April 07, 2017

The Inn and Spa at Beacon Opens This Weekend

April 07, 2017/ Marilyn Perez

Think a wellness oasis right on Main Street is impossible? Think again! Opening their doors this Saturday is The Inn and Spa at Beacon, located at 151 Main Street. Leave your worries at the door and allow yourself to be pampered with a Hudson Birch Deep Tissue Massage or a Blue Eucalyptus Energizing Massage, to name just a few of the spa services available. The Inn & Spa at Beacon will serve as a retreat space from the hustle and bustle of your daily life, with many getaway packages to choose from. The basement will feature the full spa and the Water Spa, including hydrotherapy tub. The Water Spa will be opening soon but you can still take advantage of their other treatments such as facials, massages, scalp treatments, and more.

Meet owner Roger Greenwald on Second Saturday (April 8), and explore the new, beautiful space he's created. Roger has a background in architecture and a love for 18th-century design. Roger has spent most of his career developing luxury residences in Washington D.C., where he's originally from. As an avid hiker, he would frequent the Hudson Valley to explore the numerous trails that make this area a hiker's dream. Upon retiring, Roger relocated to New York and settled in Philipstown almost four years ago.

While visiting Beacon, Roger spotted the empty lot on Main Street's western end and had a vision of building a space that provides an experience for all of the senses. He saw the exciting, ongoing renaissance Beacon was undergoing, and he wanted to be a part of that. After drawing up plans, gaining support from the neighbors, the mayor, and the chief building inspector, construction began.

This is Roger's first boutique hotel, but it's more than simply a room to check in. You come to The Inn and Spa at Beacon for an experience. In addition to a delicious spa treatment, visitors can enjoy regular events like morning yoga on the rooftop garden facing the mountains, or waltzes under the stars on Sunday nights (Roger is also a swing dancer). Read a book by the fireplace in the solarium, and enjoy the beautiful original art on display throughout the entire spa including local glass artist, Barbara Galazzo. Roger is a BeaconArts member and plans on contributing to the vision and mission of the community.

The rooftop will be a space for live music, lounging, and yoga classes (those will move indoors for the winter). It is a perfect multifunctional space with views of Mount Beacon, Main Street, the Hudson River, and the Newburgh-Beacon Bridge.

Every Tuesday will be "Beacon Tuesdays," when The Inn and Spa at Beacon will offer Beacon residents selected one-hour spa treatments for $99. They will also offer Naturopathica skin care products, the exclusive brand for the spa, to members of the Beacon Community at a 10 percent discount.

While the building may appear small from the outside, its high ceilings and spacious rooms still bring about a sense of luxury and comfort. It is almost hard to believe that this is a brand-new building, as it blends into the city's aesthetic perfectly. The building has five floors including the spa basement, but the 12 guest rooms are located from the ground floor to the top (fourth) floor.

You can visit The Inn and Spa at Beacon this Saturday during their Open House from 5 to 7 pm, but their doors will be opening at 10 am. They will also be open on Sunday, from 10 am to 5 pm. They are closed Monday but will be open again on Tuesday for their first Beacon Tuesday, so schedule your appointment today!

March 02, 2017

Movie Theater Coming Soon To Beacon In A Historic Building Near You

March 02, 2017/ Katie Hellmuth

UPDATE 2/28/2019: The Beacon Theater has opened! Click here for A Little Beacon Blog’s feature article.

The construction office of Highview Development Corporation is covered in layers of white pages of blueprints, dusty artifacts collected from the project on the other side of the door, and yellow sawdust blown in from the demolition going on just beyond that door. The room has the feeling of a temporary office setup, one you might see in a portable trailer parked alongside a construction site. But the wall opposite the room's door is lined in windows that overlook Main Street, as this office is on the second floor of the dilapidated Beacon Theatre, at 445 Main Street.

Rumors have been circulating about the fate of this historic building, which sits in the heart of what was apparently known as "Theatre Square." [3/6/17 Edit: The name "Theatre Square" is referenced to in Wikipedia at the time of the research period for this article, the week of 2/20/17, and still needs to be validated.]

