Remembering and Seeking :: The Retail Therapy Guide 9/10/2021
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HUDSON VALLEY FOOD HALL
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Weekend Guide Roundup For Beacon & Beyond | Retail Therapy | 6/4/2021
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NFP Studio Exclusives Sample Sale Is Happening Now!
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If you are traveling from afar, make a day trip or stay the weekend in Beacon! There are many wonderful things to do, including, The NFP Studio Exclusives Sample Sale that is happening NOW! It is real and it is no joke!
NFP offers convertible knitwear rooted in a foundation of sculptural, timeless forms. Designer, Gail Travis, resides between her studio in Los Angeles, CA, and Beacon, NY! Beacon is fortunate to have NFP localized in Beacon, even though they are a coveted fashion brand popular in NYC and larger markets. Located for years next to Joe’s Irish Pub, they paid homage to the pub when it closed and have been hosting their sample sale there.
Styles are selling out FAST! They are open every day from 10-5 up until their last day on 2/28. Run, don’t walk!
“NFP is a vision that I have grown into a collection of wearable art that allows each person a blank canvas to create their own individual style, I challenge my self to continue the evolution of NFP to offer you, my loyal customers and friends, an endless supply of moldable forms - ENJOY!”
Snow Day Won't Stop Retail Therapy :: Issue 2/19/2021
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Valentine's Day Flowers; Where To Get Them In Beacon
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It’s the big weekend of LOVE! 💕
Love is a theory and a feeling and exists in many forms. DO get yourself some love, and treat others with love. Could be something purchased, or really, just hanging with your loved one and doing something they love to make it really special. Give a wink. Give a nod. Give a flower. High five your pod.
As a kid, I took myself to the bookstore every Valentine’s Day to buy myself a new book. With dreams of flowers of course. If you want a flower, you need to give a flower. How else will the flowers get there? If they have any left, you have Mountain Laurel Florist, Raven Rose & Batts Florist in Beacon. And one on Spring Street on the other side of the creek.
This bouquet is from Flora Good Times and is part of their subscription program. Subscriptions are a great way to support a business, and a good way to make sure something shows up without you having to remember. But the recipient will remember!
New Tea Shop Opens In Beacon: Misstea For Loose Leaf Teas & Herbal Infusions
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There is no greater gift in life than the gift of tea… can’t figure out what to gift your life-long friend? Tea. Your friend who just became a new mom? Tea. Your thrice removed cousin? Tea. Your greatest nemesis? Tea, so they are always forced to remember you for your exquisite taste. Tea can carry an intimate sentiment or remain as a neutral gift.
You can ring in the new year just right with blooming teas or marvelous options in loose-leaf varieties. Forget the champagne and sparkles, there’s nothing quite as fancy as the perfect cup of tea… I wouldn’t know though because I simply refuse to drink tea unless it’s out of an oversized themed mug (this month it’s in the form of a thermal-changing Vangogh mug).
Therefore, it is with a thank goodness that a new tea shop opened in Beacon, Misstea, a tea shop offering organic loose leaf teas, herbal infusions and other plant based wellness goodies handcrafted in New York, from owners and best friends: Mor Tzivoni and Revital Shoua. They settled the shop into Main Street on the east end of town near Mount Beacon right by the waterfall and blinking traffic light known as the Dummy Light. Founded by two best friends, Mor Tzivoni and Revital Shoua, who over the course of 5 years traveled trips around the world sampling tea from all over such as chai from India and green tea from Japan.
Misstea has long established roots in New York City prior to a permanent residence in Beacon. In 2008, Misstea began as a pop-up booth at the Union Square Holiday Market. Despite the Recession, the right place, time, opportunity, and partner appeared - a moment Mor Tzivoni refers to as “serendipity”. Mor and Revital were attracted to what they describe as Beacon’s “diverse and warm community” especially as this small city mirrors Brooklyn’s liveliness but offers a chance to appreciate the surrounding nature.
Original Tea Blends Are Made At Misstea
The teas and herbs come from all over the world with blenders that work with Misstea’s recipes before being packed at the Beacon shop. Initially, Misstea began with 15 different teas and have since expanded to 40. The first tea flavor produced was a relaxing herbal infusion, appropriately named “Serenitea”. Misstea wanted to provide New Yorkers with a natural way of relaxing at the end of busy days. A quick glance at their collection confirms their specialty remains in herbal infusions.
