Donald McNeal, Father And Owner of Beacon Barkery, Passes Away. Son Jon Continues To Run The Store

Donald McNeal, pictured at left, was a well-known pest exterminator who had an Orkin franchise (he once removed a hornet nest from our front bushes) and was a jazz drummer in certain circles before he bought the Beacon Barkery at the urging of his son Jon, who was an employee at the time. Donald bought the shop from Libby Faison and Nanci Pate, who were retiring, in November 2016. Soon after moving in, the landlord raised the rent, and Donald and Jon moved over to the storefront next door. The business was humming along ever since. They opened a second location in New Windsor.

A couple years ago, Donald suffered from a stroke which left him impaired. He had been recovering ever since with the help of his family. The Beacon Barkery, under Libby and Nanci, spearheaded the organization of the Beacon Barks Parade. Donald and Jon took over organizing the parade when they bought the store. This year, to help out, Libby and Nanci were stepping back in to help run the parade, when the coronavirus pandemic stopped everything.

Earlier this month, Donald passed away in his sleep, at home, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife, Arlene Golpe, and by his sons, Donald C. McNeal III, of Wappingers Falls and Jonathan E. McNeal of Hopewell Junction, according to the Highlands Current. He is also survived by the family’s four pugs, Angel, Casper, Eddie, and Louie.

Beacon Barkery Is Open And Delivers Pet Food

The Beacon Barkery remains open, and is managed by Jon and pug Angel. Jon has been doing deliveries for years, including to my front porch. Also recently, Jon designed and launched the Beacon Barkery’s website, making online ordering very easy. Jon has a system in place where he counts how many bags you get, in order to qualify for a free bag. During the pandemic, the store will be closed on Mondays.

At the Barkery, you’ll find food and treats for cats and dogs, as well as clothing for small dogs, leashes, flea treatment, and more. Jon is extremely helpful, and can get you whatever you need. If you want some of the best pet food around - you will find it at the Beacon Barkery. My cat enjoys the frozen rabbit pellets (no cans, great for the environment, and is real game meat), and mixtures of dry food.

Our prayers are with Jon and his family during this difficult time. He’s at work, the Open flag flying. Give him a six-foot wave.

Beacon's Farmers Market Opens For Pre-Ordering Online And Sunday Pickup

The vendors have come up with a pre-order pickup system. Order from your favorite vendor (like Eggbert’s Eggs) by Friday afternoon and then pick up on Sunday.

The website to pre-order is here.

Details about pickup guidelines will be posted to Beacon Farmers Market’s Instagram, and when they are, we will update this article. We will also update this information in A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide as a COVID-19 status, as we have with all of the other eateries in Beacon.

But don’t wait until Friday. Do it on earlier days during the week. Here’s what an order can look like. You can see all of the options carried by that vendor. This is really neat, because in the Time After The Coronavirus, this may be a great way of pre-ordering your grocery list if you are not able to get to market early enough in the morning.

Key might be remembering what you bought from which vendor by the time Sunday rolls around! Print it out or make a pretty cheat-sheet at home and bring it with you to pickup.

Main Street Businesses Mourn Closure Order - While Supporting It For Public Health Social Good

Storefronts on Main Street in Beacon have been preparing for pandemic protection for the week prior to the shutdown of all non-essential businesses mandated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday, to go into effect on Sunday night (March 22, 2020) at 8 pm.

If you are vising Beacon this weekend - or any day, now that every day could be a weekend day depending on what industry you work in - you won’t find a shopping experience. We are social distancing, walking past closed shops, longing to go inside, our faces pressed up against the storefront glass. We are walking as families, as dog owners, as solo people. We are trying to stay in our spheres - meaning that tight-knit group of people you live with - to help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

The people we pass on the street might be two or four friends getting out of New York City for the day to get fresh air. Totally understandable. But you have got to get it. You have got to sphere-up. You have got to not walk so close to your friends. Seriously. It’s awkward. Every single celebrity is telling you to do it. Every single celebrity in California and New York are out of work because their production literally has been shut down, or their huge concert canceled.