Though it survived bulldozers of urban renewal, the building closed as a full-time theater in 1968. Tenants over the years have included a church group - who painted the walls purple and installed purple seats - as well as a company offering private rentals to store roofing materials, and for a moment, an actual theater company. That company, 4th Wall Theatrical Productions, initially bought the theater from then-holder, The Ehrlich Company, who previously owned several other buildings in Beacon including The Roundhouse and One East Main.

When restoration costs became too high for the theater company, 4th Wall approached one of its board members, Robert McAlpine, who owned the construction company doing the renovation work on the Beacon Theatre, to see if he was interested in buying it. Robert's son Brendan McAlpine, a lawyer turned developer hailing from Long Island, DC, NYC and now Beacon, stepped in to put together a financing deal to purchase the building from the theater company. The revamped vision for the historic site included new apartments. Some Beacon residents were resistant to such a plan.

After months of Planning Board meetings and expansive revisions to initial plans, the dust has cleared a bit. What has emerged is a mixed-use project made up of a movie theater, a concession stand serving delicious beer and wine (movie ticket not required), and rental apartments. Harry's Hot Sandwiches and By A Thin Thread will remain tenants in the building's street-level storefronts. One could surmise that Brendan was consumed so much by the history of the building while working in the office, that the building dust got into his blood, leading him to change course on his renovation plans and more deeply incorporate a restoration of sorts on the theater, which once showed "photo-plays" in the 1930s.

The Players

There are four partners in this movie theater project: Brendan McAlpine, Mike Burdge, Jason Schuler and Scott Brenner, each bringing different expertise to the table. After I met with them last week to get a hard-hat tour of the building, I had a few follow-up questions for Brendan. His reply: "I’m happy to talk all day about this exciting project."

Mike Burdge, Story Screen Photo Credit: Story Screen — Mike Burdge,
Story Screen
Photo Credit: Story Screen

Jason Schuler, Drink More Good Photo Credit: Drink More Good — Jason Schuler, Drink More Good
Photo Credit:
Drink More Good

Scott Brenner, Drink More Good Photo Credit: The Molecule Project — Scott Brenner, Drink More Good
Photo Credit: The Molecule Project

Brendan McAlpine, Highview Development Corporation Photo Credit: HVDC — Brendan McAlpine, Highview Development Corporation
Photo Credit: HVDC

Brendan's first concepts of the building's renovation included apartments, as well as a space to be used in a variety of ways. "A big part of the building hasn’t been in real use in a long time," says Brendan. "When I looked at the project, it was important to me to keep it an arts or community space. But it was vital that the project didn’t fail." Brendan looked into theater business models, and found that, "Generally speaking, entities that are theaters tend to not have cash flow and support loans. Pretty much, any theater you see has a public component of financing for it. Those that do not, tend to not last very long. The way to make it work was to shrink it down and have the other components to it. That’s why we came to this mixed-use approach with the rental apartments and event space."

At the end of the day, Brendan wanted to bring in movie and food professionals to partner on the project - namely Mike Burdge, Jason Schuler and Scott Brenner - who know the performance and food spaces well. Each currently runs his own business: Mike, from Beacon, started Story Screen; Jason, a native of Hopewell Junction, founded Drink More Good; and Scott, who descended from Plainview, NY, is a partner at Drink More Good.

Pop-Up Movie Theater Gets Permanent Home

Over the past few years, you may have caught wind of Story Screen, the pop-up movie experience started by Mike Burdge. It first took place in his apartment, then in other people's homes, then at Jason Schuler and Scott Brenner's Drink More Good storefront on Main Street. Most recently, you may have caught a show at other restaurants, like Stock Up and Oak Vino. Story Screen will now have a permanent home at The Beacon Theatre, supported by a creative concession stand and bar in the main lobby. You can expect to find Drink More Good's Root Beer there, along with other signature cocktails and must-have popcorn.