Grand Opening To Come…(But Is Already Open!)
Misstea hopes to create a lively and cozy atmosphere where people can “enjoy the view, the scents, the flavor, and give a great memory for every customer.” Though the shop opened on October 7th 2020, a grand opening still exists on the horizon. The beginning of the pandemic certainly postponed a grand opening and caused adjustments in planning events and weekend brunches, but never formed a doubt in opening the shop in Beacon. As for concerns of a second wave, Misstea reassures us that with 12 years of experience in making tea, they are not worried about going anywhere as “tea is timeless”. Plus, there is always an option to order online through their shop or select a pick-up in store option.
The tea shop plans to serve pastries, gluten-free snacks, and pairings with different teas… a surprise Misstea promises we can look forward to experiencing. We can expect information on the benefits of tea, teapots served at tables and sets ready-made for special events and holidays. Information on the benefits of their tea as well as products they sell can easily be found on their website here.
It’s always a perfect time to treat yourself with a little self-care tea package. Aren’t sure what to purchase? You’re in luck because Misstea offers daily different samples and the owners are incredibly helpful in narrowing down your search. I left the shop with blooming teas to gift my loved ones, bark tea, their Beautitea, and aspirations to go back for their enigmatic white blossom tea.
Local Beacon Author Shops For You For Cocktail Cheer Kit Themed Gifts: Gifts Fit For "Cocktails Across America"
/For a cocktail-inspired Gift Guide, local Beacon author Diane Lapis, who is president of the Beacon Historical Society and co-author with Anne Peck-Davis of Cocktails Across America: A Postcard View of Cocktail Culture in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s has traveled Main Street to see which shops might have just the right cocktail enhancement for your home or that as a gift. The cocktail recipe book contains over 50 classic recipes (as well as several modern twists), fascinating historical vignettes and over 200 pieces of vintage ephemera. Pick up at Binnacle Books today - right now!
By Diane Lapis
Let’s lift our spirits and send some holiday cheer to friends and family! Shop local and send a creative cocktail-themed gift basket to your loved ones. Since celebrations can happen anywhere… set up a virtual happy hour with your cocktail-loving kin and enjoy drinks together!
Beacon is the perfect place to find fun and festive cocktail items. From glasses to garnishes, you can find the right combination of essentials and spirits that will meet every budget. Start at the west end of Main Street (by Route 9D) and pick up all the accoutrement that you need for your kit!
Contact the store for hours and curbside pickup where available.
Utensil, 143 Main Street
Find bar essentials at Utensil, a practical, and affordable kitchenware shop. Utensil has a wide selection of tools such as strainers, shakers, stirrers, citrus squeezers and peelers, ice cube molds, glassware, coasters, bar towels, Raft bitters and syrups, and mouthwatering Woodford Reserve Bourbon Cherries.
Artisan Wine Shop, 180 Main Street
Stock up on a marvelous selection of rare whiskeys and mezcals, as well as gins, rums, amaros, vermouths, tequilas, and bitters at Artisan Wine Shop, a wine and spirits store. Unique liqueurs and cocktail modifiers from near and far take the home bartender on myriad cocktail adventures. Jiggers, strainers, muddlers, flasks, and single malt and rocks glasses are available.
Homespun Foods – 232 Main Street
Homespun has a unique offering of amaro, sherry and mistelles in full bottles for some holiday cheer! When your feet need resting after the day of shopping, sip on a hot spiced cider with Palo Cortado sherry. Many of the selections are organic or biodynamic. Homespun’s back patio is open with a fire pit, but the indoors remains for take-out pickup and ordering only.
The Last Outpost - 314 Main Street
This mainly menswear, lifestyle, and outdoor store carries many options for the cocktail enthusiast. Grab yourself a shaker, a vintage cork screw, a flask, or a glassware set from the modern era. It’s all at the Outpost and it’s all ready for you to make the perfect drink.
