There’s been a lot of talk about the flood of city folks coming upriver to settle here during COVID, just as September 11 sparked a similar migration, but take it from a lifer: No particular era has a monopoly on this phenomenon, and it’s nothing new.
New York is the 11th most populous urban area on the planet, with 21.5 million humans; it’s been one of the biggest cities on earth for around two centuries now and, as anyone can tell you, has a unique, savory magnetism all its own. New York draws smart, brave people from every corner of the planet, and the Hudson Valley has been the adjacent playground, refuge, venue, and alternative from the start. Some stay for the scenery, others for the opportunities—smart and top-notch in a less frenetic setting. Hudson Valley and Catskills business folk have been brilliant at least since British-born, Hudson Valley-raised Matthew Vassar had the wit to found a women’s college near his family brewery, causing Poughkeepsie. (OK, I’m kidding. Sort of.)
When you shop indie local here, you’re not just supporting the local economy with dollars that multiply four times as much as a dollar spent at a corporate chain. Nor are you just helping to keep our downtowns vibrant, our open space open, and our neighbors’ dreams alive. You’re enjoying goods and services from world-class merchants and makers whose definition of quality derives from a mind-blowing, cosmopolitan center of culture, whether they practiced down in the Big Apple themselves at some point or had the sense to be born up here in the first place.
The steady estuary of the River That Flows Both Ways has been carrying a glorious diversity of talent in both directions since long before anyone was writing about it, and our retail, arts, and food are multifaceted gems reflecting that. world-class merchants and makers whose definition of quality derives from a mind-blowing, cosmopolitan center of culture, whether they practiced down in the Big Apple themselves at some point or had the sense to be born up here in the first place. The steady estuary of the River That Flows Both Ways has been carrying a glorious diversity of talent in both directions since long before anyone was writing about it, and our retail, arts, and food are multifaceted gems reflecting that.
So shop local, y’all. Your circle of loved folks is yet another multifaceted gem, and it’s not hard to find the right treat for each around here. Here are some ideas to get you started, arranged by personality traits.
the romantic
Romantic souls will swoon over a piece of fine jewelry, a box of exquisite artisanal chocolates, or a stay at a cozy Catskills or riverfront cabin.
Adel Chefridi, Rhinebeck
Facets of Earth, Kingston
Handmade and More, New Paltz
Hudson Valley Goldsmith, New Paltz
Hummingbird Jewelers, Rhinebeck
Lucky Chocolates, Saugerties
Salix Intimates, New Paltz
Schneider’s Jewelers, Kingston
The Green Cottage, High Falls
The Shops at Emerson, Mount Tremper
See Inns & Hotels in our STAY feature
creatives
Creatives will be ecstatic when they open a gift certificate from one of our art supply stores or indie bookstores, a membership in a museum or performing arts center, or prepaid tuition for an art class or ceramics workshop.
Blue Heron Books, High Falls
Catskill Art Supply, Kingston & Woodstock
D&H Canal Museum, High Falls
Historic Huguenot Street, New Paltz
The Art Effect, Poughkeepsie
the professional
How about a really nice piece from a gallery or artisan gift shop for the office wall or desktop, or a gift certificate from a spa where they can replenish the energy wellsprings?
Birch Body Care, Kingston
Kaete Britton Shaw Gallery, High Falls
Menla Retreat & Dewa Spa, Phoenicia
Pink Water Gallery, Kingston
Stone Window Gallery, Accord
Zephyr Float, Kingston
domestic deities
Domestic deities and homemakers of all descriptions love sumptuous home goods that are fit to feather the finest nest, from fabric arts to hand-built tableware. If your dear one is a project person, you’ll find all kinds of good possibilities (and gift certificates) at our local hardware stores, too.
A&M Hardware, Accord
Bare Furniture, Accord
Herzog’s Home & Paint Centers, Kingston
Home Goods of Margaretville, Margaretville
Houst & Son Inc., Woodstock
Moose Crossing, Shokan
Nest Egg, Phoenicia
Tender Land Home, Phoenicia
The Green Cottage, High Falls
Victoria Gardens, Rosendale
Williams Lumber & Home Centers, seven locations in the HV
nature lovers
Nature lovers get the real thing in vast quantities with a membership to the Mohonk Preserve. Then there are the many works of photography and art that bring the outdoors in, as do lush floral arrangements and houseplants.
Hops Petunia, Kingston
Mohonk Preserve, Gardiner
Ritualist, New Paltz
The Green Cottage, High Falls
Victoria Gardens, Rosendale
spiritual seekers
Spiritual seekers are wonderful people to shop for. Who else gets so much joy out of a pretty stone, a brass bowl that sings, or the perfect incense?
