STOP, SHOP and GET TO KNOW asks the residents: to STOP and ask “can I get what I need today locally?”; to SHOP at a local business; and GET TO KNOW your neighbors who frequent the joint; and those who have invested in our community by locating their business here in Kingston.

This week, July 3rd – July 10th we are featuring local craftsman Hugh Cummings of Hugh Name It Builders working out of the city of Kingston.

Hugh Cummings was a gold mine find and  is someone who I have personally gotten to know over the years through a plethora of projects. As the steward of an older home, it matters to me who comes in to work on it. Hugh is not only sensitive to the need to be green (by working towards his LEED certification), he cares deeply about his work, and those he contracts in to work with him. From the smallest of tasks – to building a home, I highly recommend he be your first call for a free estimate.

Hugh is also responsible for building the Victory Garden raised bed at Kingston’s City Hall. The beautiful cedar logs were locally harvested and lovingly assembled.

Let’s keep Hugh walking to work. If you have an older home here’s an idea:  consider discussing weatherproofing by caulking all the cracks (like we did!). It’s a simple measure that can save energy and money. Hugh can also install a rain barrel at your home to harvest stormwater to use in your garden. All simple thoughts to help save you money while making our city a more sustainable one — one house at time.

Keep it local…

Rebecca Martin

HUGH NAME IT 
Kingston, NY
845/331-HUGH (4844) 
hughnameit@yahoo.com 

Building with pride. Professional Craftsmanship for all phases of construction

For a free estimate, call Hugh at the number above.

This week, June 5th – June 11th, we are featuring Poporopo Toy Store in the Rondout section of Kingston.

Poporopo is the most charming little store for children….and adults. The selection of toys are impressive that include many thoughtful collections made by small domestic companies that use green materials to retro toys such as linkin logs and the original play-doh kits.

Stop in, say hello – and have a ball!

Keep it local…

Rebecca Martin

POPOROPO TOY STORE
35 Broadway
Kingston NY 12401
845.331.3005
  

SPECIAL OFFER ! 
Mention KingstonCitizens.org and receive 5% off of a total bill greater or equal to $10.00.

Poporopo is a toy store where new and vintage-era toys collide to provide fun opportunities for the young and the young at heart.  As a child, my dream was to own a toy store.  When the opportinity offered itself to me, I worked diligently to provide my community an organized, spacious, and tranquil toy store. I sell some of the same toys that inspired me as a child. Poporopo Toy Store opened its doors to the residents of Kingston in July, 2008.
 

I BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW…

1. Poporopo means popcorn in my native Guatemala.

2. I have the largest selection of Hello Kitty merchandise in the area.

3. I offer collectible toys from tin-toys to star wars figures.

4. I sell wooden, green, and organic toys.

5. I hand sew my own line of plush dolls that I only sell at the store.

6. I sell plush dolls made by KHS students.

7. I have numerous educational toys.

8. I offer retro toys.

9. I sell toys for any age!

10. The store’s window display changes every major holiday. 

Welcome to KingstonCitizens.org’s  STOP, SHOP and GET TO KNOW.

This week, May 15th – May 22nd we are featuring Uptown Cigar in our beautiful Uptown, Kingston.
 

About 8 years ago now, when I rolled into town – I was quite intrigued to find this business on the corner of John and Fair Street.  It had a real inviting ’local hang’ vibe that makes a place unique, and was one of the many stores in Uptown then that made me fall in love with Kingston.  A family establishment since 1996, this IS the place that is home to the Brooklyn Cigar! What is a Brooklyn Cigar you ask? Visit their website to learn more.

Keep it local.

Rebecca Martin 

Uptown Cigar
32 John Street
Kingston, NY  12401 
845/340-1142
877/238-1172 
 

Uptown Cigar Company opened almost 13 years ago, in 1996, and remains a family owned, full service, customer oriented establishment.  While we are a true neighborhood cigar store, (the “Cheers” of cigar stores) we also ship our products world-wide.  Israel, our resident cigar guru, is the “go to” guy for any cigar question or recommendation.  Diane, Dennis and Zoe are our other knowledgeable and friendly staff, and each will provide you with the best service available: in- store, by phone or email.  Our extensive selection of cigars will delight and impress even the most discerning smoker, and any cigars you want shipped will arrive in perfect condition, carefully packed and properly humidified.

