Art to Wear owner leaves lasting community legacies
By Kathie Scanlon
Marilyn Heberling
Marilyn Heberling, owner of Art To Wear on Main Street, closed up shop for the last time on May 18. Heberling’s new store, Directions, Inc., on Main Street in Hyannis, Massachusetts, opened soon after. Friends and loyal customers, many wearing early designs of the shop’s timeless clothes, gathered on Friday, May 30, to share well wishes with Marilyn and husband, David Heberling, and thank them for their contributions to the Philipstown community.
Although not always in the storefront of the iconic SkyBaby Building, Marilyn was a strong presence on Main Street for 25 years. Known not only as a shopkeeper, Marilyn had a passion for connecting the worlds of local business and art.
A founding board member of the Depot Theater and the Youth Theater Program, she also worked with Karn Dunn to teach local sixth graders about early American democracy through theater, collaborated with Barbara Galazzo for Fashion Week — bringing student designed fashion into Main Street shop windows, and mentored high school students in fashion and small business. As Chamber of Commerce president, she began the Annual Antique Show.
In 1993, Marilyn inaugurated the Halloween Parade, on the list of the most beloved Cold Spring traditions. That first year about 150 treat bags were distributed and at last year’s 20th anniversary, about 1,000 — an impressive rate of growth. David Heberling, the constant and steady presence behind the dynamo, packed and transported treat bags annually. The legacy lives on as Marilyn passed the parade baton to Melissa Carlson of Houlihan Lawrence.
File photo by A. Rooney
Saying goodbye to the Heberlings was, for me, a sad occasion. They both contributed so much to this community and I will miss them. Tara, of course, will miss Dudley.
Things won’t be the same without my visits with Marilyn and Dudley at Art2Wear. Also, things won’t be the same w/o Art2Wear! Good luck in Cape Cod.