Dreaming Goddess, Poughkeepsie
Menla Retreat Center
Ritualist, New Paltz
the foodie
Foodies will, of course, appreciate a gift certificate to that special restaurant. Their creativity will be sparked by ingredients, gadgets, or treats from the gourmet grocery store, and we have loads of those. A class at the CIA is another fun thought.
Accord Market, Accord
Adams Fairacre Farms (see feature for locations)
Citiot, Catskill
Good Grocer, Roxbury
High Falls Co-op, High Falls
Mill & Main, Kerhonkson
Morning Sunshine, Ellenville
Mother Earth’s Storehouse, Kingston
Olsen & Co, Saugerties
Sunflower Market, Woodstock
Check out our local restaurants
for gift certificate ideas
fashion fiends
Fashion fiends will be gratified by any number of good things to be found at our local boutiques and haberdasheries.
Hamilton & Adams, Kingston
Handmade and More, New Paltz
Himalayan Arts, New Paltz
Magic Hill, Kingston
Michael Boris Clothing, Hudson
Montano’s Shoe Store, Saugerties
Nest Egg, Phoenicia
Next Boutique, Kingston
River Mint Finery, Kingston
The Shops at Emerson, Mount Tremper
Tibetan Arts & Crafts, Woodstock
sporty souls
Sporty souls might relish season passes to a ski mountain or certificates for kayak or bike rentals, and you’ll find plenty of clever clothes and gear at several local places to suit almost any sport. A float tank session will heal up ouchies and put them on their game.
Belleayre Mountain, Highmount
Belleayre Ski Shop, Highmount
Camp Catskill, Tannerville
Kenco, Kingston
New Paltz Karate, New Paltz
Potter Brothers, Fishkill & Kingston
Zephyr Float, Kingston
nostalgia buffs
Nostalgia buffs will thrill at the sight of any number of things you can find in the local antique scene, from Midcentury Modern furnishings to vintage signage and old-timey collectibles.
Kingston Consignments, Kingston
Newberry Artisan Market, Saugerties
Phoenicia Arts & Antiques, Phoenicia
Red Owl Collective, Kingston
Rhinebeck Antiques Emporium, Rhinebeck
wellness folks
Wellness folks will feel well-loved indeed with a spa certificate, a float session, or the right aromatherapy goodies soaking into their neurons. A CSA share will keep them in healthy eats all season long.
Birch Body Care, Kingston
Phoenicia Soap Company, Shokan
Rising Lotus Counseling, Stone Ridge
Stinging Nettle Apothecary, Catskill
Stone Wave Yoga, Gardiner, Poughkeepsie
Wellness Rx, Tannersville, Phoenicia
Zephyr Float, Kingston
specialty gifts
Everyone loves to receive the perfect specialty gift. You’ll find candles, decor items, uniquely beautiful things, and/or hilarious things in our gift shops and in the gift departments of our many mercantiles, general stores, apothecaries, and hardware stores.
Blue Heron Books, High Falls
CHBO Drums, New Paltz
Citiot, Catskill
Dreaming Goddess, Poughkeepsie
Facets of Earth, Kingston
Handmade and More, New Paltz
the wine & spirit connoisseur
Wine & spirits connoisseurs will, of course, always appreciate a well-chosen bottle, and our local merchants know how to help you make the right choice. A VIP Wine Tasting Passport from the Shawangunk Wine Trail folks, by the way, includes tasting flights at cideries and distilleries.
Arrowood Farms, Accord
Miron’s Liquor, Kingston
Stone Ridge Wine & Spirits, Stone Ridge
Stoutridge Vineyard & Distillery, Marlboro
Tuthilltown Spirits Distillery, Gardiner
Union Grove Distillery, Arkville
specialty continued
Himalayan Arts, New Paltz
Miniature Works, Stone Ridge
Montgomery Row, Rhinebeck
Moose Crossing, Shokan
Nest Egg, Phoenicia
Newberry Artisan Market, Saugerties
Red Owl Collective, Kingston
Tender Land Home, Phoenicia
The Green Cottage, High Falls
Tibetan Arts & Crafts, Woodstock
Victoria Gardens, Rosendale
Vincetore’s Hudson Valley Piano Center, Poughkeepsie
for the friend who has everything
Think experiences. There are already a bunch on this list, but how about a biplane ride? A hang-gliding lesson? A chefs’ dinner? A rail-bike trip? A bespoke cruise on the Hudson River Maritime Museum’s solar boat? A wine trail passport? A miniature version of their favorite location to put on the mantle?
The people-pleasing possibilities are endless. Have fun with it all!
