The roadside store Local Goods in Boiceville feels less like a shop and more like a community hub. As customers step through the banana-yellow door, they’re met with the warmth of hardwood floors, rustic wooden tables, and a large Persian rug that anchors the space. Pastel-colored beer cans line the fridges, while houseplants and framed art add a personal touch. Whether folks are picking up groceries or discovering local brews, it’s clear this shop is designed to bring people together, not just sell products.
This craft beer-focused market on Route 28 in Boiceville opened in early October 2023. The shop partners with area breweries like Upward Brewing Company, Arrowood Farms, Weiss Ferments, Return Brewing, and Suarez Family Brewery. They also source grocery products from local bakeries, farms, and kitchens, including baked goods from Overlook Bakery, eggs from Emil’s Agroforest, Nosh Woodstock cheese, Heavy Feather coffee, and Tree Juice Maple Syrup.
Co-owners Keith and Abbie Hernandez, Matt McDonagh, and Holly Scull are friends who have built a space for meaningful connection amid the fast-paced bustle of daily life. “What I love about what we’ve created is that it’s a place where people can slow down, chat with us, and talk about their lives,” Keith says.
The idea for Local Goods was born around a backyard fire, with the two couples sharing their love of good beer. One evening, as the fire crackled and they relaxed with drinks in hand, the conversation turned to a problem: they’d run out of beer, and the nearest place to find a quality brew was at least 40 minutes away. That moment sparked the idea to create a local store where they could offer the kind of beer they loved—without the long drive.
“There are over 500 breweries in New York State, and I might be biased, but I think it’s some of the best beer in the country right now,” Keith says. “We really wanted to celebrate these local brews. We want people to try it.”
Inspiration also came from the charm of small country stores, a familiar staple for co-owners Abbie and Scull. Abbie, originally from New Hampshire, and Scull, from Vermont, both grew up in states dotted with family-owned shops that sold bread, cheese, and other pantry essentials—often with someone behind the counter, eager to share the stories behind the products. They took this nostalgic concept and reimagined it through their shared passion for craft beer, blending the warmth of a traditional country store with the vibrant flavors of their favorite local breweries.
Moving to the Hudson Valley from Brooklyn, learning to slow down is an important part of the families’ new day-to-day. The two families bought houses in the Boiceville area intended as an escape—on the weekends or during the summer—and they served just that purpose when the pandemic hit almost five years ago.
“There is something so magical about getting to go on a hike or doing a few runs on the ski slope before opening up,” Keith says. “Covid forced everyone to clarify what matters most in their life, and for all of us, it was the importance of family and friends. We are all pretty social people, so the store has been a natural extension of who we are.”
Both families are deeply involved in the community, with children active in sports and music. They describe their customers as people they already share other parts of their lives with, emphasizing that Local Goods is woven into their daily lives rather than operating in isolation. “We’re a community center in many ways,” Keith says. They regularly host pop-up events to support local artists and makers. Past vendors have included Scull, whose pottery is sometimes sold in-store, as well as jewelry designers, consignment clothing shops, woodworkers, and wellness startups.
“With all the traffic on Route 28, giving people a reason to slow down in front of the store has been beneficial,” McDonagh adds. “We plan to do more of these events and continue supporting local artists and businesses.”
The shop also hosts a monthly beer series, spotlighting a local brewery with tastings led by founders or head brewers, and art prints displayed in the store are available for purchase. Their mission is to uplift the community.
“We see that we are part of the connective fabric of the town, part of the history now, and we are inspired that that can be something we pass down to our kids,” Keith says.
