The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Merchant Profiles

Simply Gorgeous – The Newest in Fashion!

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l3coutureProducts:  L3 Couture in Briarcliff Manor offers the newest styles in Women’s Fashion and Accessories. Brands carried include: Plenty by Tracy Reese, Joie, C & C California, Sugarlips, Free People, Blank Denim, Chaser, Olive and Oak, Sanctuary, Patterson J. Kincaid

Background: Fashion was always an interest for Michelle from the time she can remember. She pursued her passion by majoring in Fashion Merchandising in college. She worked as an intern and then in a permanent position at Michael Kors, as well as an assistant stylist on many major photo shoots. The experience she gained while there paved the way for her to own her own business. That was the start of L3 Couture…and she has enjoyed every minute while sharing her love of fashion with her customers.

Greatest Strengths:  We are happy to work with clients to find a style that works best for them. Whether a professional or a casual look is desired, we are here to help you update your wardrobe for a fresh new look. We attend the latest shows to bring you the hottest styles for your convenience.

Proudest Moment: It is very rewarding when a husband, child or friend of one of my customers comes in to pick out a special gift and I hear back that they loved the clothes or accessories. It is why we are here, to serve our clients…to make them happy! We want to be your one stop shopping destination and I look forward to working with you whether you drop in or by appointment…we are here for all your personal shopping needs.

Customer Service Stories: When L3 clients come back and mention their event or special trip was a success due to how wonderful they looked and felt. L3 enjoys working with customers to create a look that brings out their best! L3 also has volunteered planning and implementing late night shopping in Briarcliff Manor. Held the first Thursday of the month from May thru September, it is a fun-filled family destination where one can discover all that Briarcliff Manor has to offer.

Special Plans:  For the late winter and spring: We are always on the lookout for new fashion finds. We are happy to announce we will be carrying Splendid by early spring. We are constantly updating our accessory lines and will have some fun new items coming soon. Check out our new lines and see what else we have to offer at L3 Couture.

L3 Couture
PROPRIETOR: Michelle Stangarone
IN BUSINESS SINCE: August 2010
www.L3couture.com

Temple Beth El

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Temple Beth El’s mission is to inspire our congregants’ Jewish engagement and to ensure a vibrant Jewish future by nurturing the next generation. We share a commitment to Reform Judaism and furthering individual and communal spiritual growth, while recognizing a range of personal philosophies, practices and needs.

Temple Beth El constantly renews itself by embracing these eternal values:

·Worship, Avodah

At home and in our synagogue, worship and prayer offer connection to God. Jewish ritual, a source of spiritual uplift for individuals and for the congregation as a whole, sanctifies life’s joys and comforts us during life’s sorrows.

·Torah Study, Talmud Torah

Torah is the foundation of our tradition, and its teachings provide content and context for all that we do as individuals and as a congregation. Through study of our sacred texts, we discover how to fashion lives of Jewish meaning in an ever-changing world. We value formal and informal lifelong learning, at home and in our synagogue.

·Social Justice, Tzedek

Our congregation pursues social justice, striving toward tikkun olam, repair of the world, through deeds of righteousness and loving-kindness. We provide opportunities for our members to act on our Jewish values, inspiring engagement in social action and social advocacy.

·Community, Kehilah

We strive always to be a warm, welcoming, inclusive and responsive community, offering comfort, joy, friendship and support to our members. Equally important is our strong commitment to the larger community, both Jewish and non-Jewish, locally, nationally, around the world, and in Israel, linked to us through history and faith.

Temple Beth El welcomes all in the community to attend services, programs and events throughout the year.  Family oriented Tot Shabbat and family Shabbat worship services are held on the first Friday of every month.  Adult programming that ranges from seminars featuring prominent figures in the Jewish spiritual, intellectual and political arenas to regularly scheduled simulcast 92nd Street Y lectures. Plus mah jong, yoga, cooking, parenting discussions and other programs that build connections and community.

Special Plans for this spring include Mitzvah Day (a day of giving) and a Women’s Seder.

Enrollment in our nursery school, Beginning Years, is now open for the 2013-2014 year.