Dennings Point Distillery – 10 North Chestnut Street
Dennings Point Distillery has something for every spirits enthusiast – from their aromatic, citrus-forward Great 9 Gin to their award-winning cask strength Beacon Bourbon, and Beacon Apple Brandy, distilled from 100% local apples.
Binnacle Books – 321 Main Street
Pick up a copy or two (one for yourself!) of Cocktails Across America: A Postcard View of Cocktail Culture in the 1930s, 40s, and 50s written by Beacon resident Diane Lapis and coauthor Anne Peck-Davis. Cocktails contains over 50 classic recipes (as well as several modern twists), fascinating historical vignettes and over 200 pieces of vintage ephemera. The reader will be transported to an era of unbridled indulgence and distinct glamour.
The book is also available at Amazon http://bit.ly/CocktailsAcrossAmerica
Beacon Bath and Bubble - 458 Main Street
Garnish your cocktails with CANDY!!! Beacon Bath & Bubble has an amazing selection of old fashioned and retro candy from to make your cocktails look and taste special. Add a sweet finish to your drink… pierce some gummy bears on a cocktail pick, drop a Blow-Pop in a martini, or place a peach gummy slice on the rim of a margarita. Colorful and fun for the holidays!
Raven Rose – 474 Main Street
Set the mood for your cocktail hour with colorful candles in seasonal scents alongside flowers or wreaths. Ask about the CBD Ginger Bitters.
Denise Gianna Designs - 480 Main Street
Denise Gianna Designs Interior Design and Shop makes staying cozy at home a luxury! In addition to their usual projects, they design bespoke home bars & lounge spaces for intimate cocktails & future gatherings. Denise Gianna has everything you need for the home bar: bar carts, tables, seating, bar accessories, glassware & linens.
Berte - 500 Main Street
Berte is a new shop in Beacon (in the former Loopy Mango space) and specializes in ambiance. Whether you're searching for ceramic coasters for your cocktail glass, a brass bottle opener to crack open that ginger beer, or some hand carved candlestick holders to set the mood, this shop has the perfect gifts for those who like to imbibe, but make it a bit extra.
After you wrap and send your cocktail cheer kit… sit back and relax with your own copy of Cocktails Across America… travel back in time with a cocktail in hand… cheers!
Beacon's 3rd Annual Hop And Shop Kicks Off Today!
/It’s that time of year again! Beacon’s 3rd Annual Hop and Shop aka festive shopping, services, sales & specials on Main Street! TODAY 12/3 and Friday 12/4. Perfect opportunity to #ShopSmall & #ShopLocal!
Let’s get to the good stuff…
Which Businesses Are Involved?
Lewis & Pine
Kringle’s Christmas House
Blend Smoothie & Salad Bar
Alton Road Pottery
Tito Santana Taqueira
Utensil
Beacon Tintype
Play
Beetle & Fred
Hudson Land Design
Zakka Joy
Beacon Bread Company
Flora Good Times
Lucky Thirty One
Ziatun
LotusWorks
Happy Valley Arcade Bar
The Studio @ Beacon
Last Outpost Store
Binnacle Books
Beacon D'Lites
Vincent’s Eat Paint Love
Beacon Pantry
Beacon Bed & Breakfast
Blackbird Attic
Wonderbar
The Vault Restaurant
Sullivan & Main
NFP: New Form Perspective
Reservoir I Clothing & Home
LLTO / Live Light Travel Often
La Mere
Raven Rose
Vintage Beacon
Hyperbole
Solstad House
Beacon Mercantile
Village Jerk
The Chocolate Studio
The Leaf NY
Berte
Maria Lago Studio 502
Vegetalien
BAU Gallery
The Snooki Shop
Hudson Valley Marshmallow Company
Kaight
Holistic Living with Doctor Dardano
Miss Tea
The Blushery
King & Curated
Beacon Aesthetics
Melzingah Tap House
Urban Links Design
The Roundhouse
Inglenook Marketplace
What Are The Discounts?
Find out HERE at Hop & Shop Beacon.
