Shelter Air, The Woman-Owned HVAC Company, Joins ALBB's Business Directory As Sponsor

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Welcome new Member Sponsor, Shelter Air! ALBB first met owner Kimberly Sevilla over in Tin Shingle land (our sister media empowerment company) when Kimberly was working for a large HVAC company in the region, gaining more knowledge to eventually go out on her own.

It is with beams of pride 🌈 that we introduce to you her HVAC company, Shelter Air, specializing in Heating, Cooling and Home Performance. “We’re BPI- and NATE-certified, and a proud NYSERDA-approved contractor,” Kimberly says. “That means we don’t just install systems—we design healthy, high-performance homes from the ground up.”

Kimberly has a wide background in chemistry, engineering, fashion design, floral health, entrepreneurship, and then, indoor air quality solutions. Read all about how she came to found Shelter Air here, but during the pandemic, she discovered the absolute necessity for indoor air quality solutions in homes. “With my chemistry background and a keen interest in thermodynamics and building science, I didn’t merely dip my toe, I plunged head-first into creating the best systems for my clients I could find. As an INTJ, my analytical mind thrived, and I mastered, load calculations, system design, and ductwork design. I identified significant gaps in the industry and envisioned more efficient, holistic, customer-centric approaches. Fueled by my passion for improvement, I forged my own path, ultimately establishing Shelter Air.”

Kimberly is an LGBTQ + ally and is passionate about supporting underrepresented individuals in trades. She owned a floral shop in Brooklyn, Rose Red & Lavender, where she invested in her community and thriving in fostering the spirit of togetherness. A resident of Cold Spring, her eyes dance in Beacon, where she wants to improve as many homes as possible.

Says Nancy Karp, a customer of Shelter Air: “Kimberly has been great to work with. She explains all options in a clear and understandable way. We are looking to replace a 40 yr old boiler with something more efficient and environmentally responsible. I strongly recommend Shelter Air as your guidance in this often confusing area.”

Shelter Air is a sponsor of ALBB’s Business Directory Level 3. To join our program, click here.

Mr. V's Sells - But Not Before Abandoning First Buyer And Canceling That Sale Transaction

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The first time Mr. V’s was for sale or to close was May 2023. Owner and daughter of Mr. V, Maggie, was tired. She needed a break from working the stove, keeping the books and running to the store to keep ingredients and inventory in stock.

In 2023, A Little Beacon Blog was sent an anonymous tip that Maggie’s lease was coming up, and it wasn’t looking good. In this epidemic of rent hikes in Beacon, ALBB went in to interview Maggie for the story. She was asking $199,000 for the sale of the business and hoped the prospective new owner would keep the name. She also said she wanted to work for the new owner: “Oh yes, I would put in a couple days a week working. Just to give me something to do. I want to walk in as an employee, and walk out the door for the day.”

After the interview, ALBB wrote about the prospect of Mr. V’s closing if they didn’t find a buyer. Once that article published, a flurry of activity happened, and some suitors emerged.

When ALBB went to check on Maggie a few weeks later, she seemed pleased with the situation. The new lease was manageable and went month-to-month, yet she scoffed a little (with a smile) that people had the impression that Mr. V’s was closing. Despite Maggie’s quotes in the article saying that it was for sale and she wasn’t sure if she would keep it open if the lease couldn’t be worked out or a new buyer found. A year and a half later, she’d kept it open.

Fellow Main Street Business Emerges To Buy Mr. V’s

One and a half years later, a prospective and serious buyer of Mr. V’s emerged: Cristhia Acevedo, owner and creator of Dulce Cielo MX, the Mexican food stall in Hudson Valley Food Hall. Like several other vendors who start out in Hudson Valley Food Hall, Cristhia needed to grow into a bigger space. Her eye was on a new space in a building being built now, but that was at least over a year off or more, depending on how construction went.