 For our local and visiting customers, we offer the perfect place to unwind.  Uptown Cigar Company boasts a large smoking lounge with leather couches, two walk-in humidors, a big screen TV,  and a full service coffee/espresso bar.  You will appreciate our warm and welcoming atmosphere immediately.
 

I bet you didn’t know…

1.  Uptown Cigar Company is owned solely by a woman.

2.  Many women smoke cigars!

3.  Uptown Cigar Company is located in the original, historic Kingston Opera House.

4.  At the turn of the 20th century, Kingston was the 2nd largest cigar manufacturing city on the Eastern seaboard.

5.  There were also a few cigar box manufacturers in Kingston at that time.

6.  Uptown Cigar Company is one of the leading “bricks and mortar” retail establishments in the cigar industry.

7.  More than 200 pairs of hands will touch the tobacco in a premium cigar before it is smoked.

8.  Many cigar companies are still owned & operated by families.

9.  Smoking cigars is recommended to relieve stress, calm nerves, and is still highly popular (and legal).

10.  YOU DO KNOW SOMEONE WHO SMOKES CIGARS!!

This week, May 8th – May 14th we are featuring Kingston Natural Foods Buying Club in the Rondout section of Kingston.

Founder and President of KNF and Holistic Nutritional Counselor Jennifer McKinley-Rakov started this very exciting community business in the city of Kingston. Buying Clubs (and in this case, a fully organic one) for those who are not familiar – allow a person to buy items in bulk with other members – saving everyone a bundle. I’ve found at times that I’ve saved up to 30% on many items. In a little over a years time, there are more then 120 members and now she runs one of the top buying clubs in the nation.

Stop by and visit — and become a member!

Keep it local.

Rebecca Martin

Kingston Natural Foods Buying Club
33 Broadway
Kingston, NY
914/474-2676

SPECIAL OFFER!

Kingston Natural Foods (“KNF”) is a natural foods buying club offering members a chance to purchase high quality natural foods and products in bulk every month at affordable prices. Our mission is to educate our community on the benefits of supporting businesses that embrace the concepts of clean food and ecologically sustainable farming practices. KF&G naturally lends itself to fostering a deeper sense of community and education of how purchasing, preparing and eating healthy, foods supports our own health and the health of the planet.

I bet you didn’t know….

1. A Certified holistic nutritional counselor, Jennifer McKinley founded KNF because she’s passionate about making healthy foods available to everyone at affordable prices. Want to kick the sugar habit? Find out how by visiting Nutrition Street.

2. The buying club’s first delivery in October of ’07 was $1,700 and weighed 769 lbs and was delivered to the end of Jennifer’s driveway!

3. Last month KNF bought nearly $5,400 worth of food and the delivery weighed 2282 lbs!

4. The club now receives its monthly deliveries at its new home, 33 Broadway on the Rondout in Kingston.

5. Members come from as far as Wappengers Falls, Accord, Rhinebeck, Woodstock, New Paltz, Phoenicia, Glenford, Marlboro and Olivebridge to pick up their orders!

6. Kingston Natural Foods ranked 137 out of 2,400 UNFI buying clubs in the nation and receives generous additional discounts each month for being in the top 250.

7. KNF offers produce shares through a new local distributor committed to supporting organic and biodynamic farming practices.

8. Jennifer’s husband Paul makes beautiful local bees wax candles available for sale at the store.

9. The buying club hosts regular intimate concerts in their store space – as well as hang local artists work on the walls that routinly changes. (Want to have your work featured? Contact us!)

10. Jennifer loves to surf!  Though she can’t do so on the Hudson River, she tries to get back to the Jersey Shore each year where she was born and raised.

11. Jennifer and Paul are raising their 3 year old son Ian in Kingston – and Ian loves brocolli!

12. In the last year, Kingston Natural Foods Buying Club has donated over 1500 pounds of organic beans and grains to  Queens Galley and Chiz’s Heart Street. Plans are in the works to expand the program to help to support all of our local soup kitchens every month.