Making The Magic During The Pandemic - Budget Or Zero Budget - Holiday Season 2020
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When my 10-year old daughter brought down the tinsel tree from the attic - two weeks ago, so that puts us in mid-November - I won’t lie to you by sharing that instead of sheer holiday joy, I hyperventilated and cried. It was a Monday morning. We were on a roll with getting dressed, having enough breakfast to satisfy a morning belly during a Remote Morning Meeting for school, and I was methodically making a dent in the 4 baskets of laundry while making my work to-do list.
There is always talk of decorating for Holiday right after Halloween, and I pushed it off, kicked the can down the road, begging them if I could pick up and organize the house and attic enough before the Christmas decorations came down. So when I saw the tinsel, the amount of loss of control of what was about to happen was overwhelming. The Holiday Season is here, and that means many things, but most physically, it means spending money and existing in pure consumerism. Which as a kid is really fun! But as an adult, has formed an emerging outlook. But the season is so beautiful! And it’s fun to give gifts! But you may not have money. Oye, the agonizing toll. I first wrote about this over at the Highlands Current in 2018.
So here’s the deal. Here’s how we can make it through the holiday season during a pandemic, making it a lot of fun, even if you have no budget. And if you do have a budget, yay! If you don’t have a budget, we are going to yay this too!
ALBB As A Marketer
You’re going to see A Little Beacon Blog go bananas on Instagram for shopping. We usually do anyway, but we will during this season too. Keeping in mind that many of you may not be able to spend on anything at all. We are fans of small business and entrepreneurship, so we like to be a part of keeping people in business, which can give them financial and creative freedoms.
Shops On Main Street Need The Sales
At this point in the pandemic, shopping from the stores is a good deed. Where once retail therapy felt good for you, it is more of a mutual feeling than ever. These shops make our walking and driving experience in any town. If you want that experience to stay, then you need to buy something from the store. If you went into a store one time, and had a bad experience, or someone said or did something to make you mad, and you never go back again, you’re just hurting the vibe in which you live. So give them another try.
Wrap What You Recently Purchased
Holiday gifts don’t need to be purchased after Thanksgiving. That is not the rule. The rule is a feeling of giving and appreciation. If you recently bought a couch, or some shoes that you loved because they were on sale 2 months ago, wrap them. Remember what you have and recently invested in. It all counts!
Schedule Purchases After December 25th
You may need things, like fitness clothing. You may want this to be your gift. But, it goes on mega-sale in the big-box stores after December 25th. Like the Annual Sale at Victoria Secret, where their PINK line includes leggings, sweatshirts, etc. If these are the things you are asking for, let your people know, budget the money, and go after December 25th. If you all know this up front, waiting to make this purchase might make this easier.
Gently Push Back On Those Who Insist On Spending
Yes, we at ALBB encourage people to spend (doing so is our job sometimes!). But for those with no budget, not spending is real. One may either not have cash, or might go back into a cycle of debt. And those are not things we want to do. No debt! Try your best (speaking to the choir, here). Visualize a life with budget buckets, and your life with a pile of savings that you can live from long after you stop working. This doesn’t mean not spending. You can spend! The mindset just needs to shift into when we spend.
There may be people in your life who insist on spending on you, or your little ones. If it’s your own shared budget, and you don’t want to perpetuate the cycle of debt, or take from your safety net, keep talking about the progress of your debt diet, and how having a safety net is important. People build safety nets for emergencies, like when there is a pandemic. And there is a pandemic right now!!
People Who Insist On Spending Their Budgets On You Or Your Kids
Long ago, after donating many, many clothes from my kid’s over-stuffed drawers (we had a great hand-me-down source), I asked some gift-givers to not give us clothes, but to contribute to their college funds. When I bought clothes, I bought them from consignment stores or sale racks, and knew exactly what we needed when we needed it. So I didn’t want heaps of outfits. This did not go over well. The retail itch is strong in people, and wanted to be scratched.
Respecting that the retail itch in someone else is something that I cannot control, I try to direct the gifts to be part of the magical flow for my kids.
Talk About Your Debt Diet Or Money Savings and Growth Plans
Talking about savings - and financial planning - is not part of our normal dialogue. It could be. Showing and celebrating when we make dents in our debt can help keep the debt diet on track. Telling your people about how you want to pay off your car or your home or your outstanding bill somewhere will help them respect your wishes, and either direct their gifts there, or help you yourself not spend.