The Big Tease...Story Screen confirms rumors and unveils concept. Photo Credit: Story Screen — The Big Tease...Story Screen confirms rumors and unveils concept.
Photo Credit: Story Screen

Says Mike about the pop-up movie model: "I would take over a restaurant's space after business hours, license the films, and turn the space into a make-shift theater for one night." Mike's initial movie night showed "Groundhog Day" and was hosted at The Main Squeeze, a juice bar he managed just off of Main Street. Next he did a Beacon Horror Show, and a few screenings at Drink More Good. "Those went over so well, that we decided to do a Christmas one, and those did so well, that we set up a screen and a better sound system." Jason and Scott felt the movie experience fit with their brand. "We saw the importance of this nomadic pop-up theater, and we incorporated it into our space (Drink More Good) to bring it a permanent home," says Jason.

“To be a part of its renovation now, to bring it back to life, that’s a really cool, cool, cool, cool thing. I’m getting goosebumps just talking about it.”

— Mike Burdge, Story Screen

When Brendan reached out to the trio to consider a renovated theater with a big screen and stadium seating, the movie experience makers said yes. "I’m from Beacon," says Mike. "The Beacon Theater has never been open and operational in the way that it could be since I've lived here. I am a huge movie buff. I love stories. To have a gigantic theater that is just sitting there and not doing anything was really sad. My friends used to own the coffee shop that is now the After Eden antique shop, and we would watch movies behind the shop out back in the parking lot. We could see the inside of the theater while we watched movies outside. It was just weird. I thought about using the theater, but then I found out how much money it would take to renovate it. To be a part of its renovation now, to bring it back to life, that’s a really cool, cool, cool, cool thing. I’m getting goosebumps just talking about it."

Blueprints and visions for the marquee of The Beacon Theatre. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin — Blueprints and visions for the marquee of The Beacon Theatre.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Places! Places!

Initially, the theater was set to be on the second floor of the building. However, it kept feeling "not quite right" to the partners. How would there be a movie theater upstairs, and an amazing concession area downstairs? As the partners mulled it over, it became clear that the only way to proceed was to put the theater on the first floor. It was pricey, and involved a 17-foot excavation of the ground beneath the theater. "It meant we had to pour concrete walls, beams, soundproof walls to a crazy degree," says Brendan. "Costs did go up, but in the end, I think we will all be much happier with the results."

The decision left the partners with more than just a better flow of foot traffic, it legitimized the theater. "What became clear was, when the theater is on the first floor, it has legacy. What we have gained is the historical purpose," exclaims Jason. "We worked really hard to keep the community aspect in the model, and this flow of how people will come in will help ensure that."

History of The Beacon Theatre

The site for the theater was originally known as the Dibble House (as explored in A Little Beacon Blog's Beacon Restaurant and Bar article) which included a roller skating rink in 1886. According to Wikipedia and the Beacon Historical Society, the Dibble House "was torn down in 1927 with plans to construct a new and modernized theater that would be large enough to accommodate larger crowds for the rise of films, known then as 'photo-plays.' "

Brendan Mcalpine holds a poster that had been lifted out of a wall of the Theater during demolition. The Wonder Bar was a well-known jazz bar on the second floor of the theater. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin — Brendan Mcalpine holds a poster that had been lifted out of a wall of the Theater during demolition. The Wonder Bar was a well-known jazz bar on the second floor of the theater.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

The Great Depression stuck, and stalled the development for six years. The theater reopened in 1934 and was an immediate hotspot, serving moviegoers, performers, and regulars of the Wonder Bar, a favorite night spot of World War II soldiers stationed at the Army Air Corps Base at Stewart Field.

The soldiers took the ferry across from Newburgh and hopped on a bus up Main Street to listen to jazz bands perform out on the marquee, according to an article from the Beacon Free Press. Dated June 12, 1985, the profile piece captures memories from Ann McCabe Hanlon, whose father co-opened the Wonder Bar. "Many romances started there," recalls Hanlon in the article. The space's interior was a red coral, had a dance floor in the center, and a bar that curled around the room in an L-shape. The chef, named Wong, was even imported from New York City. The restaurant was open until 1950.

