The Hudson Valley shopping landscape has emerged resplendent and lively from the challenges of the pandemic, with new residents and visitors energizing decades-old legacy shops and inspiring wildly creative new ventures. The wares will enhance your life and the experiences will feed your soul.
Canvas + Clothier | Poughkeepsie
Mary Vaughn Williams of Hudson Clothier and Jillian Grano of Utility Canvas call their retail collaboration a micro-department store, updating the best qualities of brick-and-mortar with sustainable next wave sensibilities, offering practical, high-quality, US-made clothing and home goods in the heart of Poughkeepsie. Downstairs in the handsome 19th-century building, there's a coffee shop and sustainably manufactured, fashionable clothing from Hudson Clothier; upstairs, you'll find 2,000 square feet of bed linens, pillows, and textiles designed and manufactured by New York City-based Utility Canvas.
A. L. Stickle Variety Store | Rhinebeck
has been in the same family since Grandpa A. L. came home from the Navy after WWII, making Rhinebeck one of the only places anywhere to find a store that vibes like a Woolworth's Five and Dime of old and has stuff you haven't seen in forever: Silly Putty, Slinkies, Lincoln Logs, and the original Wooly Willies with the little magnetic wand and the iron filings. Then there are the nostalgic, immensely practical home goods, like lingerie wash bags and Lava soap. The current generation of Stickles, knowing they have a gem, leans into the whimsy and community involvement.
Westerlind | Millerton, Kingston, Great Barrington
Westerlind, with three outposts in the region, is the creation of Andrea Westerlind, part of the third generation of a prominent Swedish design family and a wildly passionate, discerning seeker of the best-in-class for any given product. Westerlind curates outdoor gear and apparel items that are built to last and are casually chic, as well as cleanly designed yet cozy home goods, linens and candles, rugs, pillows and soft throws, all of it manifesting "a thoughtful offering and a left-of-center attitude," says Westerlind. The Millerton location also features the Westerlind Pantry, with fresh bread, prepared foods, local produce, pantry staples, beer, and cider.
Finch | Hudson
Finch is a dream made real by Andrew Arrick and his husband, Michael Hofemann. Arrick's spent two decades on the front lines of luxe design and retail working with brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Celine, Carolina Herrera, and Vera Wang. Hofemann has an equally strong financial and marketing background, and both men adore traveling the world and sourcing treasures: sleek Scandinavian furnishings, choice antiques, fine textiles. Writing in Upstate House, Kathleen Willcox described Finch as offering "that sizzle of sensual pleasure that can upgrade a day of casual browsing into a memorable, even artful experience."
Hyperbole | Beacon
Hyperbole is literally next-level Beacon retail. Two jewelry designers, complete strangers, both moved to the little city from the big one in 2018. Carolyn Bacarro opened Artifact, Andrea Podob opened Wares. They soon became aware of each other as neighbors who shared quite a few loyal customers in common and joined forces as Hyperbole, where you'll find fine art, comfortable, colorful and well-made casual wear hats, bags, and shades and sustainably made artisan jewelry. The emphasis is on small-batch, independent, emerging artists and designers.
Newburgh Vintage Emporium Warehouse | Newburgh
Newburgh Vintage Emporium Warehouse was celebrated in August by the New York Times as the antidote to "shopping the same old vintage." There are actually two stores: over 45 vendors in 11,000 square feet on Route 9W in the original Newburgh Vintage Emporium, offering vintage and antique collectibles, decor, and furniture and old-school candy, and the gloriously vast warehouse, over 75 dealers of vintage, antiques, furniture, curiosities, as well as repurposed and locally made goods. There are antiques from 18th-century and mid-century modern furniture, architectural salvage, and a vintage clothing "shop-in-shop."
Handmade and More | New Paltz
Handmade and More has been deservedly thriving in New Paltz for over 40 years as a destination for artful womenswear, handmade ceramics, jewelry, intelligent toys for kids that won't break the bank, and clever and beautifully designed greeting cards. If you need a present for a special person, the staff will advise on gift selection and wrap it beautifully. If you're hankering for a new look, they'll gladly help you perfect it and accessorize it with the perfect bag, scarf, or earrings. Originally founded as an outlet for the wares of local makers, the store now casts a wider net in sourcing, but the warm, community-centered sensibility is unchanged.
Shops at Jones Farm | Cornwall
The Shops at Jones Farm in Cornwall are a multifaceted complex on a historic farm. You can shop the General Store for fine artisanal foods like handmade quiche from Pika's Farm Table, Coyote Kitchen jams, caramels from Hudson Valley Chocolates, and Perry's Pickles alongside raw local honey, eggs, maple syrup and New York State cheese. You can savor scratch-baked goods from Grandma Phoebe's Kitchen or grab breakfast or lunch at the cafe, then shop Clearwaters Gift Shop for room after room of furniture and home decor, children's toys, jewelry, clothing and accessories, candles and more, all displayed in a renovated dairy barn.