This week, April 17th – April 24th we are featuring Dominick’s Cafe located in Uptown, Kingston. Dominick is dedicated to being open 7 days a week to accomodate our locals and visitors alike. You will always find great food, a great cup of coffee or espresso and a warm atmosphere at a convenient location. Being that Dominick houses much more than a Cafe (it’s a hair salon and fitness center too!),  we will create another entry in the coming months on their other businesses….so stay tuned.

Visit Dominick and the family and enjoy all the great services they bring to Kingston!

Keep it local…

Rebecca Martin

Dominick’s Cafe
34 North Front Street
Kingston, NY
(845)  338-4552

Authentic, Home-style cooking; A cozy cafe cornering the busiest section of Uptown Kingston…..watch the world go by while savoring anything from “the best coffee in town” with a flavorful biscotti to a hearty meal that could include a build your own panini, sandwich, or the daily special. All created right on the premises by Dominick’s own family recipes rich in old world flavor and fresh, quality ingredients. “If my grandmother wouldn’t serve it, you won’t find it here.” (Taken from Reward’s Network. Link to this site is above).

I Bet You Didn’t Know…
 

1. “If my grandmother wouldn’t serve it, you won’t find it here!”.  Dominick’s features NY Italian Style recipes passed down many generations. The popular ‘Six Sisters’ Sandwich uses only traditional family ingredients. Try it and see why it’s all the rage!

2. On any given day, you will hear the music of Jerry Vale and Frank Sinatra throughout the cafe.

3. Dominick’s Cafe is open seven days a week helping to revitalize our Uptown Kingston neighborhood. Their hours are Monday – Saturday  7:30am to 7:00pm;  Sundays from 9:00am – 4:00pm.

4. Family is important to Dominick’s Cafe. You will meet many generations on an given day working to make your experience not only tasty, but a comfortable family affair as well!

5. Hailing from the New York City area, the family moved to Kingston and have had a local business in the area since the 1970′s.

6. Dominick’s Cafe is happy to help you in your catering needs. Give the a call to learn more.

7. Breakfast items are available all day long.

8. Dominick’s is proud to avoid items high in fructose corn syrup. 

9. Payment options include American Express, Discover, Mastercard and Visa.

10. Dominick’s offers affordable breakfast, lunch and dinner options.  You can find something delicious at any time of the day for under $10!

This week, April 10th – April 17th  we are featuring local naturopaths from the New Leaf Clinic in the Rondout section of Kingston.

I am a strong advocate of preventative measures for a healthy mind and body, and have always sought out those who offer alternatives. Kingston and all that surrounds us has a plethora of healers unlike any place I’ve ever seen. Except, perhaps, for Ashville, NC. 

It’s Kingston’s good fortune to get to know the great works of locals Ileana Tecchio and Glenn R. Finley, the practitioners of New Leaf Clinic.  I refer to them both as compassionate masters of health.  They can expertly help you and your family on a range of issues that include: women, children and men, gastrointestinal, respiratory, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, skin and mental and emotional.  All under one roof.  

Give them a call and start living better today.

If you are a local business in Kingston or the immediate surrounding area and would like to be featured, contact me at  info@kingstoncitizens.org .

Feel free to post a review in the comment section of all of our local businesses featured here.

Keep it local…

Rebecca Martin
KingstonCitizens.org

New Leaf Clinic
31 Broadway
Kingston NY 12401
845.331.2235

SPECIAL OFFER!
Mention KingstonCitizens.org and receive 20% off your first visit!

The New Leaf is a multidisciplinary health care business where alternative health care professionals guide clients towards optimal health by integrating the benefits of scientific knowledge, with natural, non-invasive therapies.   We attempt to remove potential obstacles that may inhibit the body’s innate ability to heal. The modalities available are gentle, non-invasive and effective which  include: naturopathy, chinese medicine, acupuncture, homeopathy, hydrothrapy, therapeutic massage, western and eastern botanical medicine, and nutraceuticals.  Our goal is to provide the residents of the Hudson Valley region,  a holistic approach towards health that will complement conventional health care. We also strive to explore steps needed to implement a preventative-based medical approach toward disease, while teaching clients to be responsible for their health. 

I BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW….
 
1.   Our clients range from two-months to ninty-five years young.

2.   We provide a free lecture series about alternative health care every other Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30.
 
3.   In the spring and summer, we collaborate with Mudita Yoga Center to offer a two week comprehensive detoxification     
       program. 

4.   We like to be “old school,” and offer home visits.

5.   Naturopathy is based on six principles which are: First Do No Harm, The Healing Power of Nature, Identify and Treat the 
       Cause, Treat the Whole Person, Prevention, and Doctor as Teacher.

6.   There are four  Naturopathic Medical Schools in the United States.

7.   Naturopaths and acupuncturists are integral components to  many  Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)
       programs throughout the United States.

8.   The “New Leaf” name was inspired by our desire to provide clients guidance towards a new beginning in their health.

9.   On the premises, we have a comprehensive apothothecary  including teas, homeopathy, and herbal tinctures.

10. We like to  walk to work.

Welcome to KingstonCitizens.org’s STOP, SHOP and GET TO KNOW.

This week, April 3rd – April 10th we are featuring local Wine and Tapas Bar Elephant in the Uptown section of Kingston. Since their arrival to Wall Street a few years ago, Maya and Rich have created a hip, creative and comfortable place to be.

It’s incredibly versatile. Relax alone after work with the paper, a glass of one of their superb wines or draft beers and the chef’s plate; or, take someone special for a full-on dinner of small plates, which will surely impress. As you may know, Kingston is becoming renown for it’s artist community, and on any given night you will find many hanging out there.

Elephant uses local ingredients whenever they can  (such as meat and cheese from Fleischers Grass Fed Meats, which is right across the street). Their mirrored wall of specials is always creative, always unique and ALWAYS delicious (Rich’s pork dishes….are my weakness).  Ask Maya to recommend the wine for your meal (the Sangria, by the way, is perfecto.  It’s my husband’s favorite).

Elephant is like a holiday. As a food lover and someone who would drive near or far to try a great restaurant – only the best of them make you feel that way.

If you are a local business in Kingston or the immediate surrounding area and would like to be featured, contact me at  info@kingstoncitizens.org .

Feel free to post a review in the comment section of all of our local businesses featured here.

Keep it local…

Rebecca Martin
KingstonCitizens.org

Elephant
310 Wall Street
Kingston, NY. 12401
845/339-9310

Open Tuesday – Saturday
4:00pm – 10:00pm

SPECIAL OFFER!
Mention KingstonCitizens.org and get $1 off draft beer and glasses of wine during Kingston happy hour every Friday from 5pm – 7pm.

Elephant is about ingredients.

Elephant is about doing the right thing.

Elephant is about being a neighborhood hang.

Elephant, above all, is about having fun.

Despite the name, there’s nothing jumbo about this sleek little Kingston hot spot specializing in small plates and unique wines. Chef owner Rich Reeve works in a minimalist open kitchen turning out eclectic Spanish dishes ranging from Chorizo and Chocolcate and Pulpo Gallego. While spouse and co-owner Maya works the long, narrow space made modern with low lights, pachyderm hued plastered walls and a long, handcrafted plywood bar.

I BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW….

1. Hudson Valley Magazine readers poll (2008) voted Elephant as Best Tapa’s in the Hudson Valley.

2. The Times Herald Record named Elephant one of the best new restaurants in 2007.

3. Elephant plays vinyl everything; from Nina Simone to the Sex Pistols.

4. Elephant is open late in Uptown, Kingston….until 10:00pm!

5. Elephant offers Lucky Chocolates as one of their dessert options!

Visit our website for more information and menu items.

Rich and Maya

Welcome to KingstonCitizens.org’s STOP, SHOP and GET TO KNOW.