Making The Magic For Little Ones
Honestly, the holiday season is all about warmth, surprises and thoughtfulness. Surprises can come in many forms. Where once I was a hard “No” on the Elf on the Shelf, I came to terms with it because it brings my kids such joy, to wonder about the Elf and what it will do. We have 3 elves now (one for each child). And they even made an accidental appearance in September! Everyone was very confused. But it added to some fun.
Think of little surprises you can do for your little ones, that make them feel magic around them, that don’t cost anything, or are a part of what you need to get your kids anyway (like gloves). Ignore Instagram trends on what other parents are doing, if those overwhelm you. Do what you feel like is fun for your in your house. Use the elf to translate what you need to.
Teaching Your Little Ones To Make Magic - Activate Elf Magic
I’m not comfortable with the concept of lots gifts showing up without a budget. This is so unrealistic for kids to watch this in movies, and sets their expectations for a pile of presents just showing up. That’s a lot of financial pressure on parents! Instead, I share with my kids the concept of them being elves, and going to get things for people. Then put them in a secret place, because (ok, a little bit of magic is happening) the actual elves will do something to make them show up under the tree.
But this way, we all know what is coming.
Feeling “Enough”
When there are so. many. Instagrams and TikToks and commercials around us, suggesting we get this and that (and ALBB is a part of that), practice feeling “enough.” That feeling of calm, and that you have enough. Look at something around you - a piece of furniture, a journal, groceries, the heat coming out of your heater - and remember that it’s amazing. As for your little kids coming up to you wanting more more more, all I can tell you is….show them your bank account LOL.
Start paying them to clean your house so that they have their own budgets, and start buying their own things. I have different jobs with different rates, like sweeping and wiping down the stairs; Windexing the mirrors; spray-mopping the floor. They need to seek approval each time - because sometimes they just did it and it’s not dirty - but this is good training for a business mindset.
When they can or cannot afford something from their own bank account (if that’s their wallet or an actual bank account), they will truly learn the feeling of enough. And you won’t need to say “no” anymore or as much.
Feeling Sheer Holiday Joy - Feel The Love
During this time in the pandemic, we all need to feel happy. We do! There is a lot of sorrow around us. And those of you with budgets, you are wanting to contribute your means to help other people with their means. That is AMAZING.
Feel OK to feel joy. And keep on with being aware of others and what they need, and helping them and you get there.
Happy Holidays. The Holiday season is OPEN.
Beacon Shoppers Pop Up With Joyful Noise After Election Results Are Declared
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Saturday started a stunner of a weekend, with the sunshine and warm weather. The stunner of a surprise happened mid-day Saturday, when the 2020 election results were declared and just over one half of America began celebrating. Locals and visitors were already out and about to enjoy shopping on Beacon’s Main Street, which grew enhanced with joyful honking of passing cars.
As cars passed, some people walking on the sidewalk clapped and cheered. Twins Barber Shop had a DJ spinning beats, and Joy, the owner of the Subway franchise, stepped outside to film what was developing on Beacon’s mile long Main Street. She wasn’t alone. Several shop owners and staff also stepped outside to look at the cheers, take pictures, and step back inside for the hustle and bustle that is Saturday in Beacon.
While not organized, this demonstration of horn honking was impromptu and was done by drivers as they drove from Point A to Point B of their Saturday errands. Patrons outside of several eateries like Homespun, Zaitun, Max’s On Main, Amacord, Towne Crier Cafe, and others, lifted their arms when someone banged a drumb, clanged a pot, shook a tambourine, or sounded a horn. A few cars drove around several times, like one vehicle who was playing the National Anthem.There was very little if any police vehicle presence, as this was not a demonstration, but people reacting while going about their days.
Strangers gave socially distant high fives, people listening to different music in their ear buds joined rhythm and danced together while passing each other. The reaction was not isolated to one area of Main Street, or to one time of the day. This lasted the entire length of Main Street, from the mountain to the train, into the evening. There did not seem to be many fireworks that were ignited.
Later in the evening, at 8:30pm when Kamala Harris and Joe Biden addressed the nation and the world, horns were honking in their TV audience as well, as trucks had been orchestrated to pull up to their drive-in speech that was held outside, to honk in support.
