Main Street Shops Continue to Evolve

Names, addresses, and businesses change

By Michael Turton

“Building two stores within a year was not part of the business plan.” So says James Caroll, who along with his wife Tara, owns and operates Old Souls, the home goods, outdoor gear and fly-fishing shop at 61 Main St. The shop opened barely six months ago but a move is already in the works.

When one door closes another is said to open, and for the Carolls that door is right next door at 63 Main St. — the former home of Hudson Valley Outfitters, which went out of business in October. Tara Caroll said they will be out of their current shop and into 63 Main St. by March 1. “We saw this as a great opportunity,” she said. The opportunity includes double the floor space. “We’ll expand a lot of what we now have, and at the same time bring in new brands.” New items will include such things as hiking boots and snowshoes.

The Carolls also plan to attend the Outdoor Retail Show in Park City, Utah, in January in search of other new merchandise ideas. The outdoor lifestyle shop’s new locale will even include the great outdoors.

“There’s a great outdoor space in back, which we’ll use for demonstrations, guest speakers and things like that,” she said. Tara admits the learning curve has been steep since opening their shop. “I never worked in retail, so I’m learning everything — and there’s a lot to learn.” What has she learned already? “People wait until the last minute – especially at Christmas!”

But 61 Main St. won’t be staying vacant for long. March 1 will also see Craig and Deanna Wuraszewski re-open that shop as The Cold Spring General Store. “It will be a throwback to the old general store — where there was a little bit of everything,” Craig Wuraszewski said. The little bit of everything will range from provisions such as fresh eggs, milk, salad greens, salt and olive oil to everyday items for around the house – as well as candles, gifts and cards.

The Wuraszewskis will also take over “the barn” next door. That space will offer customers fresh produce, yogurt, maple syrup, jams and other regionally grown and produced foods. Wuraszewski said they will not rely on any large wholesale suppliers and that if they do have to look beyond the Hudson Valley, their goods will be strictly “Made in USA.” This is not a totally new venture for Wuraszewski. He previously ran an organic grocery store in Manhattan that also included a restaurant and wine shop.

A bit further up Main Street, Frozenberry is no more. Jim Lin took over the frozen yogurt shop at 116 Main in September and has recently renamed the business The Garden Cafe. “I didn’t buy the name Frozenberry, just the business,” Lin explained. He made a few changes right away including expanding the menu to include two kinds of hot soup as well as chili.

There will be more changes by mid-February. “I will have a new menu soon,” he said. New items will include a variety of salads and sandwiches, including paninis. He also intends to have the Garden Cafe live up to its name. “I’m going to add a lot of plants, to make it look more like a garden,” Lin told The Paper. Greenery will be just one way Lin hopes to make his shop more inviting to passersby.

He wants customers to sit, relax and stay for a while. He has already added small couches and plans to bring in more lounging furniture. Equipped with Wi-Fi, Lin hopes the Garden Cafe will be a place where people can work quietly at their laptop or tablet.

And come spring, kayaking and canoeing will return as part of Cold Spring’s business mix. Brian Grahn and his wife Maki Parsons will open Hudson River Expeditions, working out of the former Hudson Valley Outfitters boathouse at 14 Market St. Their debut date is “not set in stone,” Grahn said, explaining that depending on water temperatures, they hope to open in mid-May. Kayak, canoe and stand-up paddleboard rentals, tours and instruction will be offered. While boat sales will not be part of the business, accessories will be available.

“We’ll offer light sales,” Grahn said, “Things such as paddles, life vests, deck lights and sun screen.” The shop will be open Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday initially, and can be reached through their website, hudsonriverexpeditions.com for reservations and private tour information. The business also has a Facebook page. For Grahn, a self-described paddling and outdoor enthusiast, it is his first business venture. “I’m thrilled,” he said, “It’s been a dream my whole life.”