Cherry Bomb Opens Tonight - Picture Roundup of Artisan Gifts You'll Find!

It's happening! Cherry Bomb PopUp Shop is throwing its grand opening party tonight, and shoppers are invited! Visionary behind the shop, Kat Stoutenborough, has hot chocolate on the stove with bourbon infused marshmallows. Oh yes, you'll leave happy after you've toasted yourself a high-five for finding unique gifts for friends and family. The rule in this store is... 2 for them, 1 for you! And to make your night even more fun, more shops are open late, and you'll discover more special finds from other popup shops on Main Street. Check our always updated PopUp Shop Guide for details of other stores!
Find Cherry Bomb in what is normally Zora Doras,
201 Main Street.


This designer uses semi-precious gems in rough designs.

Mason jar art is hot, especially in henna!

Beautiful.

Actually mine! My name is Katie Hellmuth Martin, the publisher
of this blog, and this is my accessories line, Katie James.
Do investigate the jewelry pouch for the pockets and
ring loops that secure rings with a snap!

Adorable cards.

Kat herself attaching one of her felt flowers
onto a braided knit wreath.

A must-have belt.

Holiday cheer!

Something for guys!
These cigar boxes went like hot cakes last year.


An early shopper!
These are unique items, so buy them while they are here!

Pop-Up Shops Guide: Seasonal Shops & Fairs Going On Now!


In addition to the wonderful shops found on Main Street, the hot trend in pop-up shops has come to Beacon. Pop-up shops are very special because they curate items that may be few or one of a kind, or bring access to a brand that may be hard to find. Pop-up shops usually consist of a collection of artists, or are a mini and temporary extension of a store in a new location, or are run by a single artist. This guide includes pop-up shops that are located on Beacon's Main Street, as well as those in the surrounding areas for those who work in the Hudson Valley and are driving past opportunities on their way to/from home. If you have a pop-up shop you'd like us to know about, please email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com. If your shop is in this guide and you want to enhance it with an advertising package, please click here for details.

 * * *


Sound Shack Record Shopping Open House
Address: 148 Depuyster Ave, Beacon, NY
OPEN: Saturday, September 12, 2015
Hours: 9am-3pm 
Tons of records for sale from bargain to collector. ...must make room for more! (Plus a yard sale of stuff and more stuff
chairs, t-shirts, household etc…)


* * *


Are You Running a Pop-Up Shop?
If you are hosting a pop-up shop in or around Beacon, NY and want to be included in this guide, please email editorial@alittlebeaconblog.com for consideration and details of what you are selling and where. If you want to add a little flare to your listing by including a photo of your shop or products, click here for Feature Opportunities.


Rite Aid Gets Upgrade - And Sliding Front Doors!


Rite Aid, in the middle of Main Street, across the street from the wine store and Yanarella Dance Studio and the Dance Bag, has gotten an upgrade. Such an upgrade in fact, that this Rite Aid is unrecognizable from its former self, and is now on par with suburban drug stores that offer sliding front doors, wide open isles, and plenty of walking room. According to a post at Wigam, Rite Aid leased the space next door, a formerly empty auto parts store, and the space behind it near the parking lot for more storage.

No matter what your preference in local business, a fancy Rite Aid is certainly better to look at and walk through. Rite Aid was one of the more challenging stores to get into with a wheelchair or single or double wide stroller. The clunky, crowded, two-door system made getting in to grab something quickly quite a challenge. Not to mention the poles in the middle of the office supply isle, making shopping with a stroller or wheel chair down that isle impossible. Now, the front doors slide open and there is a lot more breathing room.


To spread the wealth, my primary pharmacy remains with Vogel, where I've learned first hand that prescriptions can be transferred within moments of a phone call between pharmacists at different pharmacies in different states.


Stocking the shelves continues, with new surprises on the shelves weekly. The school supply isle leaves room for more, as Walgreens still corners the market on most eye-candy-ish school or office supplies (at the drug store level...Target is the most fun), but as you can see, there are plenty of items to shop for, from diapers to batteries to makeup. Just as there were before, only now you won't be so claustrophobic when you run to the drug store for a bottle of laundry detergent.


Yes, you could pick up breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert at Rite Aid if you so desired. You will find the regular, big name brand items like Ben & Jerry's and Blue Moon. You won't find local names or craft beers, but there are plenty of other options to find unique brands like at The Hop, Beacon Pantry, KeyFood (artisan brands have really increased on the shelves here), and even the convenience store in the Beacon Dental plaza who carries a large beer selection and occasionally organic milk.

 Price-wise, Rite Aid has never been cheap, and prices itself on convenience. This Suave shampoo (the Aveda version), which is on prominent display at the front door, is $4.29, which is $3 more  than it is at Hannaford on Rt. 9. But - the convenience is nice.