This week, March 27th – April 3rd we are featuring local Mexican restaurant Armadillo Bar and Grill in the Rondout section of Kingston.  It’s well known that their coconut margharitas are perhaps the best….in the world. Merle is charming, the staff wonderful – and their location on Abeel Street historic, romantic and just flat out fun. What’s also impressive, is that Merle organizes a Community Garden attached to the restaurant, currently the only community garden in the City of Kingston. Lucky residents of Ward 8! (Though the City Gardens project through the Kingston Land Trust is about to hit the city of Kingston like a tidal wave.  More gardens to come! ).

Come back each week to check out our weekly spotlight on local business. Next week, we’re moving from Downtown to Uptown to talk about all things Elephant. This wonderful Tapas and Wine Bar is the talk of the town.

If you are a local business in Kingston or the immediate surrounding area and would like to be featured, contact me at:info@kingstoncitizens.org .

Feel free to post a review in the comment section of all of our local businesses featured here.

Keep it local…

Rebecca Martin
KingstonCitizens.org

Armadillo Bar and Grill
97 Abeel Street
Kingston, NY.  12401
845/339-1550

SPECIAL OFFER!
TBA

The Armadillo Staff have created a special place for Southwestern & Mexican cuisine with a Nuevo Latino twist.  This cozy place is decorated with soft desert colors; Merle likes to greet all the customers to her ‘casa’.

The Armadillo offers exciting dishes with the spice of the Southwest. The grilled fresh fish and sizzling fajitas are the house specialty! It’s a small Tex-Mex place tucked away in a former industrial section of Kingston’s historic Rondout district, just a couple blocks away from the ‘popular’ waterfront where most of the restaurant-goers and tourists congregate. The Armadillo’s margaritas are legendary, and Merle’s carefully picked staff will simply delight you and make your experience worth coming back for more.

I BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW….

1. All of Armadillo’s food is made from scratch, including the salsa and chips.

2. Their vegetarian selection is plentiful, since Merle has been a vegetarian for over 35 years you can be assured that when they say vegetarian, they mean it.

3. A very happy band of colorful beaded desert lizards and kokopelli figures adorn the walls. The interior is decorated in a warm pastel theme with faux wood and painted Spanish ‘‘tile work‘‘ thanks to the talented painters of “Interior Concepts”. Each tabletop is an individual work of hand painted art.

4. Merle is an animal activist. Well behaved pups are now invited to use the Armadillo’s beautiful, large outdoor seasonal space. Ask for details when you arrive.

5. Merle’s a community activist as well!  She is a Board member of  HVAA; an organization that has raised close to a million dollars to help persons living with HIV/AIDS. 20 years ago she founded a soup kitchen in the Kingston. The soup kitchen is still in operation at the Clinton Avenue United Methodist Church. 122 Clinton Avenue, Kingston, NY. Lunch is served to about 100 people a day-Mon thru Fri. The Armadillo is now working with an additional soup kitchen that operates through the Seventh Day Adventist Church on West Union Street in Kingston.

6. The Armadillo believes Green = Great. They purchased what was an abandoned lot filled with trash and reclaimed it. Today, it is the very first community garden in the city of Kingston. Many of their neighbors have enjoyed planting, watching as their vegetables, flowers and herbs grew. Everyone had a healthy and delicious harvest in 2008. Hot peppers, basil, oregano, thyme, and tomatoes added to the flavor of some of the Armadillos dishes as well. They are hoping to have a local group of young people working their own vegetable plots this summer and giving back to the community through donations of the harvest to area soup kitchens and food pantries.

7. The Armadillo recycles everything they can. Plastic, Cardboard and Glass is picked up by the city of Kingston.

8. Their vegetable cooking oil is picked up by a friend who has converted his vehicle to run on recycled cooking oil. His car smells delicious (kind of like French fries). Another friend uses their vegetable scraps to feed her goats and pigs during the winter season. Other seasons, Armadillo compost vegetable scraps.

9. When they have food to go orders and take home items, there is no Styrofoam used, only bags for take home when requested, and they do not automatically send disposables (plastic forks, spoons, napkins, etc.) unless asked for!

10. The Armadillo has been in business in Kingston for over 21 years!

Come and share a great meal with us this soon! We look forward to seeing you all, and meeting our new residents and neighbors.

Cheers!

