The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Armonk Chamber of Commerce.

Meet the Chamber’s Stacy Wilder

by

ian_q-and-a-staceyPlease tell us about yourself. How long have you lived in Armonk?

STACY: I moved to Armonk in 1994 with my husband, Allen Blum, and our two young children, Jeremy (now 26) and David (now 23).

When did you decide to get involved with the Chamber? What made you want to become involved?

STACY: I’ve always been involved in the community, first as a volunteer at the schools, then as a board member and president of the Windmill Club, as a co-chair of the Armonk Outdoor Art Show and, most recently, as the Director of Communications for the Armonk Chamber of Commerce.

I believe in the importance of giving back to the community. In order for a community to thrive, residents need to pitch in and lend a hand.  It’s one thing to complain and keep your fingers crossed, but quite another to do something meaningful to effect change. Plus, the bonus has been getting to know the wonderful people in our town who make good things happen.

How has the Chamber evolved? How do you connect the Chamber to the wider community?

STACY: In the 22 years that I have lived here, Armonk has become a very different place. What was once a tiny stretch along Main Street has become a thriving downtown with a perfect central meeting space at Armonk Square. As the town evolved and the business scene grew, it became apparent that the Chamber of Commerce had to up its game.The current board, with Neal Schwartz as its president, has really stepped up communications between members and the surrounding community. Social media has been a great way to keep everyone, both residents and businesses, informed. Plus, Armonk Connect, our annual membership directory that gets mailed to over 8,000 households, provides the community with valuable local information.

Our newly revised website (armonkchamberofcommerce.com) gives easy access to our membership directory, activities and events. Members are also given their own URL web page, which we encourage them to utilize in branding their local presence.

Chamber membership has grown to over 130 members, who either have businesses here or who do business here. Monthly meetings provide a way for members to network and brainstorm about how to connect to the community. One way we do this is through a number of Chamber-sponsored events. Our Citizen of the Year dinner and golf outing in May honors a member of the Armonk community who embodies a long-time passion for making a difference in our town. It brings together business owners, town government, residents and their friends. During the summer months we sponsor First Thursdays, with entertainment and activities downtown. Merchant promotions and specials are geared towards bringing people into town to listen to music, stroll through local shops and eat at one of our many participating restaurants. In the fall, we host the Cider and Donut Festival together with Jamie’s 5K Run for Love in Wampus Brook Park. This year, for the first time, the Festival included the Byram Hills Pre-School Association carnival, which made it a great day for people of all ages. This festive event brings together friends and families from near and far, and gives Chamber members a chance to sponsor and provide fun activities. All of these events give local residents and attendees a chance to interact with our member businesses.

What are the Chamber’s goals, both short and long term?

STACY: We are always looking for ways to help our local businesses succeed. Short term, we aim to increase each businesses visibility through networking, events and web awareness. We also try to educate the community about the value of shopping local whenever possible. Our long-term goals have even greater payback. We have a vested interest in creating memories for our town’s patrons. Happy memories will keep people coming back for more, and that’s a winning scenario for everyone.

Chalk Art Dazzles during Chamber’s ‘First Thursday’ Contest

by

“Two bands added to the festive vibe: a high school band ‘Gilbert’ captivated the audience for the first hour and a half. Next up was ‘Powderfinger” which kept the audience singing along to their familiar rock tunes.” Robby Morris, Armonk Chamber of Commerce

Armonk, May 5– Despite the raw weather, Byram Hills students showed their talent and grit at a first chalk art competition in town, just one of many festivities that helped kick off First Thursday in downtown Armonk.

Stated Morris: “The Chalk Art Contest, fueled by dedicated high school artists, turned out some amazing works that we were able to preserve and display for all those who didn’t venture out to see the creation process. The five pieces, 4’x4′ squares, are being displayed on Main Street!”

The students’ work took place in Armonk Square. The pictures will be decorating the windows at Framings, Douglas Elliman, and Hickory and Tweed into next week.

“A big WOW to a talented group of Byram Hills High School who braved the cold and wind to create some fabulous chalk art,” said Stacy Wilder, director of communications for the Chamber.

1st place: Andrea Cornelius
1st place: Andrea Cornelius

First, second and third place winners are displayed in Framings’ windows. There are two fourth place winners: one is in the window at Douglas Elliman, and another one is at Hickory and Tweed. “Congrats to the artists, and thank you to the merchants!”

2nd place: Olivia Carlucci
2nd place: Olivia Carlucci
3rd place team: Caroline Weiss, Stephanie Spruck, Brianna Mcartle
3rd place team: Caroline Weiss, Stephanie Spruck, Brianna Mcartle

4th place: Sofia Nastri
4th place: Sofia Nastri

4th place: Teresa Vataj
4th place: Teresa Vataj

Wilder said that “First Thursday,” sponsored by the Armonk Chamber of Commerce, has brought a renewed energy and lots of excitement to downtown Armonk. “Residents and visitors get to enjoy great music and art, partake in wine tastings, children’s activities, food specials and sales offered around town,” she said. “It’s a win-win for everyone!”