Beth El Babies, a mommy & me program, has open enrollment now for the winter & spring.

For more information please visit our website: www.bethelnw.org

Inside Chappaqua’s Fourth Annual Merchant Profiles

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Beascakes Bakery: Sweeter Than Honey

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PRODUCTS & SERVICES: Five years ago, Julie came from Ohio to New York to attend The French Culinary School. After graduating, she worked for the famous chocolatier Jacques Torres. “Next, I browsed ads for my own bakery, found Beascakes, and realized I would not be returning to Ohio anytime soon!” Last year, Beascakes moved to a bigger location that allows Julie to take on larger projects and offer new products. The bakery prepares custom cakes, cupcakes, and cook- ies for any occasion; morning pastries, coffee cakes, fresh doughnuts every morning, daily soups, bagels, cookies, espresso, smoothies and frozen yogurt.

GREATEST STRENGTHS: Fearlessness in the face of challenge! “We make many custom one-of-a-kind cakes and cookies. Nothing pleases us more than to see your ideas come to life.” Assorted treats–chocolate chip cookies, scones, coffee cakes and pies–are available daily in the shop’s “Take & Bake” freezer.

Beascakes Bakery
PROPRIETOR:
Julie Dickens
IN BUSINESS SINCE: 2004
www.beascakes.com

Eye Gallery: Cool Shades, Funky Frames and Great Service at a Manhattan Caliber Shop

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On a balmy January afternoon, post holiday season, Eye Gallery was bustling with customers, both residents and out of towners, checking out the latest styles in eyeglasses and sunglasses at this spacious and gracious South Greeley Avenue shop. There were also those simply dropping in to schedule an eye exam or contact fitting appointment with its owner, Chris Gentile, a working optometrist for almost 15 years.

Meanwhile, manager Celine Lewitt was engaging a vendor offering selections of designer eyeglass and sunglass wear to add to an ever growing inventory of fashionable selections for the discerning customer.

“Eyeglasses and sunglasses have emerged as perhaps the most important accessory in your wardrobe, “ notes Chris. “For awhile now, they’ve been about far more than helping you see better or protecting your eyes. Your face is the first thing people look at and it can’t hurt to be armed with the right fashion. The designers know that and are always coming up with interesting new frames for an interesting new look.”

Of late, larger eyeglasses with thicker, heavier plastic frames–to achieve a so called “nerd chic” look–are all the rage and Chris points to various fun, funky and stylish “big frame” selections by Oliver Peoples, Chanel and Tom Ford. “They are quite eye catching,” says Celine. “This larger look is a definite trend.” Eye Gallery also carries Salt, Barton Perreira, Robert Marc, Dita, Gold & Wood, among other high end brands. In the sunglass arena, Chris points out that aviator styles have retained their popularity. “They retain a classic look and the polarized lenses offer great protection.” 

The goal for awhile has been to bring a Manhattan style, high end optical shop to town. In its very first year in business, Eye Gallery won Best of Westchester. In the spring, Chris will be attending Vision Expo East, a major trade show at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. “I’ll be working with great vendors to discover and acquire the newest looks for the spring, summer and beyond. We always want to be the go to place for finding the latest and most fashion forward styles,” states Chris.

But he emphasizes that above all it’s the friendly atmosphere at Eye Gallery that has produced a loyal and steadily growing clientele. “While our offerings are competitive with any city shop, there is still a small town feel here. In addition, everyone knows everyone. We are on a first name basis with our customers.”

Chris tells the story of regularly going above and beyond to serve customers in a crisis, one time overnighting a prescription pair of shades to a customer whose own pair was lost during a ski trip in Colorado.

Chris also takes pride in his work with the youngest clientele, fitting them for their first frames or patiently teaching them how to wear their contact lenses and take proper care of them.

“Ultimately,” says Chris, “We want to and plan to be here a very long time. We are hoping the downtown will continue to evolve, so that it’s a vibrant place for our customers here in town but also draws people in from other towns.”

Eye Gallery
PROPRIETOR: Dr. Chris Gentile
IN BUSINESS SINCE: 2007
eyegalleryny.com