We HAVE to spread out from one another and stay in out sphere if we want this thing to end and for shops to re-open and for movies to come back into the theaters.

The First Round Of Closures

The first round of closures, with the 50% occupancy mandate, was pretty shocking. Then the mandate of movie theaters and gym closures came. That was devastating to those industries. In one day, everyone got to know the Zoom app (what is this thing?!) when kids started using it for digital playdates, and the parents were using it for work meetings, therapy sessions, and now yoga and Pilates classes to retain an ounce of normalcy.

Can The Internet Hold It All?

The Internet started breaking. Gov. Cuomo mandated that data providers provide more data to customers regardless of what plan they purchased (this is a different problem than all of the bandwidth being sucked up… although it’s a freebie solution that may or may not be possible as infinite data is sucked down into smartphones everywhere).

Netflix throttled streaming in Europe, and today, Disney+ took similar action by limiting streaming by 25% in a move requested by European government. “[Disney+] said Thursday it will limit the streaming quality of its content for the next 30 days for users in Europe to relax the strain on communications networks caused by the coronavirus lockdown,” according to an article in Deadline.

Businesses in Beacon

Businesses in Beacon quickly shifted to online shopping. If some had been doing it only a little bit, they jumped in with both feet to figure out how to make it work.

A Little Beacon Blog is tracking it all in our Shopping Guide. Visit that Guide and refresh it on your phone. As we learn of updates and changes to what shops are delivering, how they are offering contact-less payment, etc. the shop’s information will be updated in the Shopping Guide and Restaurant Guide.

This Tearful (Temporary) Goodbye (But Available For Pick-Up!) From Flora Good Times

This Saturday morning, the saddest Instagram post came up. Sad but truthful and appreciated. It’s from Flora Good Times. Owner Corinne Bryson bought the shop from the former Mary Fris (read her interview with ALBB here after that transition). Within the year she has been told to shut her new business, a move she supports in the name of public health, but one that is not without deep struggle and hardship.

We will leave you with Flora Good Times’s temporary goodbye post. Read it, and then go back and buy from her. She does pickup, and you’ll want to experience whatever energy you can from that sweet shop.

---

From Flora Good Times via her post on Instagram:

“I know the news is changing so quickly it feels like whiplash these days.

”A few things have changed for us over here today. Previously posted that we would be open tomorrow and Sunday. This is partially true, but only Saturday and only for curbside pickups or pre-orders! Our little store is not easy to socially distance within, so for the next while, only appointments/pickups allowed inside the shop. Sunday we will be closed.

”Secondly, I posted today that I wasn't sure about curbside pickups next week and moving forward. I think we will make it happen for you. I'll take orders Sunday-Tuesday for Wednesday and Friday pickup at designated times. What we have available is on our highlights, but please ask if you're looking for something you might not see. The store is full of treasures!

”Finally, I will not be focusing on flowers until I can properly reopen. We have cleaned out the fresh flower area as it's typically the part of our business running on the smallest margins with the most physical loss. We do have dried flowers available, or if you are looking for fresh flowers, I am happy to turn you to a handful of wonderful local florists who are slinging flowers however they can.

”Today has been weird. No shame in saying I've cried in the grocery store every time I've been in it this week. But, I've also spent a lot of time remembering that this pandemic is really teaching us something that I've been told all along -- health is the most important thing. And I'm grateful that I am healthy and those that I love are healthy. I hope you are also healthy and surrounding yourself with light in whatever way you can ♥️ Last thing, I heard a lovely Norwegian proverb today that I'm holding with me for the foreseeable future: "It will either go well or it will pass." Either sound great to me right about now.”

Wishing all of our Main Street business friends the very best as we soldier through this. Please continue to make your life happy by ordering the treasures you find inside. How fun to shop differently now: by gazing through the storefront window, and the shop owner brings you something.

