5 Local Businesses We Love
Hello! We have compiled a roundup of our favorite 5 local maker-themed businesses.
From furniture to food, this roundup’s got you covered. To enumerate, the makers we have highlighted are:
Hort and Pott
Nestled in the neighboring village of Oak Hill, NY, Hot and Pott is an unexpected destination. Carter and Todd, partners in life and business, have made this shop a real experience. From Carter’s pottery and wood work, to Todd’s nearly miraculous botanical décor, you’ll never want to leave. It is one of those places that is just ever-evolving.
A true artist’s paradise.
The pair are currently renovating a bigger location. When I asked Todd about it, he said “It is so our customers can have a more of an experience when they visit.” Sign up for one of their classes like wreath making. And don’t you dare leave without one of their exquisite plant containers.
Taylor Forrest
Founded in 2013, Taylor Forrest Studio is a cutting edge modern furniture design studio. Taylor locally makes furniture and select equestrian items in her studio about five miles from our driveway. Leather, bronze, felt, sheepskin and steel are primary materials in her work. Not only is her work superb, but my personal favorite activity is to pop my head in her shop from time to time to see how she’s bending steel to conform to her will and vision. In short, Taylor’s work never disappoints.
See and Be Kitchen
From wood fired spelt bread to almond croissants, See and Be kitchen has it all. And we mean, they have it all. You can pop in, load up on their impossibly tender croissants, olive bread and granola. And leave with a tick removal kit as well as some toilet paper. They merchandised their store incredibly well. Nothing, though, steals focus from the star of the party, the baked goods.
Not only do they offer some of the most delicious baked goods on the planet,
but they are also participants in the Second Serving Donation Program. So, donations made to Second Serving will be used to provide gift cards for those in our community that are food-insecure. The recipients of the gift cards will be able to shop with See and Be to put food on their family’s table. This service is offered in conjunction with the Community Action of Greene County. Via this method, they disperse gift cards to Food Bank Recipients.
Village Common
So, if that wasn’t enough, just down the road in Catskill, is the maker paradise Village Common bath and body goods. Their Land Collection Candles even made the O list for Made in America. On offer at Village Common are the brand’s 100% plant based, essential oil candles. Furthermore, the goods are sustainably made and hand-poured in New York by queer craftspeople.
The brand is a family tradition. It all began in 1968 with the owner’s Grandma Bernadette. The matriarch opened the very first Village Common shop along the Jersey coast. Unfettered, The Village Common continues her legacy today. Currently, the brand has been reenvisioned into a modern lifestyle brand.
For these reasons, Village Common fits perfectly into our maker roundup. They are doing independent and creative work a stone’s throw from our doorstep. We hope you check them out.
Emily Ritz Ceramics
Emily Ritz makes some of the coolest ceramic pieces we’ve seen in a long time. Bold and daring, but with a whisper of innocence. Our favorite piece is this vase. It has three individual holes for separate stems. Thereby creating an artistic yet simple arrangement. Just like Emily, her pieces are one of a kind. So if you see something you love, don’t snooze on it. It will likely be gone should you need to think about it.