The Scene and Screens

The next incarnation of The Beacon Theatre includes plans for three screens. Two of those will have stadium seating, with "plush and cushy" chairs. One will have 85 seats, and a small screening room next to it will seat 25. An open floor-plan private screening room that can hold 50 people will not have chairs fixed to the floor, and will be available as a rentable event space to be used for various purposes: birthday parties, yoga classes, a big meeting, anything.

The movies you can expect to see at The Beacon Theatre will be ones you can catch at a Regal Cinema, and indie movies as well. The lobby/bar area will be the upscale concession stand that serves cocktails, beer and wine. In fact, the partners intend for patrons to be able to hang there without ever seeing a movie. This is Jason's area of expertise, being a professional barkeeper and cocktail designer, as well as a creator of after-hours experiences. (Most notably to Beaconites, he produced Ella's After Hours, which boasted delicious flatbread pizzas, other appetizers and creative cocktails at Ella's Bellas.)

renovation work includes refurbishing these Lights and original sconces from the walls of the Beacon Theatre. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

Says Mike about the availability of movies in Beacon: "There are tons of music and art galleries. Those areas have been created and preserved here, but not films." While the increasing number of moviemakers who live in the Hudson Valley and in Beacon has prompted such business creations as the rental house and production studio CineHub and The Beacon Independent Film Festival, there was no permanent home for a big movie screen.

Speaking of preservation, some elements of the original theater are being refurbished, while others no longer exist. Among objects being restored are the light sconces, which will be cleaned up and returned to their original elegant state. A sconce hangs on the wall in the picture below, ready to illuminate the ornate details.

Old and older clash: Original sconces from the theater remain on the purple walls, which were painted by tenants running a church. they also installed purple chairs. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin — Old and older clash: Original sconces from the theater remain on the purple walls, which were painted by tenants running a church. they also installed purple chairs.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

"When businesses open up in Beacon, they are expected to bring something community-based, artisanal-based," says Mike. Scott chimes in: "We are all community-oriented people, which is how this project came together in the first place." Before we head downstairs to tour the raw excavation and leveled dirt that is currently the stadium seating, Jason offers a final reflection on the project: "Anything that opens in Beacon needs to be raising the bar. Our focus is on what [the community can] expect from the theater."

Nailing down an opening date is always tricky with construction projects, so keep your eye on this one, and think spring or summer. The partners won't reveal an exact open date, but Brendan is sure of one thing: "We have a couple of cool surprises that we want people to discover."

When you smell the popcorn as you walk by, you'll know they are ready.

February 23, 2017

Summer Numbers - Presidents Day Weekend Packs Restaurants

February 23, 2017/ Katie Hellmuth

This photo was taken in March 2012, back when the Vintage Cafe was serving breakfast and lunch amidst their antique collection.

Sunshine gets anyone giddy, but when it beams on a weekend in Beacon, the first weekend in Beacon after a snowstorm hit the previous week, that results in a lot of people out on the sidewalks, exploring. It inspired me to head out and hit winter clearance sales at Mountain Tops and Bellus on Main, but if you were out and trying to get lunch or dinner at your favorite restaurants, chances are you were met with a 25-minute or even an hour wait, as certainly was the case at Beacon Falls Cafe. Once in, the special may not have been available anymore!

"We were packed for all three days, even Monday," recalls Stefany Lynn, bar manager at Max's on Main. "There was a steady stream of people for the entire day. The dining room was full at 10:30 pm. We ran out of sloppy joes! I couldn't even get one!" Max's wasn't the only restaurant that ran out of dishes. The Vault ran out of their salmon special when they opened the patio sooner than anticipated. Says Vault manager Chris Sudol about the weekend: "For the most part, the weekend was a big success, and we definitely learned a few things as well. Opening the patio was great for the public, and we did business that we haven't ever seen at The Vault before. The only time we saw sales like that was when there was a band playing, and the sales came from drinks."