35 Homes and Buildings Considered For Historic Designation In Beacon

As the City of Beacon Works to define and clarify its zoning to standards that work for today’s community, one zoning tool includes working with and around historic buildings. The project of identifying properties that would be warrent historic designation was an active project in the administration prior to this, under Mayor Randy Casale when he and now Mayor Lee Kyriacou, would walk Beacon’s streets together to identify properties. Since then, 35 homes and commercial buildings were identified as having met a certain set of criteria that would qualify a local historic designation.

[UPDATE: The properties were presented in a Public Hearing, and several property owners came out to protest their homes and buildings having the historic designation.]

Implications For Neighboring, Non-Historic Buildings

ALBB asked Beacon’s City Planner, John Clark, about the implications for homes or buildings located next door to or nearby a home or building that has been designated historic by the City of Beacon. He answered: “Positive implications for neighboring properties include that the character of adjacent historic structures will be protected and that any alteration or new construction in the Historic District and Landmark Overlay (HDLO) must be compatible with surrounding historic properties and the neighborhood, consistent with the standards in Section 134-7.”

“The only direct implications for neighboring properties is in the Central Main Street district, where any Special Permit request for a 4th story on a parcel abutting a property in the HDLO zone must be approved by the City Council, not the Planning Board. The Council may reduce a permitted building height to be no more than six feet higher than an existing building on an adjoining HDLO parcel for a distance of 30 feet along the frontage from the historic structure (see 223-41.18 E(7)).”

“The Council is also currently considering changes to the CMS district to extend the above Special Permit requirements for both 4th stories and corner towers to properties directly across the street from an HDLO parcel.”

What Are The Criteria?

According to the Historic District and Landmark Overlay Zone (HDLO) proposal, the properties must meet a certain set of criteria. Proposed nominations are subject to the criteria in the Historic Preservation Chapter, Section 134-4 B Designation of landmarks or historic districts:

1. Distinguishing architectural characteristics of period or style;

2. Special value as part of the cultural or social history of the community;

3. Eligible for State or National Register of Historic Places

Looking for an example, ALBB asked John Clark about the recognizable yellow house with the tower on Mattie Cooper by the Springfield Baptist Church that is not in a historic district. ALBB asked John to explain how that house, if designated historic, would conform to new zoning, if it was “spot-zoning,” and it the property would get additional usage rights, like being able to operate as bed and breakfast.

John’s answer: “If a parcel, like the house with the tower, was to be designated as a historic building, it would have to comply with the standards of two zones - the underlying district and the Historic District and Landmark Overlay (HDLO) zone. The HDLO overlay zone is not spot zoning. It just adds an extra layer of protections and requirements for multiple parcels across the City for a legally enabled public purpose.”

“Under Zoning Section 223-24.7, an HDLO parcel is allowed additional uses if granted a Special Permit by the City Council. Uses, with certain size limitations, include an artist studio, antique shop, restaurant, bed and breakfast, professional office, multifamily residential, and artist live/work space.”

Why The Desire To Designate These Buildings Now?

During the building boom, Beaconites grew uncomfortable with buildings that were growing taller - to 4 floors. The lightening rod of a building was 344 Main Street, which for a variety of reasons that were noted mistakes for the City, zoning changes became a priority of Mayor Kyriacou (then City Council Member). Mayor Kyriacou is also a property owner of residential and commercial property in Beacon, some of which is already in a Historic zone, and his wife is a realtor.