The fun isles, for toys, costumes, and greeting cards remain, and have more choices in them, including greeting cards. A lot of greeting cards actually, and now party packaging supplies.

All in all, we're stepping up in the world! It's a pleasure to walk through and shop in the new Rite Aid!

Big Sale at Mountain Tops on Clothes, Shoes, Kayaks

I'm a sale junkie.

So when I see a sidewalk sign that says 30-50% off, I take a hard turn to the right and go into that store. Then I become that person in the early Chase commercials when they were advertising their app to make it easy for you to check your balance, and I check my balance to see how creative I can be with a sale at a store I love.

Mountain Tops is having such a sale, but watch out, because the brands you love like Prana are at your fingertips in these last days of summer. But Fall clothing is also coming in on the racks, so you'll see all kinds of must-have sweatpant-style dresses that will make your entrance into Fall that much easier.

These purple shoes pictured here are Keens and are perfect for outdoor parties where you want to wear a cute shoe without the heel or wedge. And yes, select styles are on sale, and yes, this is a picture of my feet returning for a second pair in another color. I don't think I've ever done that before.

The rumors are true, there is a sale on kayaks, so if you were itching to own your first kayak, or upgrade what you have, now might be a good time...

Need a Nap? Squishable Plush Pillows in Dream in Plastic

Squishable Plush Pillows Dream in Plastic
Pug Squishable Plush Pillows Dream in Plastic
One Friday evening, the kids and I were strolling down Main Street looking for a little treat present after a great week. We were in Dream in Plastic and I was looking at paper stationery that struck my fancy. I turned around to see my two little ones snuggling with these Squishable pillows! Yum! I've never quite found the perfect "nap pillow" for daycare and school, and these are probably too big, but they certainly are contenders for nap pillows at home, being that naps at home are pretty hard to make happen and how can one not doze off when snuggling with this Squishable Pug on the couch or rug??

Must...Haves...Nella Bellas Boutique is Filled With Goodies!

Fall fashion is blowing into town...and you'll find several little must- have items in Nella Bellas Boutique. If you haven't already stopped in, it's a little boutique in the West End of Main Street that has quietly built a devoted following of shoppers who step in for an easy but super cute dress for work or play, or a piece of statement jewelry or a piece for everyday.

You'll see clothing lines similar to those found in Anthropology, yet for very friendly prices. Need a big plastic circle earring for $15? Or this giant silver leaf ring that dresses up a simple jeans and black t-shirt outfit? Done for $30.

And if you plan to shop for a while, your compadre can lounge in this comfy couch while you try on!

Easy Druzy Heart Necklaces and More Style at Lorraine Tynne

If you're in the mood for new bling, walk on into the stylist's shop, Lorraine Tynne for quick and easy updates to your jewelry collection. Quick and easy because there are so many styles that the curate onto the shelves. From costume jewelry with rhinestones or bright colors, so stones like druzy used in heart shaped necklaces. If you have a careful child, it might be a fun place to treat a little girl to something sparkly.

And, their summer sale is going on! 20% off until May 31...

Feel-Good Valentine's Day Gift Ideas for Funky Ladies and Little Girls!

All the ladies in the house...who isn't buying themselves a Valentine's Day gift for themselves this year? And how about one for that little toddler or teenager in your life?

Cherry Bomb has several Valentine's Day gift ideas for ladies and girls, and time is running out to claim these unique gems. The popup shop closes after Valentine's Day.

Many of the gifts you see here can only be bought in the store.


Love Potion! And I've heard that this company has an effective anti-eczema oil as well...
 
Some of the cutest button-rings around. And this melted plastic heart necklace? You won't see it anywhere else.
 
My very own sexy sleep masks for travel from Katie James. You won't find these at my website, only here at Cherry Bomb for now! And look in the Sale area - I put a few on sale just for you ;)


Please buy and eat these brownies in a bag. Because they are so dang good looking.


This doll went over well with my daughter. She loved the pink boots and big eyes!

Hand Designed Fabric at Reservoir and Wood

When I asked Erin Murphy, owner of Reservoir and Wood on the east end of Main Street, where she found her fabric for her own line {em} Reservoir, she said simply, "I design it."

Dream!! This sequence piece here is of fabric Erin designed. She does find fabric elsewhere from her secret sources, but what we have here is an amazing local designer.

Second Saturday Jewelry Sale at CherryBomb PopUp Shop: "The Fellowship of the Bling" (Spotlight!)


This Second Saturday, December 14, 2013, from 10am to 9pm,  "The Fellowship of the Bling" is happening at the CherryBomb PopUp Shop at 201 Main Street, usually known as Zora Dora in the summer. "The Fellowship of the Bling" is a store-wide sale where you can save 5% on all jewelry marked $30 or more. Each necklace, earring, ring and other bling is handcrafted by an artist in Beacon, so you will be gifting something very special and unique. And this bling comes in many forms - metal, fabric, pearls, stones. And even Barbie boobs. Stop in the shop and see if you can find them! Once you pick the perfect piece, ask for the Katie James jewelry pouch! That's what I'm selling there ;)


Featured artists include Kit Burk-Smith, Martha P. Huphreys,
and Caiming Chung, who are talented metalsmiths and gifted at sculpting
and designing wearable pieces of art.