Jason Schuler, owner and partner at Drink More Good, expressed with eyes wide open: "Did you see how many people were out this weekend? We did summer numbers!" Summer numbers is a sales term that refers to a great sales day, usually expected and hoped for in the summer, not for a weekend when people are usually trying to squeeze in a last ski run. Other weekends that tend to be great are the weekend after Thanksgiving, and other weekends during December. Restaurants in Beacon usually go on vacation during the first weeks of January in order to give staff a break and recover from the intense holiday season.

Welcome to early spring, Beacon! And welcome new visitors. Be sure to check A Little Beacon Blog's Things To Do In Beacon Guides for your full list of things to do, shop and eat during your stay!

February 07, 2017

Visiting and Local Artists Have a New Teaching Studio To Host Workshops In (Sponsor Post)

February 07, 2017/ Katie Hellmuth

Owner and artist Maria Amor in The Atelier Room 205. Call or email her to book: (646) 705-3833 AtelierRoom205@gmail.com — Owner and artist Maria Amor in The Atelier Room 205. Call or email her to book: (646) 705-3833 AtelierRoom205@gmail.com

Spring planning has begun. The arts scene in Beacon is flourishing, attracting artists from all over to spend the day or a week here. With the Atelier Room 205, visiting and local artists have a wonderful and inspiring studio to host a workshop in. The Atelier, one of Beacon's newest teaching studios, is located in the old Beacon High School, a building brimming over with creativity. It is a school building converted into artist studios. Your students will feel the creative impulses for sure during your workshop!

Book now for Spring and Summer dates by calling owner Maria Amor at (646) 705-3833 or email AtelierRoom205@gmail.com.

For more pictures, please see here: http://www.alittlebeaconblog.com/atelier-room/

This message has been a sponsored post from our Sponsor Spotlight partner, Maria Amor, founder of the Atelier Room 205. Thank you for supporting businesses who support us!

February 01, 2017

BeaconArts Elects New President and Other Key Positions - Plus a Song! (Partner Post)

February 01, 2017/ Katie Hellmuth

BeaconArts member meetings are super welcoming and easygoing, yet are packed with information about what is going on around Beacon, NY. The meetings are fueled by each member's excitement about what he or she is contributing to the community at large through individual creative projects. This beat runs through every meeting, but January's is exceptional. Members recall what the organization and its fiscally sponsored projects accomplished over the past year, then an election for board members (or re-election, for some) is held.

Elevating the start of this month's member meeting was a performance of the song "Freedom and Truth," composed by Debra Kaye with words by the late Margaret Fuller. Fuller was a visionary women's rights and social activist, a transcendentalist poet, and an intellectual scholar and writer who used the power of her pen to advocate for women’s equality, abolition of slavery, prison reform, democracy, and human rights.

The song's performance honored one of BeaconArts' 2016 accomplishments: aiding in the installation of a Margaret Fuller Marker at the Beacon Visitor Center, commemorating Fuller's historic visit to then-Fishkill Landing in Fall 1844. Fuller lived in this area for seven weeks while writing America’s first feminist work, Woman in the Nineteenth Century. The book's publication profoundly impacted the women’s rights movement, inspiring the 1848 Women’s Rights Convention in Seneca Falls, New York. BeaconArts commissioned this song for the Margaret Fuller Historical Marker Dedication on May 21, 2016. The trio of performers - Debra Kaye, Kelly Ellenwood, and Kathleen Bosman - reunited to perform it live at the beginning of January's meeting.

New BeaconArts Board Members and Positions

Longtime Board of Directors President Dan Rigney ended his term of eight years at the helm of BeaconArts, leading it through an invigorating time for Beacon and growth for BeaconArts. Citing his background and involvement in artistic movements in other states, Dan may or may not have gotten choked up during his final speech as president, but promised to stay on as an active strategic planner with the group.

New to the helm, but no stranger to the daily workings of BeaconArts, is Kelly Ellenwood (professional opera singer and now teacher). She has long been an active promoter of members and BeaconArts fiscal sponsorship projects, and as a citizen, she is deeply rooted in several volunteer organizations in the area, including Beacon Art and Education Foundation.

