What is New at the Old Groovy Blueberry Location in New Paltz?
It will take me a long time to stop referring to the building that sits at the end of town in the Village of New Paltz as anything other than "The Groovy Blueberry" building.
I am going to have to start practicing now that there is a new business in it. Hopefully, I will be breaking that habit soon.
Over this past weekend, I had the opportunity to stop in to what is the beginning of something new for the little white house perch on the Wallkill River at 1 Water Street. I had seen something spelled out in masking tape that said Flower Shop with an arrow pointing to the door earlier in the week.
New Business Officially Opens in the Old Groovy Blueberry Building in New Paltz
When I stopped down Saturday afternoon to check it out, I discovered that the Flower Shop was open. Turns out it is much more than flowers and so many people were coming in to check out Windfall Farms Community Market.
The current stop isn't that large but it is packed with local goodies. There are fresh flowers and shelves with handmade soaps. Coolers offer locally sourced farm products including meat. There are dry goods and some artisan items.
You could easily stop in there for a meal to make and a hostess gift. The helpful staff working that day put me in touch with Lisa Barone who was kind enough to answer some of my curious questions.
How can local Producers Be Part of the Windfall Farms Community Market?
The current small storefront is dedicated to small farmers in the region. The group is made up of agricultural, culinary, and herbal professionals. The list of farm vendors with them is ever-growing so chances are new farmers will be introduced.
Lisa told me that during the opening months, 20 different farmers and producers will be showcased. All of them value locality, environmentally forward packaging, and directly support a local farm.
What is The Plan for the Rest of the Building
When the Groovy Blueberry first closed it had been rumored that the storefront was becoming a dispensary. That is not a rumor. Windfall Farms has a partnering company that Lisa explained will be opening in the available space next to the farm shop.
The Herbal Confectionary plans to open an adult-use dispensary and future consumption space. They are currently in the build-out phase.
The hope is to launch the event space in May with features from the Windfall's Store.
The Herbal Confectionery is one of the first 26 awarded Micro-Business licenses for adult use of cannabis in NY state. Culinary owners, Lisa and Mike are gearing up to launch their micro dispensary, coffeeshop and event space. (via email Lisa Barone)
What about the Butterflies and the Sculptures in the Parking Lot
SEE Also: What's happening at the Old New Paltz Stewart's Shop
I had to ask what would happen to the iconic butterflies that hung on the building for years and about the wood sculptures in the adjacent parking lot. The plan is to refurbish what they can with the butterflies and they hope to build gardens in the "Blueberry Fields".
They will use the existing art as part of the design.
We hope to provide New Paltz with community-oriented products and beautiful gardens to watch the butterflies and bees. (via email Lisa Barone)
Tour New Paltz New York
Gallery Credit: Paty Quyn