In Saugerties, as elsewhere, coronavirus is having an effect on local businesses, forcing closings, curtailment of services and other hardships, but in at least one case it is bringing out compassion.
At the Inquiring Mind bookstore, owner Brian Donoghue said that while people are unwilling or unable to venture out, the store will deliver not only books, but necessities such as food and medical supplies. “It’s going to take a whole community to get through this,” he said. “It would be great if others did it.”
Donoghue has received calls for help from outside the immediate area, such as Kingston, he said. He is unable to help; the two Inquiring Minds bookstores are in Saugerties and New Paltz, and they cannot reasonably help in other communities. As he discussed what he hoped his store could do, Donoghue looked out the window. “I see they are bagging the parking meters,” he said.
Indeed, Village Clerk Lisa Mayone confirmed that the village will offer free parking in the business section “so people coming into the village don’t have a problem finding a place to park. It’s just a little thing we can do to help.”
If you want chocolate to help you through the hard times, think Krause’s. The store interior is off limits to the public, but customers can still get their treats. “We’re selling through a window,” said Carl Krause. “We’re selling through a window in Saugerties. You can browse on the Internet and phone in, or go through the web site to order.” The web site is https://www.krauseschocolates.com/ ; the phone number at the Saugerties store is 246-8377. Customers in New Paltz can order by phone, 255-1272, and in Rhinebeck at 876-3909.
The Hudson Valley Dessert Company still provides the cookies and pastries, along with sandwiches — but only for outside consumption. The shelves are well stocked, but the interior tables, except for the two in the window, have been removed. “The state guidelines are takeout or delivery only,” said server Debbie Intelisano.
While finding a parking space on Main Street or Partition Street can often be frustrating, there was no problem parking near the Dessert Company.
One Main Street store that has not been slowed down by the virus was Nekos Pharmacy. “It seems busier than usual,” said pharmacy technician Carla Washburn. The store was virtually sold out of products recommended to protect against the virus, such as disinfectant hand wipes, alcohol and hand sanitizer. Still available are products for relief, such as pain relievers, cough syrups and common cold remedies, she said.
Steve Gumbs, a store manager at the Saugerties Price Chopper supermarket, referred questions to Mona Golub at the corporate web site. An email to her had not received a response by press time. However, a sign in the store window states that until further notice store hours are 7 a.m. To 10 p.m., with a special hour for senior citizens from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. While Golub said, after calling the office, that he could not comment, a look around the store showed that shelves containing paper products — paper towels, toilet tissue in particular, and strong bleaches and cleansers were empty.
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