Something Still "Country" Special About Small Businesses in Blooming Grove & Washingtonville
- ejreporter
- 19 hours ago
- 4 min read
Blooming Hill Farm - First Place Small Business on
Small Business Saturday
Small Business Saturday in the Town of Blooming Grove and Village of Washingtonville this weekend was a little on the quiet side, with residents using their energy for the big "Wonkaland" themed Whoville Christmas Events that begin 8:30am next Saturday, many of which are workshops that people are already signing up for online (see list below), getting floats ready for the Christmas Parade, also on Saturday (from 4pm to 7pm). Still, several businesses really stood out with their exceptional efforts and resulting successes.
Coming in First by a landslide, was Blooming Hill Farm, which actually was
such a popular place on Saturday that by noon there wasn't a parking spot left until the 30 or so vehicles in their 2 parking lots started clearing out mid-afternoon (nice problem to have). While always busy on weekends it's not usually an issue to find a spot....as MANY found out since it was the busiest and most fun place in Town on Small Business Saturday.
Blooming Hill Farm’s Market & Cafe on Route 208.
This farm, built, developed and inspired for many years by Guy Jones always has busy weekends. Since they are open weekends all year 'round, there are always country-loving people on the farm, but this was an exceptional crowd taking a break from city life. In additionl to tasty country meals they offer organic vegetables, farm to table dining, Farm Wedding Venues, Catering and Events.
(Photos from their Business Page)
Not many places any more that you can still buy organic goods that
come from a real "Legacy Farm" just a few miles away!
All through the year it is THE place Blooming Grove residents want to go on their time off, since it reminds them that "WE'RE FROM THE COUNTRY AND WE LIKE IT THAT WAY!"
“What A Girl Wants” on Main Street in the Village.
There was a group of shop owner Sonia Sawhney’s favorite customers at the front desk having a little All Girls Party on Saturday afternoon, and the ambience she has created in her new and larger location is astounding. With an incredible sense for use of space, she has dressy country chic outfits along the left length of the building, two rows of tops along the right, and candles, jewelry and some country boots that look both comfy and elegant to drool for in the middle, such that the space is incredibly full without being crowded.
Also on the right side is a girly dressing room, and the main desk surrounded by accessories. Sonia, as usual, also had an enticing outdoor display in her incredibly inviting “What A Girl Wants” Window display.
Guilty Pleasures Cheesecakes
Justine and Pat had their usual very busy Saturday morning customers, choosing from their many Gourmet Coffees, and irresistable baked delicacies while others stopped by with congratulations by residents who are brimming over with joy seeing Guilty Pleasures Cheesecakes shop owners Justine and Patrick Maiorino's surprise photo announcement as they become the new owners of the beloved Corner Candle Store.
This couple is crazy-busy with a "three-fer" agenda to keep up with. Saturday will be Cookies and Cocoa with Santa (and just look at that pie) from 9:30 to 12:30 at their Guilty Pleasures Cheesecake, and a there is also a Chocolate DIY Experience at the first official new Candle Store Event fromm 11am to 12pm EST...all while helping the other Wonkaland Events as Co-Chairs of the Event Committee. The DIY Event is a Chocolate Body Treatment ... who knew that chocolate is so good for your skin?
Meanwhile, at Amada's Kitchen ..More Kitchen and Bar Surprises!
Including "Coquitos" Until New Year's Day
And I Guarantee that nobody has a bar as beautiful or
better attended than the one in Amada's Kitchen in Fulton Square
at Depot Street.
F&J Restaurant and Pizzeria
F&J’s Pizza said they had a relatively normal busy Saturday of customers and pick-up orders to go, and people signing up for their early morning Whoville Event (Breakfast with the Grinch), which is at 8:30 to 10:45 (registration required) and as of now is the FIRST of the Whoville events. Their brightly lit up entrance sign and outdoor cafe set-up gets the prize for “THE Business” that always lights up McLaughlin Square in the Village Center, and encourages folks to stop by and take a stroll along Main Street. WHAT a difference it makes when the Village Center is lit up like...well... Christmas, so that people passing by on their way to somewhere else think "Gee, we should come back to Washingtonville when we have time to stop in some of these neat places.
A-Plus Sunoco Gas Station
And let's not forget A-Plus Gas Station, who during this freezing cold Holiday
Season is offering 99-cent coffees, in addition to a full case of deli goodies and especially helpful and cheery staff during the 3 months until it starts warming up.
