The small village of Croton-on-Hudson, located just 40 minutes north of New York City, is the home of many small businesses that the residents know very well. Those of us who were put through the school district here, typically stayed with the same kids from Kindergarten all the way through high school graduation. There is a strong connection between the people in this community and it branches into our local family run businesses. While these shops are staples of the community, looking deeper into their roots gives a little bit more to the community as well. I decided to speak to the owners of a few of our shops and learn a little bit more about them.

The Black Cow Coffee Company

Owner: Michael Grant

Opening Date: 1995 (now with 3 locations)

Location and Contact Information:

4 Old Post Rd. South, Croton NY 10520

7 Wheeler Avenue, Pleasantville NY 10570

914-271-7544 (Croton)
914-495-3727 (Pleasantville)
914-218-7684 (cell)
blackcow@bestweb.net
www.blackcow.com

Products and Services offered:

We are a roaster/retailer/coffee house/community gathering place/sanctuary

In Store Specialties:

All coffee and espresso based drinks to go or stay. Large selection of baked goods delivered daily. No prepared food.

Community Involvement:

Used to do live events regularly, music, poetry, lectures etc. Looking to re-up all that and more in the fall.

Why do you run the shop? What are the most rewarding moments?

“The Black Cow is the community hub of the village. Coffee is king and people use it every day so you’re always bumping into someone you know. Very laid back atmosphere, comfortable seating perfect place to watch the world go by. Seeing people every day you really get to know them. I have hundreds of really good friends that I get to see everyday. I’ve seen so many kids go from the womb to college growing up in the Black Cow. Pretty wonderful.”

Bagels on Hudson

Owners: Evan and Debbie Liaskos

Opening Date: 1990. I (Evan) took over in 2007 with my wife, Debbie.

Location and Contact Information:

171 south Riverside Ave

Croton-on-Hudson

Croton Commons Shopping Center

Bagel store hours

Monday-Friday 6 am to 4 pm

Saturday 7 am to 4 pm

Sunday 7-3 pm

914-271-5412

Products and Services Offered:

We sell old world style boiled bagels, egg sandwiches, freshly baked muffins, a huge drink selection, as well as we have a full deli exclusively featuring Boar's Head meats and cheeses.

In Store Specials:

In 2014 we added to our product selection by opening an ice cream shop inside of bagels on Hudson, which is called the Croton Creamery. It is open seasonally every day from late spring to early fall. We feature Gifford's brand hand dipped ice cream and a premium soft serve ice cream as well as shakes, sundaes, and ice cream pizza. In February of 2016, we expanded our offerings again by opening Hot Dippity Donuts inside the same store also. We serve fresh, hot donuts that are made to order and recently won the Best of Westchester award for Best New Donut Shop.

Involvement in the Community:

As for community events, we often donate our products to local events and participate in other events with our mobile ice cream unit. However, our favorite community involvement is when we give tours to young groups of kids and show them how bagels and donuts are made and let them get a chance to be a part of the process.

Why do you run the shop? What are the most rewarding moments?

The best part of being in the food business serving products customers love is when the tell us how we have their favorite Bagel, cookie, muffin, ice cream, donut, etc. and how they travel all over and still return to us to get their favorite.

Baked By Susan

Owner: Susan O'Keefe

Opening Date: November 2010

Location and Contact Information:

163 Grand Street

Croton-on-Hudson

914-862-0874

Products and Services Offered:

We make everything from scratch using all natural ingredients and whole fruit in season. Our pies made with all-butter pie crust just won us the Best of Westchester winner for best pie 2016. We make everything in small batches. We offer pies, cakes, cookies, platters, breakfast goodies - scones, muffins, cinnamon buns. We also make wedding cakes!

In Store Specials:

Thanksgiving pies are our biggest fall dessert. We offer favorite selections such as apple, apple crumb, pecan, pumpkin as well as fruit crostatas and tarts. We also have gingerbread houses for Christmas and cookie platters. We make things for Yom Kippur, Rosh Hashanah and Channukah as well.

Involvement in the Community:

We always participate in any way we can. We are one of the sponsors of the annual Run Against Hunger event in Croton every fall. We donate to all the schools for many of their events. We also donate baked goods to the local food bank

Why do you run the shop? What are the most rewarding moments?

I opened the shop because I have such a love of baking and of baked goods. I wanted to stay in Croton because it is where I raised my family and I love the community. It is such a rewarding experience to see our business grow from just me baking to now having over 14 employees helping me get our products out the door!

Just Imagine U

Owner: Maria True

Opening Dates: The salon was opened in 1991, but this (August) is the first month it is owned by Maria True. She has only bought the salon days ago, but she has worked here since it opened.

Location and Contact Information:

2005 Old Albany Post Road

Croton On Hudson, New York 10520

914-271-6100

Tuesday through Friday 9-6

Thursday being the late night until 8:30 pm.

Open Fridays from 8-5.

justimagineusalon@gmail.com

justimagineu.com

Products and Services Offered:

Just Imagine U is a full service Aveda Concept Salon offering hair cuts, color, make-up, waxing, etc...

In Store Specials:

Our holiday specials will be announced in October with some exciting product offerings as well as services. As mentioned, ownership recently changed so this holiday season is going to be a special one for the staff at Just Imagine U. More exciting news to come, check out our website for more information soon.

Involvement in the Community:

Aveda is all about the environment. Earth Day and Month is a special time for us as we like to give back to the planet. The staff is meeting during the month of August to define how we can be good leaders as it relates to the environment, the fight against cancer, and the cure for diabetes.

Why do you run the shop? What are the most rewarding moments?

Creating an environment where the guest can leave the stress of their daily lives to feel pampered and care about themselves for just a second is the goal of the entire staff. The staff loves to use their skill set for that moment in time when a client can just get lost in themselves and relax, it's what makes each and every one of the staff feel that they have connected to the guest. It's all done in an environmentally friendly way. The guest will leave feeling better about themselves and taking stock in how good they look and feel. All product uses the most optimal products in the beauty business that care for the environment and the guest.

3rd Universe

Owner: Bryan Deyo

Opening Date: 1994

Location and Contact Information:

35 North Riverside Ave

Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

(914)827-3600

http://www.3rduniverse.com/

Products and Services Offered:

Retail comic books, computer services, and event venue

In Store Specials:

Always free food

Involvement in the Community:

He is a member of the Rotary Club, works closely with parents and children in the community, and participates in Summerfest as well as car shows

Why do you run the shop? What are the most rewarding moments?

He loves how the business has changed him and it has evolved into everything he enjoys doing.

Sunshine and Clover

Owner: Emily Prince

Opening Date: March 27th, 2013

Location and Contact Information:

122 Grand Street

Croton-on-Hudson, NY 10520

(914)862-0755

sunshineandclovercroton@gmail.com

sunshineandclover.com

Products and Services Offered:

Flowers and gifts that are both colorful, happy, and useful for all occasions and events

In Store Specials:

We change our merchandise all the time and are constantly bringing in new products

Involvement in the Community:

Throughout the year we participate in many fundraisers for all types of local organizations. We also offer gifts, art, and jewelry from several local designers.

Why run the shop? What are the most rewarding moments?

I run the shop because it makes me happy and allows me to be creative and provide for my family. My hobbies are decorating, gardening, shopping for cute things, and flower arraigning-so what better way to combine than run a shop. I also want my village where I live to have great stores and be a nice place as Sunshine and Clover benefits the community. I find rewarding and important moments every day when our customers tell us how much they love my shop.