Rhinebeck”™s central village is hub of activity.
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The intersection of Route 9 and Route 308 in Rhinebeck might just as well be the intersection of history and commerce. It remains the heart of the pedestrian-friendly village of Rhinebeck”™s business community.
Though things have changed significantly since horse and buggy days, the 1766 Beekman Arms is still at the intersection, one of the oldest, and subjectively one of the most gracious, inns in America. Another business landmark is Rhinebeck Savings Bank, which opened in 1860 and remains a solid fixture on Montgomery Street.
Shops, restaurants, a movie theater and pleasant sidewalks all work to make Rhinebeck a gem. Last week”™s famous farm showcase, the Dutchess County Fair, was expected, as always since 1845, to boost the numbers of tourists headed to the area.
Residential sales have been sluggish, according to Jeff Ackerly, broker/associate with Prudential Serls Prime Properties on Montgomery Street, but “things are picking up. People are coming down to earth with pricing, and that”™s helping. Homes in the $300,000 and under range are selling; those in the $400,000-$700,000 range, unless they have special aesthetic appeal, aren”™t moving right now. We”™ve had a trickle-down economy here in Rhinebeck, relying on weekenders who buy homes. I”™m cautiously optimistic for the third quarter of this year.”
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Laura Pensiero, owner of Gigi Hudson Valley Trattoria on Montgomery Street and author of “Hudson Valley Mediterranean.”
Gigi Trattoria customers keep waitress Alexa Weeks hopping.
Fortunately, said Ackerly, local businesses are holding their own, and there are few, if any, empty storefronts in the immediate village. “We”™re very fortunate there is local support for business, and weekenders certainly help bolster that support. Upstate Films is a big attraction, as is Rhinebeck”™s Performing Arts Center, which hare both open year-round. Since the Rhinecliff Hotel (overlooking the Hudson River) reopened last year, it has really helped boost Rhinebeck”™s appeal.” The Amtrak station is in nearby Rhinecliff.
The Dutchess County Fair was setting up for business the evening HVBiz visited the village, finding streets busy with window shoppers and restaurants filled. Gigi”™s Hudson Valley Trattoria, owned by chef Laura Pensiero, opened in 2001 and has seen its popularity grow during the last eight years. Pensiero made her way through the crowded restaurant where her book, “Hudson Valley Mediterranean,” is on display. “We”™ve been very lucky in this economy,” said Pensiero, eyeing the packed restaurant. “We”™ve been having a good year, and we have some very loyal customers.”
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T-shirt in window of Rhinebeck General Store expresses village sentiments
Becca Prall does a little bit of everything at Upstate Films.
Ditto for Upstate Films, where Becca Prall “does a little bit of everything,” from ticket sales to bookkeeping, during her 10 years working at the avant-garde theatre. “Right now, we”™re showing ”˜500 Days of Summer”™ and we are sold out. But that isn”™t unusual, because we”™ve got great films you can”™t see anywhere else up here.”
The Rhinebeck Chamber of Commerce is 400 members strong, said executive director Nancy Amy. “We have a great mix of businesses, from banks to art galleries. We meet twice a month, and we”™re looking forward to our next breakfast on Sept. 23. Economist Ken Gardner will be our speaker; he was commissioned by the Dyson Foundation to study the impact of nonprofits on the Hudson Valley. He”™s very entertaining, as well as knowledgeable, so we”™re expecting a good turnout.”
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Originally “White Corner,” the intersection is now Montgomery Avenue and Market Street.
The Beekman Arms is America”™s oldest continuously operating inn.
The business community has been able to stay afloat, largely thanks to the steady flow of tourists and second-home owners that visit the area.
“There”™s a lot to do and see here,” said Amy. “We are lucky that we are a real destination area, and there are a number of good hotels and bed and breakfasts in the immediate vicinity. We get a lot of foot traffic, and there are many events here that bring in visitors.” The Rhinebeck annual antique car and swap show will celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, one of the many events the village hosts.
“We”™re in a great location. We draw a lot of tourists, and it”™s a pretty busy place, especially on weekends,” said Amy. “Like everyone else, we wish the economy was better, and are asking residents to think local, buy local and stay local as much as possible.”
Rhinebeck”™s 3,000 year-round residents have an estimated per capita income of $28,773, while median family income is $57,000, according to the 2000 U.S. Census. Northern Dutchess Hospital, part of Health Quest, is the area”™s largest private employer.
