If you've lived in Elmsford, this article is for you! Elmsford is where we call home, and we wouldn't have it any other way.
1. When people say, "Oh Elmsford? Isn't that where Burger King, Sam's, or Sports Time is?"
Or they say, " Um where is that?"
And then you have to explain that it's basically a small village between White Plains and Tarrytown. By then you'll already know their response, " Ohh got it, got it". So you sometimes just end up saying that you live in Greenburgh or White Plains.
2. In elementary school, you either went to Alice E. Grady or Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
And you would ride the bus with each other in the mornings and would feel like you guys were from two separate worlds but were actually just right down the street from each other.
3. Going Ice skating at the Westchester Skating Academy on Friday nights or going to the Greenburgh Multiplex was the highlight of your weekend in middle school.
4. The corner deli would be the go-to place after school for an Arizona and snack.
5. The first time you saw Elmsford got a clock down Main Street was a pretty big deal.
6. When you thought all Chinese food tasted like Peking, but then realized how amazing Peking actually is.
7. Sundays in Mount Carmel are packed. When you drive down Main Street, you start seeing some people you know leaving mass.
8. Having random meetups with friends at Carol or Deluca Park.
9. When you're in the mood for ice cream and you know Carvel on the Saw Mill will never let you down because it closes at 10 pm every day.
10. When you basically know everyone who works at Bounce U.
They're either from Elmsford, Valhalla, Pleasantville, or Thornwood.
11. You probably saw one of your teachers at Carmine's after school or on the weekends.
12. When you want to go for a jog and then remember that Elmsford has a bike trail that leads all the way to Yonkers.
13. When you hear the word "Saloon" you instantly think of Pete's saloon.
14. You sometimes forget that there's a funeral home on Main Street, but then remember when you see a hearse and so many cars parked around it.
15. Nails 2000 and Lee Nails are the only nail salons near you.
16. When you meet someone who says, " I got my Tattoo in Elmsford, at The Mighty Horseman!" and you didn't even know Elmsford had a tattoo shop.
It's right upstairs of the physical therapy place next to Pete's saloon. Apparently they do an awesome job there, so next time you're interested in getting a tattoo check it out!
17. When you saw how much better they redid under the bridge that is right next to Burger King.
18. When you know something serious happened when there's traffic down Main Street.
19. You probably went to Elmsford Day Camp at least once in your life.
If you didn't then you probably went there most of your life and then eventually became a counselor or lifeguard there.
20. When you seen green vans that say "Five Stars Flooring" on them.
This lovely flooring company is located in Elmsford, and is owned by my lovely father.
21. No matter what you, will always see people outside of the Payne Street Deli.
22. Teamsters was the Middle school skateboard spot.
And you might know the people who live across the street from Teamsters *wink wink*. They're pretty awesome just in case you didn't know.
23. You know how Burger King originally looked before they tore the whole thing down and rebuilt.
24. If you were in band in Elementary school, you all marched down Main Street playing your instruments for the Memorial Day Parade every year.
25. When you've actually never seen someone bring their cat to the Cat Hospital next to Marinelli's Pharmacy.
26. When you didn't know that "LLOW" stands for "The Lice Lady of Westchester" and it's in Elmsford.
Yep, and it's the store right by the corner deli. You would probably just pass by it thinking, "it's that red looking store" but never actually knew what it was for.
27. When you used to get your pizza from A' Mangiare's but now it's called Capatosta Trattoria.
28. When you're hungry late at night, you've probably ended up at Eldorado's Diner before.
29.The big, tall, man statue that you always see in BP gas station is actually called the Muffler Man.
He has no arms anymore and has been there for as long as we all know. He used to be painted red and blue for the gas station named "Amoco" before 2004 when it was then rebranded to BP. He lost his only arm back in 2007 when a truck driver accidentally backed into the statue. The owner put his arm in a storage room, where it still currently remains and will be reinstalled in the future (hopefully).
After
30. You realize how many random stores/restaurants Elmsford actually has.
From Marieme's hair braiding to Bhavik, Rinis, Raasa, Gothic Cabinet Craft, Aqua Leisure Pool & Spa, J R Florist, An's Seafood, Goodwill, Marinelli's, Rita's, Crown Fried Chicken, Westchester Furniture and Mattresses, Ichi Riki, Oasis, Mr. Bubbles, Elmsford Beer & Soda, Wendy's, Azteca Paradise to Elmsford Raceway. Oh, and we can't forget Romantic Depot!
Even though Elmsford is a small village, I'm still so happy that I grew up here. We're in between so many cities and have the option to choose from going to the White Plains train station, Tarrytown train station, or Hartsdale train station when we want to make a trip to Manhattan. The malls are just a 10 minute drive and there are so many delicious restaurants nearby. I grew up with the same neighbors and seeing the same faces in my town. It's never awkward when I haven't seen someone in years and saying "Hi" to them since we've all seen each other grow up. Having my best friend just down the block from me has been so convenient and made our friendship memorable. Seeing people walk around every neighborhood happy walking with a friend, partner, or even their dog puts a smile on my face. I love the atmosphere here in Elmsford and I wouldn't have wanted to live the past 15 years of my life any other way.