Merle

This week, March 20th – 27th we are featuring local pharmacy Nekos-Dedrick’s.  If you’ve been meaning to do it, now is a GREAT time to switch all of your pharmaceutical needs over to this local gem.  At Neko’s, you will be met with excellent care and customer service. Give the boot to the big box!

Food for thought:  The Daily Freeman LIFE section, Sunday, March 15th – When it comes to pharmacies, bigger may not be better

Come back each week to check out our weekly spotlight on local business.  Next week, we’re moving from Uptown to Downtown to talk about all things Armadillo and community gardens on the very beautiful and hip Abeel Street.

If you are a local business in Kingston or the immediate surrounding area and would like to be featured, contact me at: info@kingstoncitizens.org .

Keep it local…

Rebecca Martin

KingstonCitizens.org

George and Maryann began searching for a larger location in the uptown area in order to expand their services. In May 1996, the 86 North Front Street location opened for business. It was over twice as large as the Wall Street location and allowed Nekos-Dedrick’s to expand it’s Durable Medical Equipment division as well as it’s Orthotics and Prosthetics department. The pharmacy has since expanded twice, once in 2005 and again in 2008. The 2005 expansion modernized the pharmacy and allowed for state of the art equipment in the pharmacy as well as in other divisions.

In 2008 the last and most innovative expansion was completed. This expansion allowed Nekos-Dedrick’s Pharmacy which had been compounding specialty items for physicians, dentists, veterinarians and other health care professionals to bring in the latest and best equipment in the field of compounding. The pharmacy belongs to Professional Compounding Centers of America and has three certified professionals with ever expanding expertise in that area. Currently Nekos-Dedrick’s Pharmacy is owned and operated by both George Nekos and Maryann Sheeley.

The staff at Nekos-Dedrick’s includes:

Pharmacists: Maryann Sheeley, George Nekos, Renee Nekos, and Melissa Burdash.

Pharmacy Techs: Nancy Burlingham, Corinne Delmar, Daniel Holton,Catherine Roeber, Kelly Snyder and Doreen Nagy.

Nursing Staff: Denise Oakley, Stephanie Welch and Margaret Murray.

Bookkeeping Staff: Maryjane DeBrosky and Maryanne Jackaway Durable Medical Equipment Staff: Michael Smith and Allen Stokes.

Customer Service: Kendra Kelly, Cynthia Nekos-Bugarin, Penny Vaughn, and Samantha Teasdale.

Phone Service: Felice Trapani.

Delivery Service:  Orvie Giles and Donald VanAken.

I BET YOU DIDN’T KNOW…..

1. The oldest known prescription records from Dedrick’s Pharmacy dating from 1870 are currently in the possession of the pharmacy museum at the University at Buffalo School of Pharmacy

2. Both Nekos Pharmacy and Dedrick’s Pharmacy operated without interruption on Wall St in uptown Kingston. Before the merger in 1995 they were the two oldest pharmacies in Kingston.

3. Co-owner George Nekos and his wife Renee (also our pharmacist) recently became the proud parents of a most beautiful baby girl.

4. Our compounding department headed by Renee Nekos, PharmD along with lead technician Daniel Holton will compound for whatever the need. Anyone is welcome to come in and see our expanded department and see how we compound not only for human need but a wide variety of items for animals. We have dogs and cats with congestive heart failure, infections, skin inflammations and thyroid conditions, fluid retention, etc.

5. Our Dental Compounding department can treat orofacial neuropathic pain, TMJ disorders, as well as any variety of mouth rinses, toothpastes, etc.

6. Our Dermatology Compounding department treats a wide variety of infections, inflammations, acne, facial discoloration, wrinkles, sun damage, etc.

7. Compounding for Pain Management in oral, rectal, buccal and transdermal forms provides extensive pain treatment for all types of pain including pain from traumatic injuries, cancer, topical pain from shingles,etc.

8. Our Delivery service will deliver prescriptions free in the Kingston area.

9. Our nurses can help with wound care, ostomy care, blood glucose monitoring as well as fitting all types of braces, collars, stockings and other compressions needs.

Please stop in and see our expanded services and see if we can be of help to you and your family.

Thank you!

George  and  Maryann