Shopping was in full force this weekend. Below are a few pictures of the shops we stopped into. As for volume of sales, some owners are reporting healthy buying from the uptick in Beacon’s visitors. Brenda from Beacon Bath and Bubble observed that the sales are close to what they are at around Christmas time. She observed this back when the Cupcake Festival was hosted in Beacon, which became one of her best sales days of the year.
Anne from the Chocolate Studio was happy with the amount of people making it around the bend to her end of Main Street, she confided to us as we ate a delicious vegan strawberry ice cream that is quickly becoming a famous flavor for dairy lovers as well.
And of course we had to stop into the Snooki Shop! Snooki, who’s name is Nicole, opened the shop in Beacon, returning to her roots of the Hudson Valley to expand her business. We learned that she also has a line of makeup, and other goodies you’ll find inside the shop.
For those who are fans of the annual Hop and Shop, event, a date has been set! Reserve December 3 (Thursday) and December 4 (Friday) for extra long nights of shopping.
Below are videos of different areas of Main Street and the joyful noise sounded.
The Chocolate Studio, on Beacon’s East End of Main Street, near the mountain. Try their vegan strawberry, a favorite with dairy lovers.
LLTO is back! Once in the tiny shop near Mountain Tops, this decor shop has opened mid-way down Main Street. Very selective inventory that from around the world, you’ll want to stop in.
Bath salts, bubble bath, bath bombs, all you need to brighten your bathroom are in Beacon Bath and Bubble, along with childhood favorites candy and soda.
New journals and towels are in at Beacon Mercantile, a perfume store in Beacon, where the scents are made in the shop.
Makeup from Snooki in the Snooki Shop, which includes a glitter pallet. You’ll even find stick-on eyelashes!
Velour is in this season, and you’ll find it at La Mere right now, with this velour halter. Wear it under a tank. And don’t miss the stackable rings to bling up your fingers.
More Good Leaves Beacon Storefront Space - Bottling Business and Syrups Brand To Continue - A Look Back and Forward For This Brand
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Longtime Beacon-based business, Drink More Good (DMG), is leaving Beacon. The spacious storefront next to Towne Crier Cafe and Oak Vino, is for rent. Oak Vino had been for sale prior to the pandemic, and all through the pandemic, and continues to be (but has had tasty nibbles…our sources say it may be selling soon). Announcement to come on what that space will become, or if it stays the same.
Jason started as a bartender and mixologist, and began his bottled syrups company with a big vision and a g-chat message (gmail chat…back in the olden days) with an early investor. The brand More Good earned shelf space on several retail stores including Whole Foods, Key Foods, and several boutiques across the country. Jason’s businesses endeavors continued to expand, as he partnered locally with businesses including Ella’s Bellas, Story Screen, and even the Roosevelt Bar in HV Food Hall, as well as other brands in New York and elsewhere. Generosity-wise, his business has always given a portion to Generosity.org, an organization that brings clean water to people who don’t have access to it.
The Expansions Started In Beacon
We first wrote about the syrup company, More Good, when they were moving out of their 500 square foot space on Main Street in the little space across from Homespun, that was used by Homespun for their catering, and shared with More Good (the space is now up for rent) to go further down the street to what has been More Good’s long-running location at 383 Main Street. That location opened with 2,000 square feet as a tea shop with a commissary kitchen in the back. Owner Jason Schuler’s syrup business was growing, and he was using the space to bottle the sweet stuff.
“I took the risk with that expansion because I needed more production space, and I saw a value add for the community as a resource for accessible organic herbs and spices and teas,” Jason told ALBB for this article. “We also opened our doors to other local food and beverage entrepreneurs to help with overhead, and to fulfill the need for a commissary kitchen in our area. We knew there was one because we needed it and it wasn't available.”
While keeping the Beacon tea storefront, he outgrew the space for bottling his own brand, and expanded again into the Old East Fishkill IBM building in 2017. According to a feature in The Valley Table, the new space enabled Jason to take on more bottling clients, where he was “co-packing,” where he assisted other entrepreneurial companies with ordering, manufacturing and fulfillment.
