Photo courtesy of Georgia Blue Flower Truck
On the hunt for the perfect home accessories, birthday gifts, or clothing? These Best of Hudson Valley shops have just what you need.
ATHLETIC AND CASUAL KICKS
Pegasus Footwear
For more than 30 years, this classic shoe store has been the Valley’s go-to for trendy and comfy footwear. A variety of styles are available, like clogs, sandals, and hiking shoes. Pegasus even has some vegan leather options.
New Paltz, Rhinebeck, and Woodstock; pegasusshoes.com
ARTISAN JEWELRY SHOP
Mary MacGill
Germantown’s quaint Main Street offers a surprisingly bespoke shopping experience. One of the standouts is Mary MacGill, a jewelry shop where simple and elegant 14K gold jewelry (with semi-precious stones and baroque pearls) is crafted by hand. You’ll also find some casual clothing and a rotating selection of home and art items, all chosen with a sophisticated eye.
Germantown; marymacgill.com
BRIDAL BUSINESS EDUCATOR
Megan Garmers
Bridal entrepreneurs: brush up on your I dos and don’ts of wedding business with MG Hair & Makeup’s masterclass curriculum. It teaches the ins and outs of the biz, from business strategies for team management to advanced makeup techniques. You’ll be learning from the best, too; MG’s makeup artists and hair stylists have a wealth of knowledge to elevate your custom look and event.
New York; mghairandmakeup.com
CUSTOM FURNITURE
Milne, Inc.
This is not your typical design company. At the spacious atelier in Kingston’s Rondout neighborhood, visitors can browse through carefully curated selections of vintage, industrial, antique, or custom pieces. Can’t find a piece that calls to you? Milne Inc. will source or create it.
Kingston; shopmilne.com
GLASSWARE SHOP
Hudson Beach Glass
Striking, original glassware is on full display at the Hudson Beach Glass studio — housed in a restored 19th century Beacon firehouse. The shop offers a glittering array of designs, from barware and blown vases to glow-in-the-dark marbles. Upstairs, visitors can watch demonstrations of glass blowing and view art installations.
Beacon; hudsonbeachglassshop.com
HOMECOMING
The Snooki Shop
Nicole Polizzi, the iconic Jersey Shore cast member has journeyed from beach boardwalks to her native Hudson Valley. Snooki returned home to bring her signature style to her second brick-and-mortar store in Beacon (the other one is in Madison, NJ). Though you won’t find DJ Pauly D or JWoww the shop offers plenty of animal prints, bright colors, and homages to the show. Snooki pops in occasionally, so be sure to give her a warm Valley welcome.
Beacon; thesnookishop.com
BOTANICAL SHOP (SOUTH)
Bridge Street Botanical
Green your scene by heading to this quaint shop off Nyack’s Main Street for living décor, like a 4” Brazilian tropical plant called Freddie (cute, right?) or a 10” monstera deliciosa, which has pretty, palm-like fronds (despite a name worthy of Little Shop of Horrors). Don’t miss the lovely selection of planters, gifts, personal-care items, and whimsical home accessories.
Nyack; bridgestreetbotanical.com
MOM & DAUGHTER DESIGNS
Abigail Rose & Lily Too
If you’re looking to spruce up your fall wardrobe with unique items, look no further than this women’s and children’s boutique. Abigail Rose & Lily Too features a well-edited collection for women and children, plus vintage finds, accessories, and gifts.
Nyack; abigailrosestore.com
NEW BOUTIQUE
NicólJoë NY Boutique
This mother-and-son duo relies on their keen sense of fashion to offer Hudson Valley residents trendy men’s and women’s fashion staples at affordable prices. At NicólJoë — a fusion of their names, Nicòl and Joseph — expertise in merchandising management and vintage branding fuels an extensive collection of hip clothing, accessories, and shoes.
Pawling; nicoljoeny.com
NEW JEWELRY STORE
LaViano Jewelers
Despite opening amid a pandemic, this jewelry store is already setting the gold standard among purveyors of sparkling treasures. LaViano Jewelers dates to 1843, which explains its extensive knowledge of appraisals, repairs, and custom designs. You may fall hard for a vintage Rolex or brand-spanking-new diamond drop earrings during your visit. Consider yourself warned.
Warwick; lavianojewelers.com
PANDEMIC PIVOT BY A BRAND
Ziel/Hudson Valley Mask
Fashion startup Ziel opened a Newburgh factory to produce on-demand, private-label apparel. But when COVID hit, Ziel’s founder, Marleen Vogelaar, transformed it into the Hudson Valley Mask Company. Its production line now makes masks, isolation gowns, and shoe and head coverings for the medical community, plus masks for the public. They’ve also donated PPE to first responders and others in need.
Newburgh; hvmaskco.com
PLACE FOR BEGINNING KNITTERS
Loopy Mango
The luxurious feel of Loopy Mango’s super-soft bulky yarns is an invitation to creativity — and warmth all season long. A rainbow of fun colors is available in 100 percent natural fiber merino wool, alpaca, mohair, and cotton yarn. Crochet or knit a beanie and cardigan to fight the incoming cold with one of their DIY kits, or purchase knitwear from their online shop.