She needed to keep cooking, and Mr. V’s seemed like the perfect fit. Along her buying journey, Cristhia kept ALBB in the loop, sharing her joy and challenges along the way of the buying process. She retained an attorney, and worked with a local bank to secure a commercial loan. She got the bank’s approved to pay Mr. V’s $125,000, and she paid the downpayment to secure the sale until March 1, 2025.

Cristhia met the landlord of the building, who needed to feel comfortable with Cristhia as a new tenant. The building owner approved as well. The building owner talked to Cristhia about putting in new floors, and how Cristhia would work around that while keeping the place open.

At the time, Cristhia was ecstatic but cautious. She kept quiet and focused while the bank did their research on her, and she provided the bank with more and more homework. Cristhia only called ALBB (usually exploding with excitement through the phone) when affirmative approvals came in, or dates to move the process forward. “I did it alone! This was my hard work! Just with my clients and my food! I don’t have partners. Every dollar I have tracked and earned to be approved for this.” Sometimes, Cristhia still cleans houses if she wasn’t cooking at the food hall.

Plus, this woman to woman transaction filled Cristhia with pride. She told ALBB she felt honored to have this long running Beacon business trusted in her hands. She planned to keep all of the staff and Maggie, to learn from Maggie on how Maggie cooked her special bacon egg sandwiches.

Cristhia and her staff at Dulce Cielo MX are seasoned chefs of Mexican food, but the menu of Mr. V’s was going to stay the same. Cristhia was preparing herself to wake up as early as Maggie and the staff to open for the city employees and commuters who come early.

Edit 5/25/2025: Originally this article said the name would stay the same. But Cristhia was going to change the name, keep the menu, and add her Mexican menu to the top.

The Pivot On The Sale

With the deposit in, March 1st was the date in the contract when it all needed to be signed. The attorneys and the bank were working together to finalize the commercial loan. With money moving forward and a closing date approaching, Cristhia gave her notice at the Food Hall, that she was moving to a new location. She couldn’t lose any time with sales.

Word spread around with the regulars at the Food Hall that she was purchasing Mr. V’s, and the vibe turned celebrational. She held her last Taco Tuesday, and floods of congratulatory comments and sales came in.

But then things got quiet. Cristhia received a update from her attorney that the seller canceled the transaction of the sale. The week prior, her attorney had asked the sellers to hold off canceling, and requested to extend the closing date to allow the loan to process. Yet, the downpayment check was returned. Everyone’s work was done. The deal was dead.

The note taped to Mr. V’s window this week, announcing the sale to the 2nd buyer.

Today, a new note was taped to Mr. V’s window, telling about the final sale to the new owner. ALBB reached out to Cristhia to see how she was doing. “This hurts me a lot,” Cristhia told ALBB. “And I did it alone,” she said again today, but in a different tone. Somber. “Just with my clients and my food. Because you know I don’t have partners. Is hard for me. I’ve been on a roller coaster of emotions.”

After learning that the new owner entered into this about 3 months ago, Cristhia said: “At the same time she was negotiating with me; that’s not having professional ethics. Because they wouldn’t have wasted my time, that’s all, and my money because I paid my lawyer. And it was something serious.”

At this stage, Cristhia finds comfort in reflecting on her employees who support her behind the counter, her customers. She continues to be open for now in the Food Hall. So go eat that birria.

Dulce Cielo MX will be open in the Hudson Valley Food Hall until Cristhia finds another location, which she is searching for now, but another tenant is slated for her stall. “Business is business,” she told ALBB. “It’s water under the bridge. I’m moving forward, but it was a bad experience for me.”

New Ownership

Last week, word on the street started spreading that Mr. V’s had sold. This week, with the note on the window going up, thanking the customers over the years, saying that Jean and Maggie sold the deli on May 15th, 2025, chatter is starting again.

ALBB popped down to Mr. V’s today to ask Maggie about the first buyer, and what happened. But the new owner Pat was there, standing outside on the sidewalk looking at the storefront, imaging how he was going to clean up the sign (several birds nests have been left behind it). He said he’d been talking to a marketer about maybe a new logo.

