rate, given ongoing global instability.”
The 12 municipalities who signed on to this second version of the CCA opted for the fixed rate renewable electricity supply options as their default electricity supply, Hudson Valley Community Power said. They confirmed that the electricity supply will come from Direct Energy Services, LLC.
The rates for residential and small commercial are:
HVCP 100% NYS Renewable Fixed Rate: $0.12240 per kWh
HVCP 50/50 Blend (NYS & National) Fixed Rate: $0.11240 per kWh
HVCP Standard Fixed Rate: $0.09870 per kWh
The City of Beacon could possibly join the CCA program again to be a 13th municipality if Beacon feels that residents changed their minds and wanted the savings back. The savings was clear.
Residents would need to email their Ward Councilmember and City Administrator Chris White to tell them that they want the City of Beacon to join the CCA program again to lock them into the low fixed electricity rate that is made possible by the bulk purchasing power of the 12 other municipalities.
