NEW PALTZ – As the sun set on the last Friday in June, the Water Street Market in New Paltz came alive with activity. The air was filled with a captivating guitar riff, enticing visitors to explore the shops and bars, relax with a drink, and embrace the weekend.
Melanie Cronin, adorned in a straw hat and a striped sundress, stood outside the gallery she runs with her artist husband, Ryan. She wore a joyful smile as she observed people congregating over glasses of wine and kombucha. “We wanted to revive the sense of community after the COVID-19 pandemic,” she explained. “So, we joined forces to create something special.”
That something is known as “Last Fridays”, a monthly event that takes place on the final Friday of every month from 5 p.m. till late. During Last Fridays, retailers at Water Street Market transform the quaint shopping village into a bustling gathering. Cronin proudly shared, “On Memorial Day weekend, we had around 150 people here. It was so crowded that moving around became a challenge, and we didn’t wrap up until 3 a.m.!”
Last Fridays is part of a greater initiative to establish Water Street Market as a cultural hub post-COVID. The brainchild of Greg Gagne, owner of The Grazery food and drink emporium across from Cronin’s gallery, the idea took shape this year. Gagne had always dreamed of hosting a European-style night market at Water Street, and he believed the timing was ideal. In March, he successfully convinced a significant number of retailers to launch Last Fridays, featuring live music, local spirit tastings, and food pop-ups. Gagne personally crafted a range of “iconic” sandwiches, including muffuletta and porchetta, from his own kitchen.
Gagne has been pleasantly surprised by the turnout so far, especially considering that the event has been primarily promoted through word-of-mouth and social media. He shared, “People are thrilled to have something to do, and they feel safe here. Families can bring their children, reconnect with their neighbors, and every month we see new faces as more people move to the area.”
In July, from the 20th to the 23rd, the DENIZEN Theatre at Water Street Market will host “Summer Shorts”, a short film festival showcasing up to 40 movies, including works by renowned artists such as Tony Award-winner Neil LaBute and Oscar-winner Alexander Dinelaris. Local filmmakers will also have the opportunity to showcase their own shorts, spotlighting the flourishing film industry in the Hudson Valley. JJ Kandel, the festival’s director, expressed his astonishment at the caliber of the short films produced by local talents, stating, “Two of the movies are actually made by filmmakers from New Paltz itself.”
A festival badge is available for $50, granting VIP access to all the films, a complimentary merchandise bundle, and exclusive food and drink deals. Kandel revealed that more than a quarter of the festival badges have already been sold, adding, “The residents of New Paltz are genuinely excited about short films.”
Following the festival, the DENIZEN Theatre plans to expand its offerings with various types of programming, starting with independent films. Harry Lipstein, the founder and producing artistic director of the theater, mentioned that the independent movies will be carefully curated to suit the community’s preferences. These films could include classic favorites or newer releases like “Cinema Paradiso,” “The Lobster,” and “Parasite.”
Lipstein, who transformed the Water Street Market from an old lumber yard into the thriving space it is today, expressed his delight at seeing the market flourish after almost a quarter-century. He shared, “The market was always intended to be the heart of the village of New Paltz, a place where the community can gather.” To foster that sense of community, Lipstein commissioned artist Craig Shankles to create a sculpture garden that takes visitors on a captivating journey through the market. The garden features benches and striking totems that evoke a feeling of “organic, dynamic, and uplifting.” Lipstein referred to Shankles’ stone and steel sculptures, displayed in the backyard of his home on Huguenot Street, as a miniature version of the renowned Storm King Art Center.
Looking forward to the Last Friday in July, Gagne has already planned wine and cider tastings from Rose Hill in Red Hook and Accordion Wines in Accord. DJ Rodney Hazard will be present, spinning beats to transform the entire market into what Gagne envisions as “a dance party on the rail trail.” Gagne added, “We adore food, drinks, culture, and people.” He hopes that one day, the market will resemble a plaza in Italy, where older folks spend their days playing cards while the younger generation sip on Aperol. Gagne firmly believes that capturing that same ambiance would be perfect for Water Street Market.
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