The humble bowl of chili con carne was once the province of mid-19th century cowboys and the incarcerated in Texas. Designed to stretch out the cheapest cuts of meat into something edible, the savory stew is now mainstream, devoured with gusto by most of the population coast-to-coast.
A look at one of the town’s signature eateries, a combination market and caterer.
When longtime Gardinerites Melissa and Greg Gagne opened Grazery at Water Street Market in New Paltz this past August, they found a way to combine their background in the food business with their love of plants and flowers, all while preserving a beloved local cheese shop.
“New Paltz Eve” is scheduled to make its sixth annual appearance on Tuesday, December 31 from 1-7 p.m. All activities are free of charge, thanks to support from local businesses and organizations. Most of the fun happens indoors, so the party will go on regardless of the weather.
“I love irreverence,” says Chris Owens, 27, whose “Cee Ohh” shop on North Front Street in New Paltz features thrifted streetwear hand-painted in a funky, graffitied urban style.
Visiting a professional picture framer can be an intimidating experience, standing at the counter in a store looking up at a wall covered in framing samples and not knowing where to start. But at Valentina Custom Frame & Gallery in New Paltz, it’s a different story altogether.
Creekside Bar and Bistro has opened in the old Matsu building in Rosendale. The new business is owned by former longtime Gilded Otter employees Reshma Ramoutar and Juan Galvan.
The interior of Crust & Magic at 19 North Front Street in New Paltz is as exuberant as its proprietor, Alexa Floresta, who talks fast and laughs easily; her enthusiasm for what she’s doing with her shop is contagious. “I want the space to feel like it’s a celebration,” she says. “It’s about the energy and the vibe that the brand exudes, this raw sort of slimy, crusty realness matched with the magic part: the glitter, the glam, the decadence. This is a place to be yourself, to have fun and embrace who you are.”
“Surround yourself with smart people, remove obstacles, and get out of the way,” says Christopher Short. The new executive director of the New Paltz Regional Chamber of Commerce is describing his own hands-off type of leadership style, but his concept applies just as well to local entrepreneurs seeking guidance from the Chamber on how to build their businesses.
The Thomas & Corinne Nyquist Foundation is currently accepting funding requests from nonprofit organizations that serve New Paltz. This will be the 16th year the family foundation has awarded these grants. They’re particularly interested in supporting projects where a small amount of money may make the difference between success or failure, with most of the grants ranging from $100 to $1,000. With rare exceptions, the maximum award made is $2,000.
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