4 Cross St.
- 2-story brick building
- Arched brick lintels
- Stone sills
- Two bricked-in windows
- Newer windows
- Green

11 Digger Phelps Ct.
- Wood frame building
- Original Porch
- Scalloped details
- Newer windows
- Green

9 Mattie Cooper Sq.
- Wood Frame building
- Original porch
- Bay windows
- Replacement vinyl siding
- Newer windows
- Green

11 North Elm St.
- Wood frame building
- Intact Arts & Crafts house
- Chain link fencing
- Green

4 North Elm St.
- Brick and stucco building
- Intact Second Empire
- Green

27 Church St.
- Wood frame building
- Wraparound porch
- Replacement asbestos siding
- Newer windows
- Green

232 Main St.
- 3-story brick building
- Bracketed cornice
- Historic-quality storefront
- Red

250 Main St.
- 3-story brick building
- Bracketed cornice
- Arched brick lintels
- Historic-quality storefront
- Bricked-up side windows
- Red

257 Main St.
- 2-story brick building
- Brick projecting cornice
- Stone sills
- Historic-quality storefronts
- Green

274 Main St.
- 3-story brick building
- Bracketed cornice
- Stone sills and lintels
- Side bay window
- Non-historic storefront
- Green

159 Fishkill Ave.
- Wood frame building
- Complex roof, arched dormers
- Corner bay, bracketed cornice
- Elaborately ornamented porch
- Red

189 Fishkill Ave.
- Wood frame building
- Front bay window
- Birthplace of James Forrestal, Sec. of Navy and Defense
- Loss of all original details
- Replacement vinyl siding
- Green

194 Fishkill Ave.
- Wood frame building
- Multiple porches
- Replacement vinyl siding
- Newer windows
- Green

19 Commerce St.
- Wood frame building
- Decorated verge board
- Detailed front porch
- Side bay window
- Asphalt and vinyl siding
- Green

11 Commerce St.
- 2-story brick building
- Wide frieze cornice
- Stone lintels and sills
- Side bay window
- Porch looks newer
- Green

26 South Ave.
- Wood frame building
- Elaborate verge board
- Front bay window
- Detailed wraparound porch
- Replacement vinyl siding
- Frontage chain link fence
- Green

30 South Ave.
- 2-story building
- Bracketed cornices
- South bay window
- Newer side addition
- Frontage chain link fence
- Green

SBA (Small Business Association) Makes Up To $2 Million Loans Available To Small Business, Non-Profits Impacted By Coronavirus

Early in March, the federal SBA (Small Business Administration) announced that businesses impacted by coronavirus could apply for a low-interest federal disaster loans.

The details of this were announced by Dutchess County on March 17, 2020. Below is the press release that explains how the loan works and how to apply:

Small Businesses in Dutchess County
Now Eligible for Disaster Relief
03/17/2020

Poughkeepsie ... The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) offers low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). SBA acted under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, to declare a disaster following a request received from Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont on March 15, 2020.

“Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. This first wave of assistance from the federal government is essential to provide some stability to our businesses and not-for-profits struggling with cash flow. I am grateful to the SBA for including Dutchess in this declaration.”

— Dutchess County Executive, Marcus J. Molinaro

The disaster declaration made SBA assistance available in Connecticut, as well as the contiguous counties of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester in New York.

“SBA is strongly committed to providing the most effective and customer-focused response possible to assist small businesses with federal disaster loans. We will be swift in our efforts to help these small businesses recover from the financial impacts of the Coronavirus (COVID-19),” said Administrator Jovita Carranza.

Dutchess County Executive Marcus J. Molinaro said, “Our small businesses are the lifeblood of our community. This first wave of assistance from the federal government is essential to provide some stability to our businesses and not-for-profits struggling with cash flow. I am grateful to the SBA for including Dutchess in this declaration.”

SBA Customer Service Representatives will be available to answer questions about SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program and explain the application process.

Who Can Apply For The Disaster Relief Loan

“Access to EIDL funds will help businesses cover basic essentials, such as payroll and fixed costs, in the short term and will bring much needed certainty and stability at a time when it’s needed most. The Chamber and Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center is here to assist organizations with navigating this program and gaining access to low interest capital.”

— Frank Castella, Presdient of the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce

“Small businesses, private nonprofit organizations of any size, small agricultural cooperatives and small aquaculture enterprises that have been financially impacted as a direct result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) since Jan. 31, 2020, may qualify for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) of up to $2 million to help meet financial obligations and operating expenses which could have been met had the disaster not occurred,” said Carranza.