Hyde Park-based; loopymango.com
MOBILE FLORIST
Georgia Blue Flower Truck
Business is booming and flowers are blooming for this charming mobile florist. Whenever its blue 1950 Ford pickup — acquired from a barn in Georgia — appears at a farmer’s market, private event, or business, it’s quite the showstopper. Pails along its sides overflow with locally sourced buds, which depending on the day, can include everything from cattails, cockscomb, sunflowers, and eucalyptus.
Throughout the Valley; georgiablueflowertruck.com
SHOP FOR HANDMADE ARTS & CRAFTS
Sugar Loaf Art & Craft Village
There’s no shortage of local flair in this cute, quirky crafts town. Many artisans live where they work — with some of the homes dating back to the 1700s. You’ll find furniture, jewelry, candle, and soap makers. There are resident artists, photographers, woodcarvers, and stained-glass makers, too. Sugar Loaf also boasts eateries and a performing arts center.
Chester; sugarloafnewyork.com
VINTAGE TOYS & COLLECTIBLES
Imperial Castle Toy Shop
Committed to offering customers “an experience you can’t get anywhere,” Johnpaul Ragusa — vintage toy collector and owner of Imperial Gunnery — and his team have created a place for toy lovers of all ages. Offering exceptional customer service and a wide selection of inventory, your trip to this Valley gem will be an experience you’ll remember.
Pawling; imperialcastletoyshop.com
READERS’ PICKS
Antiques Shop
Newburgh Vintage Emporium Ware-House
Newburgh
newburghvintageemporium.com
Auto Dealership
Ruge’s Automotive
Rhinebeck
rugesauto.com
Auto Repair
Foreign Car Specialists
Poughkeepsie
foreigncarspecialistsny.com
Baby/Children’s Clothing Store
Waddle n Swaddle
Poughkeepsie
waddlenswaddle.com
Bargain Shopping
Elite Repeat Consignment Boutique
New City
eliterepeatny.com
Bridal Shop
Wild Blooms Bridal
Wappingers Falls
wildbloomsbridal.com
Car/Limo Service
Hudson Valley Concierge Service
Poughkeepsie
hvconcierge.com
Computer Repair
IT Connections
Poughkeepsie
itconnectionsny.com
Consignment Shop
Elite Repeat Consignment Boutique
New City
eliterepeatny.com
Crafts/Hobby Store
Hobby House
Poughkeepsie
hobbyhouse.business.site
Fabric Store
Beetle and Fred
Beacon
beetleandfred.com
Florist
Flowers by Angel
Poughkeepsie
flowersbyangel.com
Gift Shop (not at a hotel)
Lilly Rae in the Hamlet
Highland
lillyraeinthehamlet.com
Graphic Design
Tipsy Social
Pleasant Valley
getwithtipsy.com
Hotel Gift Shop
Mohonk Mountain House
New Paltz
mohonk.com
Jewelry Store
Kaliada
Warwick
kaliada.com
Luxury Rentals
LaGrange Farms at Overlook
Poughkeepsie
lagrangefarmshvny.com
Menswear
Last Outpost Store
Beacon
lastoutpoststore.com
Outdoors Sports Store
Northern Dutchess Archery & Sportsman Supply
Red Hook
ndarchery.com
Senior Living Center (East of the Hudson River)
Vassar-Warner Home
Poughkeepsie
vasserwarner.org
Senior Living Center (West of the Hudson River)
Woodland Pond at New Paltz
New Paltz
woodlandpondnp.com
Shoe Repair
Kim’s Shoe Repair
Wappingers Falls
Shoe Store
Pegasus Footwear
New Paltz
pegasusshoes.com
Ski Shop
Potter Brothers
Fishkill
potterbrothers.com
Specialty Store (non-food)
Fashion Shop – Tara Snyder
Poughkeepsie
Find them on Facebook
Tattoo Parlor
Graceland Tattoo
Wappingers Falls
gracelandtattoo.com
Related: This Is the Perfect Way to Spend a 24-Hour Day Trip in Kinderhook
Toy Store
Land of Oz Toys & Gifts
Rhinebeck
landofoztoys.com
Vintage Clothing Store
Cream Vintage & Consignment
Newburgh
creamnewburgh.com
Website Design
Tipsy Social
Pleasant Valley
getwithtipsy.com
Wedding Photographer
Lauren Gorish Photography
Rock Tavern
laurengorish.photography
Wedding Planner
Gina Maloney Events
Woodstock
ginamaloneyevents.com
Wedding Venue (East of the Hudson River)
Revel 32
Poughkeepsie
revel32.com
Wedding Venue (West of the Hudson River)
The Thayer Hotel
West Point
thethayerhotel.com
Womenswear
Fashion Shop – Tara Snyder
Poughkeepsie
Find them on Facebook
