Ok, I admit it. As a Chappaquan, I’ve been a little envious of your new, cool and swanky Square* anchored by such a great Supermarket and hopping restaurants too. What a boon to the community! However, plenty of folks here wouldn’t change a hair on Chappaqua’s head, and that’s all easy to understand too. The two hamlets possess their own distinct charms–and for years what I’ve appreciated most is more the synergy between the towns, with residents in the “two Castles” happily enjoying and taking advantage of shops and services in both of our vibrant neighborhoods! Indeed, residents in our townships hardly live in a bubble and enjoy learning about opportunities near and far.
On that note, I’d like to say that I’m simply thrilled to be introducing a sister edition of The Inside Press, Inc., to Armonk “and beyond,” and hoping for the same long term relationship with many of the merchants in and around town that I’ve had the honor of enjoying as publisher and editor of Inside Chappaqua (IC).
A little about me…I started out my career as a journalist in daily newspapers and women’s magazines. Like many moms, I eventually searched for a family friendly approach to working while raising my kids. And long story short, the idea for a magazine for my hometown was born. With Chappaqua being home to the Clintons, of course, I’ve had the good fortune of covering their various activities in town…and sometimes very far out of town, too. In the summer of 2012, Hillary Clinton, then Secretary of State, graciously included me as a member of the press corps. to cover one of her missions. I flew with her, State Department staff and a group of journalists for 11 days throughout sub-Saharan Africa and Turkey after promising to bring international news home to her neighbors and friends. I can’t imagine hometown journalism getting much more exciting than that, and such unexpected adventures have made me perfectly happy to “work local!”
Inside Armonk (IA) magazine is a free publication, but as with Inside Chappaqua, I have always offered the opportunity for either voluntary subscriptions or gifts to anyone outside the closed circulation (see page eight). The business of print continues to present challenges in an internet age, so I do hope, if perhaps not yet, that you might consider a subscription (to IA, IC, or to both!) sometime down the road.
For now, just enjoy this first edition–and most importantly, convey your appreciation to the merchants who have thrown their support behind the magazine. Tell ‘em you saw it in Inside Armonk and continue to shop local! I’m also very proud and appreciative of the talented writers and photographers who rose to the occasion, and of Beth Besen, IA’s executive editor, who worked closely with them.
Before this year’s end, you can anticipate two more editions of IA, a back to school edition mailing toward the end of August and a winter/holiday edition mailing toward the end of November.
So here’s wishing you all a very happy and love filled Mother’s Day and Father’s Day–and joyful graduations, if those are happening. I’ve got two seniors myself at home, a son graduating high school and a daughter graduating college. As for me, I’ve graduated from one pub to two! Empty nest beckons, and I’m ready to use the “extra” time to serve two terrific Castle communities. See ya ‘round town.
Grace Bennett’s hair and makeup courtesy of the Richard Scott Salon and Day Spa in Mount Kisco.
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*The “action” downtown is hardly limited to the Square itself although it seems “merchant row” benefits from the excitement it generates! ROCKS and its signature jolie b. ray designs and other gorgeous pieces are just around the corner. So is the friendly staff and well stocked Armonk Wine and Spirits. And after 17 years of already serving the community, the Mazzotta brothers, Joe and Mark, opened the all new Amore Kitchen and Pizzeria. “To complement the contemporary appearance of downtown Armonk, and match its overall character,” said Joe, “we completely renovated an existing building that had been there since the 1950s and had seen a lot of restaurants come and go.”
La Mer Gourmet Seafood is a cherished neighborhood market offering delicious, fresh take home (or stop in to eat!) homecooking–now celebrating its 25th year in Armonk. Up Main Street, Eye Designs boasts a dazzling array of designer eyeglasses, shades, accessories and optometry services for the entire family; Beascakes offers mouthwatering baked goods and party cakes galore; Beginnings Bleus bustles with male and female customers drawn to its cool, contemporary styles; and the new Eiluj, with its quality makeup and luxurious bath items, is open for your cosmetic care and more. On Bedford Road, visit the new and fabulous Bewies Holistic Market where Amy Berman is wowing near and far with organic product lines and creative fresh juice drinks for anyone on the go or in need of a restful/healthful stopping point. Dinner not complete without vino? Pick up a bottle of your favorite red or white at Moderne Barn and Spirits next door and you will be good to go too.