The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Evan Trainor

About Evan Trainor

Evan Trainor is a graphic designer, photographer, and freelance journalist who was raised in Armonk, NY. A graduate of Northeastern University, he now lives in Greenwich, CT with his fiancé and adorable dog, Mia.

Pleasant Grooming: Where Every Dog is Family

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As man’s best friend, dogs have a special place in our hearts and always will. They’re not just pets, but cherished family members. There isn’t much in the world that we won’t do for our canine companions, and nobody understands that better than Tyler Zuckerman and his team at Pleasant Grooming. For nearly thirty years, they have been the local go-to resource for any/all dog-care needs including training, grooming, bathing, daycare and overnight kenneling. Through genuine care and attention to detail, they’ve also become a beloved and trustworthy pillar of the community.

I recently had the opportunity to speak with Zuckerman about some of his values and philosophies when it comes to dog care and also the history of Pleasant Grooming. His father originally started the business back in 1997 and brought Tyler in as much as possible for assistance. By 2017, the duo had successfully transitioned to their current, larger space in Armonk and Tyler had taken over as manager/CEO. He claims that throughout that time he’s watched the business grow and evolve to the point where, “The number of dogs coming into the old place versus the new place has to be at least 5 to 6 times the amount.” While this type of growth is always impressive, it’s not necessarily a surprise in this case.

The facilities are top of the line with high-end bedding and equipment, kept extremely clean, attentively supervised 24/7, and temperature controlled. It’s very clear from speaking to Zuckerman and seeing the space in person that their top priority is to keep all of the dogs as happy and comfortable as possible – he even requires that dogs come in and experience the daycare facilities at least three times before any overnight stays. It’s abundantly clear that this level of care and attention to detail has helped this business thrive.

Dog training provides essential communication and strengthens the bond between a dog and their owner. It also prevents behavioral problems and makes for a safer environment and happier companion. Pleasant Grooming has a comprehensive obedience training program designed to build a strong foundation of discipline, socialization, and confidence. They tailor each program to meet the specific needs of each dog.

When asked about specific approaches to training, Zuckerman quickly emphasized the value of repetition and consistency, especially when it comes to younger puppies. “A lot of people think that they’re getting training done when someone comes to their house once a week and that’s not really addressing the issue,” he explained, “They’re more training the owner on how to train the dog.” One focused session per week is not enough to establish a foundation of desired behaviors, and definitely not enough to eliminate undesired ones.

Zuckerman believes that in addition to constant reinforcement, that socialization is also extremely valuable for young dogs. He added, “It’s important that dogs are around other dogs and day care is a phenomenal place for that, just like for kids – exposure is huge.”

Between the good weather and fewer distractions, summer into fall can be the perfect time for long playdates and outdoor training. As kids head back to school and families settle into a more structured routine it’s easier to carve out consistent training time – key for progress.

Pleasant Grooming of Armonk
info@pleasantgrooming.com
914 273-3939

Purple Plains Prospers

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Starting a business is never an easy task – but specializing in what was for the majority of its existence considered a dangerous, schedule 1 controlled substance, can be a uniquely overwhelming and difficult process.

Similar to the prohibition of alcohol in the 20s, marijuana use was not only highly illegal in the United States but also thought to be addictive, harmful and void of any medical potential whatsoever. Whereas alcohol made its way back into American supermarkets after only 13 years, it took the cannabis industry decades to establish any legitimate foundation and only became recreationally available in some states as recently as 2021.

Today, despite a seemingly endless range of complications, it’s growing at incredible rates and shows no sign of slowing down as it continues to evolve and become more accessible.

In Pound Ridge NY, Mark Buzzetto and Sophia Mortell are capitalizing on this widespread cultural trend with their new dispensary, Purple Plains. Getting this now thriving business off the ground was an incredible undertaking that started back in 2022 when the two co-founders first took a leap of faith and pivoted their careers into the unknown.

Mark had decades of experience in the cannabis industry pre-legalization and also co-owned a flower shop with his father where he took immense pride in the presentation and quality of his arrangements. Sophia, on the other hand, brought a high standard for customer service and experiential design from her time spent in the world of hospitality. Last week I had the pleasure of not just speaking with these local entrepreneurs but also visiting their beautiful and sophisticated storefront located just off Westchester Avenue.

The first thing I noticed when I walked in was a sense of elegance. Many classic depictions of marijuana users/sellers are far from flattering – often presented as dingy, unclean and unmotivated. Instead of bean bag chairs and empty pizza boxes though, Purple Plains manages to feel more like the cross between a high-end restaurant, car dealership and a museum all at once.

You might not expect as much from the outside with its charming façade, even I nearly drove past it, but everything on the interior looks sleek and brand new. The extremely knowledgeable and accommodating staff is there to help customers through the entire shopping process, answer questions, educating, and ultimately provide people with product suggestions specific to their unique needs and lifestyles.

Co-founder Mark Buzzetto added, “I like to think of it almost like pairing wine with different types of food – a nice dark red with a steak for example. I love having conversations with my customers to help understand what they’re looking for and then guide them in the right direction.”

With the dispensary not just finally up and running but becoming increasingly popular, this exciting team and their vibrant young business have nowhere to go but up. Attracting customers not just locally but from across Connecticut and the tri-state area, their prices are affordable, their products are elite, their staff is extremely accommodating and knowledgeable, and as a result, their success is as unsurprising as it is well earned.

“Our reviews are all five stars,” said Sophia, “so it seems people are overwhelmingly happy with the experience they have in the store which is amazing.” Here is a perfect example of hard work and determination paying off within our community and something else for the town of Pound Ridge to be proud of.

The Armonk Eagle Will Stand Tall Again

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It doesn’t take a resident of North Castle to recognize its largest and most iconic landmark – a roughly 12 by 40-foot metallic eagle. To this day, we still hear “turn right or turn left at the Eagle” as common directions for motorists driving on Route 22. This local legend of a monument was first constructed nearly fifty years ago to celebrate America’s bicentennial in 1976 and is finally receiving the structural reinforcement it needs and deserves.

Susan Shimer, former North Castle Town Judge, and former President of the North Castle Historical Society, who witnessed the original erection, stated, “It brought out people in a way I had never seen before and haven’t seen since. It symbolizes a togetherness, a common interest, and a sense of community.”

At the time, the statue was originally intended to be a temporary installation that would actually fly over Route 22 rather than sit next to it and was built using primarily wooden supports. The impermanence of such materials has provided opportunities for local volunteer contractors to bring construction to the next level.

“It’s fantastic,” commented North Castle Town Supervisor, Joseph Rende, “The energy and the enthusiasm they all share has been overwhelming.”

These teams will be using a combination of concrete, galvanized steel and a series of low-energy, LED lighting fixtures to create a new and improved viewing experience that will be as beautiful and impressive as it is sustainable and strong. Weather permitting, this project is expected to be completed within the following few months and ushered in with a firework-lit celebration in the planning stages for the fourth of July weekend. Having such a solidified role in this community’s identity, it’s no surprise that the Eagle and its preservation are a significant priority. According to Supervisor Rende, however, that should not be a concern again – at least not in our lifetime.