From The Valley Table’s article: “Schuler was producing his own products as well as those of 8 other emerging beverage companies in a 10,000-square-foot space in the former IBM complex in East Fishkill. Early in 2019, the company, in the midst of its first major capital drive, began planning to expand to 27,000 square feet and increasing its production capacity to more than 10,000 gallons per day, up from its current production of 5,000 gallons per week.”
Local insurance agency, Antalek and Moore, produced a client-feature video about More Good, where you can see parts of the build-out of the IBM location.
The expansion was a success, and outgrew itself in a way where one of the co-packers bought the facility. Says Jason to ALBB for this article: “We opened that space in October of 2018 and immediately saw massive growth in our manufacturing business, so much so that our resources were focused on growing that side of the business instead of the syrup or retail side of the business. It was an exciting opportunity and relentlessly difficult. At one point we had over 30 employees and were producing for 10+ companies across several product categories. In 2019 one of our clients realized massive growth, and we wound up selling our manufacturing side of the business to them and vertically integrating our Hopewell facility with their business.”
Jason went on to work full time for that company, and his wife, Morganne Frazier, a pilates instructor and gym owner of Warwick Pilates Gymnasium, took over operations at More Good.
The Pandemic And The Beacon Storefront
“COVID decimated the DMG business, and forced us to rethink and restrategize our entire business plan,” Jason told ALBB. “Evolve or die, they say. Morganne has been rebuilding the vision for DMG ever since. Unfortunately, with the way the economy has panned out, the retail store and commissary is no longer a financially viable option for DMG to sustain. It served its purpose for the company, and I hope for the community too. I built that place with my bare hands and next to no money, literally. There were many days where I didn't know how we would survive to the next, but we did, and we built something beautiful out of it.”
New directions for the syrup company seem like they are revisiting their roots, and tapping into the creative side again, rummaging around in smaller spaces and dirt of the earth, as Jason and Morganne have move out to Warwick, and the syrup shop will once again share a space with another retail business.
”DMG will live on as a brand as Morganne continues to restructure the organization to be focused on online sales and the DTC business, our wholesale business for distribution, as well as reopening a small 300 sq ft shop in a shared space with her Pilates studio in Warwick,” Jason tells ALBB.
“Earlier this year, we also invested in a 1948 Chevy Pickup truck that we converted into a farmstand and Cocktail truck for special events and weddings. COVID has put our big plans to rest on that for a while, but we will be utilizing it as we see opportunity to do so.” Each year, Jason has hosted or co-hosted a fundraiser, and this pandemic year is no exception. A Trunk or Treat 2020 is planned at their new farm, Goodmaker Acres in Warwick, NY, with all proceeds going to Generosity.org.
Meanwhile…
Jason and Morganne are working on a homestead project on their 7 acre farm in Warwick, called Goodmaker Acres. “It will be our next passion project over the next 3-5 years as we build it up to be a sustainably farmed practice that supports the DMG business by growing our own seasonal produce. We will be opening that property up to the public for Upick orchards and berry patches as well. More to come on that as we are in just the beginning planning phases.”
Anybody who watched Jason’s early Instagram photos after he moved into the 383 Main Street space could see how much he enjoyed working with and crushing the ingredients that went into the syrups. The brand leaving Beacon is a loss of a vibe locally, but the beat goes on elsewhere in the world, and Beacon will continue to feel it.
Wishing Jason and Morganne the very best as they expand their family and businesses!
We Made It! Retail Therapy Guide - 9/18/2020
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A Little Retail Therapy For Getting You Through Your Wednesday!
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Getting you through your Wednesday hump day! You need a little retail therapy right? Us too! That’s why we took the walk down to Raven Rose, whose storefront window is so alluring, and the decorative walls inside with her dried flowers hanging from antique ladders will have your creative wheels turning.
They bring together a variety of small makers to create an assortment of minimally designed goods for you and your home. In addition to the gift items, Raven Rose offers local flower delivery in Beacon and carry an array of houseplants and gardening items. For more flower delivery shops in Beacon, see A Little Beacon Blog’s Shopping Guide!
Need wedding flowers for your upcoming wedding that was maybe postponed? Raven Rose is your go-to! Their flowers have a unique character and beauty that can make your wedding yours! They will also work closely with you to create florals that reflect your style and personality.