“These loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other bills that can’t be paid because of the disaster’s impact. Disaster loans can provide vital economic assistance to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing,” Carranza added.

Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Frank Castella, Jr., said, “Access to EIDL funds will help businesses cover basic essentials, such as payroll and fixed costs, in the short term and will bring much needed certainty and stability at a time when it’s needed most. The Chamber and Mid-Hudson Small Business Development Center is here to assist organizations with navigating this program and gaining access to low-interest capital. We remain hopeful [that] consumer confidence and demand will be steady, supportive drivers for local businesses and nonprofit organizations — as this is essential, now more than ever, in moving the economy forward.”

“We know the impacts that the COVID-19 situation is causing and look forward to doing all we can to help our small businesses here in Dutchess County get through this challenge,” said SBA Regional Administrator Steve Bulger.

Who Is Eligible For Economic Injury Disaster Loans?

Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans is based on the financial impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). The interest rate is 3.75% for small businesses. The interest rate for private nonprofit organizations is 2.75%. SBA offers loans with long-term repayments in order to keep payments affordable, up to a maximum of 30 years and are available to entities without the financial ability to offset the adverse impact without hardship.

How To Apply

Applicants may apply online, receive additional disaster assistance information and download applications at https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela.

Connection points include:

• Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at:
  (800) 659-2955

• Email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information on SBA disaster assistance.

• Individuals who are deaf or hard‑of‑hearing may call (800) 877-8339.

Completed applications should be mailed to:
U.S. Small Business Administration
Processing and Disbursement Center
14925 Kingsport Road, Fort Worth, TX 76155.

Deadline To Apply

The deadline to apply for an Economic Injury Disaster Loan is Dec. 16, 2020.

For more information about Coronavirus, please visit: http://www.Coronavirus.gov.

For more information about available SBA resources and services, please visit: http://www.SBA.gov/coronavirus.

###

About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration makes the American dream of business ownership a reality. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow or expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit http://www.sba.gov.

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

Published Date: Monday, March 16, 2020

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

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

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

What Dutchess County and Dutchess Chamber Of Commerce are Working On

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In backing up his strategy, he said:

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

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

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

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

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

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

From Governor Cuomo’s Twitter:

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

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

Takeout Is Trending As Beaconites Stay Home and Self-Quarantine

Published Date: Sunday, March 15, 2020

Photo Credit: Governor Cuomo’s Twitter

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

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

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

Beacon Businesses Are Doing Takeout

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

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

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

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

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

Temporary Beacon Business Closures:

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

Obama’s Medicare boss issued a most dire warning.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How The Partnership Came To Be

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

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

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

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

Available At The Underground Beacon

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

• Wednesdays: comic book release days

• Fridays: “Magic The Gathering” days

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The press release is below:

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

The lineup for "Concert for Recovery" includes:

• The Slambovian Underground

• Kathleen Pemble

• The Costellos

• Jerry Lee, Boom Kat

• Carla Springer & Russ St. George

• Chihoe Hahn, and others

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

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

About Drug Crisis in Our Backyard

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Meanwhile, it’s lunch time!

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

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

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

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

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

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

Were they approached by an investor?

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

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

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

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

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

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

To address some FAQs:

“Did the building sell?”

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

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

“Can I buy your furniture?”

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

“Where are you going next?”

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

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

It’s Back To Blogging As Usual

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

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

It’s Board Election Season…

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

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

Proposed 2020 Slate

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

BeaconArts Holds Annual Meeting For 2020 Board Elections On Wednesday

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

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

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

During 2019, the Board of Directors consisted of:

• Co-Presidents: Meghan Goria & Karlyn Benson

• Vice President: Angelique Devlin

• Treasurer: Aaron Verdile

• Secretary: Christina Jensen

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

• Ex-Officio: Ed Benavente, Kelly Ellenwood

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

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