Maggie, he said, was out of the deli for a few days and would be back soon. A well-deserved vacation, perhaps? Maybe, he answered. When did he begin his interest? About 3 months ago, he answered. Did he know of another buyer that was involved? He did not, so could not speak to it, he said.

A resident of Beacon with kids in the district, he says that this deli is his new full time job. He was looking forward to a change in careers. Pat confirms that Maggie and the staff will be staying on. So everything should remain the same for customers. So go get that bacon egg and cheese on white.

Editorial Note: Documents supporting the details of the first potential sale have been seen at ALBB’s request for this article.

Meanwhile...Slime Factory To Open In Little White House At 300 Main Street While The Proposal Moves Through Planning Board

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Before the submission of the redevelopment of 300 Main Street, Tina Lentini quietly announced to the business mom circuit that she was opening a slime factory for experiential birthday parties for kids and adults called Up In The Clouds Slime & Doh Co., It’s a hands-on experience to mix color, scent, texture, and charm into your own custom slime in 35-minute sessions, with pre-made kits and private party bookings available.

ALBB is no stranger to slime selling. Longtime readers will remember that we hosted a popup slime shop in our former office called A Little Beacon Space on Main Street when we were in the Telephone Building.

Tina is no stranger to Beacon. She is the Attendance Secretary at Sargent Elementary and has kids in the district with her husband Mike Lentini, who is the Beacon Girls Varsity Soccer Coach at Beacon High School. He also coaches a younger travel soccer program for the Wolves,

For 300 Main Street, Tina signed a 2 year lease and has first dibs on which storefront she wants in the new location when that time comes, she told A Little Beacon Blog. “I want to make something fun and inviting for kids and adults. I want people to feel like they have a place to go on Main Street where they can have a fun experience with their children. Something hands-on, using their imaginations & creating memories. I’ve lived in Beacon forever. We wanted to do something fun and new. Two years from now hopefully I have created a loving and fun business on Main Street. Fingers crossed we will be willing and able to keep it growing with a new beautiful space (when the time comes).”

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.

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.

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.”
— Kamel Jamal, Co-Owner The Piggy Bank

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.”
— Greg Colon, Co-Owner The Piggy Bank

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

When Did The Old Dunkin' Donuts at 435 Fishkill Avenue Close?

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Dear People of Beacon:
Do you recall the year the Old Dunkin’ Donuts closed at 435 Fishkill Avenue? Several Dunkin’ Donuts closed in the Hudson Valley during the shutdown of 2020 COVID, but an ALBB reader who goes by “B.” reminded us that this Dunkin’ Donuts at 435 Fishkill Avenue was already closed.

Do you recall the year? Please tell us in the comments below.

Roma Nova has since moved in, after a dramatic closing of the original owner’s 25 years at 6 Eliza Street. When the Antalek & Moore building sold to new owners for a reported and confirmed $2.3 million, rents were going up and all of the tenants moved out. Roma Nova’s departure was particularly dramatic, as evidenced in the Comments section of the Highlands Current article, which were later closed, and paired IG post.

The current Roma Nova on Rte 52, or 435 Fishkill Avenue is new owners, as the original owners Ana and Miguel Tapia sold it to the current owners.

Now a second business concept wants to resurrect on Fishkill Avenue that is desired by some, but is meeting vocal resistance by others. If you know when the first (if it was the first) Dunkin’ Donuts closed on Fishkill Avenue, please let us know.

A photo of the proposed new Dunkin’ Donuts at 420 Fishkill Avenue, which is where the Healey car dealership building is, is below. This location is across the street from where the first Dunkin’ Donuts was. This new development project has been approved by Beacon’s Planning Board on March 11, 2025, but faces a banning from Beacon’s City Council.

The photo has been taken from the Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee March 9, 2025 online presentation packet.

Editor’s Update: Reader @aron._.li/ “November 2, 2020.” When asked why they think that year, they answered: “It is this date cause I remember goin there to get something two days after my birthday, and i remember seeing the date November 2 and their closure and why.” They confirmed it was during COVID.