Kit Burk-Smith Jewelry is featured in the wooden tray, and Caiming Cheung and
Martha P. Humphreys are featured in the secret book box above.

Vibrant artist Goldy Safirstein is the bead artist here, paired with
Margaux Lange's one of a kind jewelry sculptures.

Shop these artists at CherryBomb and save on holiday shipping costs!
Being local, you can buy direct instead of on the designer's websites.

Fabric jewelry is hot, and these leather earrings are one of a
kind and perfect for the funky kitten on your list.

This post is a Spotlight! article.

Beacon Flair Necklaces and Charms at Echo

Looking for Beacon NY paraphernalia? Walk right into Echo Boutique on the east end of Main Street, and at the sales counter are these funky little Beacon charms! I may get one for my mother who loves Beacon.

Karen, founder of Echo, had so many requests for Beacon postcards and other flair, that she called up the San Francisco based designer kathy lo rocks, who specializes in making custom keepsakes and city charms, to order a custom collection just for Beacon NY fans. The necklace you see here in this picture says "Beacon NY exit 11" - a popular phrase for flair collectors! In the necklace next to the circular one in the picture, it's a square with Beacon's area code, 845, in big red numbers.  Other styles are available at Echo, so stop in!

Cherry Bomb, Beacon's Most Awesome Holiday Pop-Up Shop is Back!

Walking to BJ's to pick up a lunch of fried chicken, Mac and cheese and cake, I passed Zora Dora's, which had its shop door open. Now, in the Fall this unusual because Zora Dora's sells popsicles and is usually closed. But if its door is open that means only one thing...Cherry Bomb! (and here is their Facebook page) The holiday pop-up shop of awesome is going to be open this year to offer shoppers unique and beautifully made artisanal gifts from local designers. And this year, bakers too.

What you see here is the requirement sheet for selling your stuff in this pop-up shop. I'll be posting it on the site later, but get ready. Shopping is coming...

Rainy Days Need Tulip Headbands from Phea Jean

Rain rain...I'm glad you're here, but geeez, don't you make for a dreary day! What's my motto for a dreary day? Especially if you work from a home office and need to have your game-brain on to kick butt with good ideas?

"Looking good is feeling good."

This tulip headband is from the adorable shop on the East End of Main Street, The Tailored Mermaid when I stumbled down its rabbit hole a few weeks ago. It's designed by one of the designers they carry, phea jean.

What else is an outfit pick-me-up? A glossy green plastic cuff bracelet and Jag jeans from Echo, and a green pair of pumps from Aerosoles because they have a peep toe and are sooo comfortable. But, I need to get me some shoes from Lauren and Riley, also on the East End, because she has a collection that Betsy Johnson would swoon for!

The Tailored Mermaid Opens on Main Street!

Open! The Tailored Mermaid
Watch out Brooklyn, Beacon is totally cool for boutique shopping!!

My mom and I were walking to echo boutique to shop, and we parked extra far away because shopping has gotten tricky now that Beacon is so hoppin' with shoppers and eaters. So we walked by this mermaid logo and it looked so familiar to me, but I wasn't sure why, and as we were studying it, the red polka dot coat caught my eye and I realized - BAM - there is a shop in there (you never know, since new stores are popping up all the time now so sometimes aren't ready yet)!

The designer and store co-owner Sarah Maria is well know in fairs and the Etsy Hudson Valley Team. She is the designer behind Meerwiibli, and she's made The Tailored Mermaid the brick and mortar home of her designs, and those of her friends!

They will participate in Second Saturday's, making June 8th their official grand opening party! Follow them on Facebook for more breaking news.

Take a peek inside!

The most unusually shaped dresses you've seen in a while. And the color contrast on them is amazing. You can thank designer and co-owner of The Tailored Mermaid Sarah Maria for this rack.

Admire the display birch.

The Tailored Mermaid includes dresses, clothing and jewelry from other designers. I tried on the dress on the right, and it was a perfect summer strappy dress that you can wear like a house dress, but looks sexy outside. The red and white dress on the left is CUUUTe. Why? Because designer Sarah Maria added her signature oval-in-a-square pockets on the front.

Bam, cute jewelry that is easy to look perfect and fresh. And do note the display price tags - it's on tree bark with chalkboard paint. Made by an Etsy display artist.

The designer's husband and co-owner Brian James is the author in residence here! He also has childrens' books over in the kids nook.

The convenient nook for kids to color while Mom shops. And they can add their drawing to the collection of other drawings in the window!