Raven Rose is open Monday-Saturday from 11AM-6PM and Sunday 11AM-5PM. Hours are subject to change! Call to confirm 845-765-8660 - check to see if Milo is there too! Either in his dog bed or in further into the store. You don’t want to miss him…
SCHEDULE: Retail Therapy - Things To Do In Beacon 8/7/2020
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RiverWinds Gallery Is Closing, Citing Pandemic. Was Beacon's Longest-Running Gallery Featuring 40 Artists
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In what is a most depressing article to write, RiverWinds Gallery, Beacon’s longest-running art gallery that featured 40 artists in several mediums, including painting, jewelry design, pottery, and more, will be over on August 31, 2020. RiverWinds is a fixture in Beacon, with their storefront window brightly lit with white lights every holiday season. The mural on the side of their building, which is a richly colored painting of a Native American looking over the Hudson River and the earth around it, is also a fixture.
Prior to the gallery taking the space, it had been a farm supply store, the office of Dentist Sam Kahn, Julia’s Beauty Parlor and other entities. The original artists who opened RiverWinds Gallery were Mary Ann Glass, a photographer; Kelly Newkirk, a fiber artist; Linda Hubbard, a photographer; Virginia Donovan, a painter; and Paola Bari, a porcelain painter. The 5 artists formed a partnership and opened the gallery. At the time, a woman named Mary Madden owned the 172 Main Street building and had hired Ron Sauer to renovate it. Ron Sauer and his wife Ronnie Sauer are credited with Beacon's original revival after Urban Renewal, a time period during which many properties were bulldozed and the Black community colonized in the Bank Square area were paid sometimes $27,000 to relocate elsewhere in Beacon (source: Katie’s neighbor).
In their founding words published on their website, RiverWinds believes this about artists: “The Winds represent constant change, the force that propels us, uplifts us, commands us to create art. They feed the artists souls with the need to connect, comfort and sometimes challenge. These winds blow warm and cool, hot and cold, from all directions, and sometimes not at all. Through these changes, the artists’ work evolves, and grows. The River and the Winds give the courage, inspiration and vision to open RiverWinds Gallery and to celebrate all the artisans have been called to create.
RiverWinds Gallery announced their closure on their Facebook page, encouraging everyone to shop one last time to help their artists:
After 17 years, RiverWinds Gallery at 172 Main Street, Beacon, NY is closing as of August 31, 2020. “It’s been a painful decision to close” says Karl LaLonde, one of the co-owners. “We will miss our artists, our customers both local people and folks from out of town. And we will miss being part of Beacon’s vibrant artistic community.”
There will be a Going Out of Business Sale from August 1 – 31, 2020 with discounts from 25%-50% on most pieces of artwork: paintings, photography, pottery, jewelry, glasswork and fiber art.
“The pandemic has done us in!” says Mary Ann Glass. “We are the longest-running gallery in Beacon. We opened in July 2003, shortly after Dia:Beacon opened its doors. At that time, the west end of Main Street was a bit grim! But we just had a feeling that it was on the edge of change. And we were right. RiverWinds has been an integral part of Beacon’s renaissance. For 17 years we have promoted and sold work by some of the finest Hudson Valley artists.”
“It’s been a long, wonderful ride” says Glass who is one of the original co-owners. “ Our goal when we opened was to provide a place for Hudson Valley artists to sell work to customers who would appreciate such unique and beautiful items. We feel we’ve done that.”
Voted twice Best Gallery in the Hudson Valley, RiverWinds Gallery is a multi-faceted art space featuring over 40 of the finest Hudson Valley artists; fine art including paintings, sculpture and photography, and contemporary crafts, including jewelry, glasswork, cards, and pottery. RiverWinds Gallery, LLC, is a member of the Beacon Arts Community Association (BeaconArts) www.beaconarts.org.
Most merchandise is 25%-50% discounted. The gallery is open every day. They are also selling their display cases - everything must go by the end of the month! So stop on in and see what's available. And help support their local artists one last time.
Open every day 12-4 until August 31, 2020
Location: RiverWinds Gallery, 172 Main Street, Beacon, NY 12508, 845-838-2880.
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