People enjoy recent Main Street Day
CASTLETON- ON- HUDSON, N.Y.» The Castleton- on-Hudson community recently celebrated its second annual Main Street Day, bringing together residents, business owners and local organizations for some neighborhood festivities.
This year’s Main Street Day in Castleton- on-Hudson featured live musical entertainment, food options offered by local businesses, family games and activities and a robust display of vendors and civic organizations.
Organized by local non-profit, Castleton-on-Hudson Main Street Association, the annual event is part of its mission to highlight Main Street’s potential as a destination. COHMSA aims to be a positive force dedicated to promoting visible change, economic growth, and community pride.
Once a bustling center of commerce, Main Street has suffered the all-too-common fate of small-town America, resulting
in empty storefronts and a lack of activity. Members of the association and others envision vibrant businesses and streetscapes that draw people to stroll, shop, eat and have fun, with the majestic Hudson River as a backdrop.
In Castleton-on-Hudson, however, there is no direct access to the Hudson River available to the public. Riverfront Park is on the other side of the railroad tracks and blocked by a fence; it is the only grade crossing between Albany and Tivoli that is closed. The Rensselaer Land Trust, present at the recent event, has identified this community as a top priority in its Rensselaer County Hudson River Access Plan and supports local efforts to provide safe public access to the river.
Additionally, two new businesses participated in the 2018 Castleton-on-Hudson Main Street Day.
One, 52 Hilton on Main, describes its new venture as “an arts and business collaborative with at least 52 ways to collaborate with the community.” Owner Jean Francois said in a news release that she decided to start the business in Castleton because she has lived there for 23 years and knows it is a very strong community. “I hope the business becomes a center in this strong community to gain knowledge in the arts and business but also to have a welcoming meeting space for those that want to get out of their home and be with others.”
Another new business, Cherrybrook Kitchen, offered refreshments as it unveiled plans to join the community andopen its doors in November. This eatery will be located in the space formerly known as the Diner.
COHMSA and village government welcome more potential business owners who have the vision to take advantage of an untapped treasure, the release said, describing Castleton as a warm and welcoming community with an award-winning school district, affordable housing, a short, traffic-free commute to Albany and a beautiful state park just down the road.
More information about COHMSA is available online at www. castletonmainstreet.org.