Stepping into the Vice President role is Theresa Gooby, artist and former director of Beacon Open Studios. (The fiscally sponsored project of BeaconArts kicks off May 12 this year.)

The newly elected Treasurer is Aaron Verdile. He also serves as Treasurer for the Beacon Sloop Club, and is a financial advisor at Prudential.

Continuing their roles on the Board of Directors are Secretary Erica Hauser of Catalyst Gallery, and Members at Large Pamela Dailey of Pamela Dailey Design and Christina Jensen of Jensen Artists.

Re-elected to her role as a Member at Large is Sommer Hixson, a PR professional and the Director of Communications for Glynwood. New Members at Large include the artist Rick Rogers, who almost always has an open studio in his gallery overlooking Fishkill Creek near Dogwood. Terry Nelson, founder of the Beacon Independent Film Festival and new Head of Day-To-Day Operations at The Ground Radio, is also a new Member At Large.

If you're not a member yet of BeaconArts, you can join right here, and it's really easy.

BeaconArts Annual Member Meeting Held At The Beacon Music Factory

The Beacon Music Factory may best be known by some as the home of Rock Band Boot Camps, where adults and kids immerse themselves in the study of covering of bands they love - costumes and all. The newest location for The Beacon Music Factory is on Rt. 52 and recently re-opened. The new space was renovated to accommodate the steady flow of aspiring musicians of all ages who come in for private and group lessons, band rehearsals, and sometimes occasional related gatherings, like a BeaconArts meeting.

The welcome desk at Beacon Music Factory.Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin — The welcome desk at Beacon Music Factory.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

One of several private music rooms inside of Beacon Music Factory.Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin — One of several private music rooms inside of Beacon Music Factory.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

BeaconArts is a Community Partner of A Little Beacon Blog and is part of our Sponsor Spotlight program. This article was part of their monthly messaging partnership. Thank you for supporting organizations who support us!

January 11, 2017

Peoples Bicycle's Lights Stay On Under New Ownership

January 11, 2017/ Katie Hellmuth

Back when a few businesses were closing in Beacon, chatter started about People's Bicycle also leaving town. People's Bicycle was originally opened by Jon Miles, who renovated the shop space. Prior to that, there was one other bike shop in Beacon, on the other side of Main Street. It closed a few years ago when the owner, Tom Cerchiara, decided to put all of his efforts into his then-growing land surveying business, TEC Land Surveying PC.

People's Bicycle became the only bike shop in Beacon, and was known for building cargo bikes like the ones you see Zero To Go riding around as they pick up food waste for compost. People's Bicycle conducted regular repairs and tune-ups, and sold Kona mountain bikes. Speaking of mountain bikes, there is quite a scene of sponsored mountain bike riders - gals and guys - in Beacon, in addition to regular riders who like to go up and down the mountain. Would the town be at a loss without a bike shop?

Tim Schopen thought so. In fact, he believed in the need for a bike shop so much that he purchased People's Bicycle from Jon, and has been preparing for his grand re-opening this weekend, Saturday, January 14. "I have worked in a few different bike shops with the dream to own my own sometime," says Tim. "Bike brands we will carry in the shop are Kona for now, with more to come. There are both mountain and road cyclists in this area, with hopefully more cyclists to come when the Rail Trail comes to town, or the Fjord Trail in a few years."

Trailblazers continue to make new bike paths to make it easier - or more challenging, but in a good way! - to ride around or above Beacon. Tom Cerchiara may now be hooked into his land surveying day job, but he's still on the bike, forging new trails, literally. He's clearing a trail from Gordons Brook Notch up to the Red Casino Trail, between the fire tower and casino ruins. A second, singletrack trail will run along the north side of the access road, and will give cyclists the opportunity to make a quick ride, about 45 minutes to an hour long. That route will also function as an exit trail for rides that run onto the Fishkill Ridge.

With Beacon's (so far) manageable snowfall and population of bike enthusiasts, there is sure to be a need for winter repairs and tune-ups. People should keep the new business in mind as they keep rolling on two wheels instead of four!