The retail shops and restaurants all opened their doors with specials to entice the crowds to stay for awhile and enjoy what they have to offer. Downtown really comes alive as more and more people find their way to the excitement of Armonk’s First Thursdays. The next date is June 9th

For regular updates to plans for First Thursday go to armonkchamberofcommerce.com

The Rock and Roll band, Powderfinger, in Armonk Square
The Rock and Roll band, Powderfinger, in Armonk Square

A raffle offering in the Square from Hickory and Tweed
A raffle offering in the Square from Hickory and Tweed
first thursday.mom

At Pazzo’s: A Generous Holiday Feast for Armonk Chamber

by

Photos by Sam Morell

(L-R): Jason Rosensweig, Stacy Wilder, Michael Levy, Neal Schwartz, Chris Carthy and Robby Morris
(L-R): Jason Rosensweig, Stacy Wilder, Michael Levy, Neal Schwartz, Chris Carthy and Robby Morris

The wine was flowing and platter after platter of delicious Tuscan fare was graciously served to Armonk Chamber of Commerce members, all gathered together to warmly celebrate a year of networking and wonderful programming on behalf of the merchants and residents of North Castle. Members toasted Neal Schwartz, head of the Chamber, for his leadership, and also Pazzo’s owner Pete Monteleone for hosting the event, which drew several dozen (very happy!) participants.

(L-R): Steve D'Angelo, Stacy Wilder and Lisa Pincus Harnroff
(L-R): Steve D’Angelo, Stacy Wilder and Lisa Pincus Harnroff
Chris Carthy with wife Laura (in red) and with Barbara Reiter
Chris Carthy with wife Laura (in red) and with Barbara Reiter

 

Armonk Chamber of Commerce Honors 
“A Pillar in the Community”

by

IMG_3893Article and Photo by Matt Smith

Friends, family, and Chamber members gathered at the Whippoorwill Club in Armonk, NY on the evening of May 12 to celebrate longtime Armonk resident Sam Morell, and his achievement of being named 2015 Citizen of the Year by the Armonk Chamber of Commerce.

The award is bestowed – as it has been twice before, first to Dr. Evan Powderly of Crittenden Middle School in 2013, and second, last October, to Hickory & Tweed proprietor Skip Beitzel – to an individual who has made a significant long-term contribution to the North Castle/Armonk community. A “natural choice” for the honor, Mr. Morell more than fit the bill.

“He’s been a real pillar of the community,” says Jason Rosenzweig, a member of the Chamber and coordinator of the evening. “He has been instrumental not only in the town’s cultural advancement, but the growth of the business community as well. He’s so supportive of everyone.”

But why shouldn’t he be? asks the grateful Morell himself. “After all,” he theorizes, “the town we live in is simply an extension of our house and there are many ways one can add value to make this very large house appealing.” To that end, he states, with a smile, “I strongly believe in patronizing our [local] services.”

His seven-year involvement in the Chamber of Commerce has certainly impacted how he carries out that belief. “The more you learn about fellow members the more you develop the kind of relationship and trust to transact with them,” he explains. “I now use many chamber members for my personal and business matters.” These members include Steve D’Angelo, from Stephen D’Angelo CPA PC, as his accountant; Robbi Morris, from The Morris Group, as his health care insurance provider; the aforementioned Jason Rosenzweig, from Castle Cabs, as his car service provider; and Julie Dickens, from Beascakes Bakery, from whom he buys all his holiday cookies. Adds Morell, “The joy for me is developing new and interesting personal friends from all walks of life, as well as knowing that I can be of assistance to their goals.”

His support of the community doesn’t end there. He found a way to combine his overwhelming love for the town of Armonk with his undying love of the performing arts, and began his own not-for-profit company, the Small Town Theatre Company, in 2008. 
Co-founded with Katonah resident Donna Garr, the organization produces plays, summer concerts, theatre festivals, and film festivals in Armonk and Katonah.

Morell also says he leverages his enjoyment of photography and videography to support other local organizations, such as the North Castle 
Historical Society, the North Castle Communications Committee, and other Westchester-based not-for-profits.

Preceding the dinner was an afternoon-long golf outing, attended by Morell, Rosenzweig, and a mix of Chamber members, guests of Chamber members, and Morell’s personal friends, that was anything but a bogey. “We enjoyed it very much,” comments the honoree. And what of his score? 
“It was touch-and-go at first, but I broke even,” he says with a laugh.

To discourage any self-doubt among each players’ golf abilities, the outing was run as a scramble; each player hit their own shot from the tee, but everyone played from the spot of the best shot. In the end, “it worked out for everyone,” says Rosenzweig. “It was a lot of fun.”

And as for the recognition itself? “I’m overwhelmed and honored,” Morell says quite simply. “It’s a real tribute.” Humble as ever, Morell added: “Everyone in this town does such tremendous work, and we should recognize that.”

The entire celebration was presented by the Armonk Chamber of Commerce. The evening’s cocktail hour, which followed the golf outing and preceded the dinner, was sponsored by Breezemont Day Camp and the Castle Cab Corps. Throughout the evening, volunteers sold tickets for a raffle, a new addition to this year’s festivities; all prizes and rewards were complete donations from local Armonk businesses, including Certa Pro Painters, Eye Designs of Armonk, Susan Blake, and Peachwave Frozen Yogurt. For more information on the chamber, visit www.armonkchamberofcommerce.org.

Matt Smith, a graduate of Skidmore College, is a regular contributor to The Inside Press, Inc.

Jason Rosenzweig Has Armonk’s Answer to UBER

by

Castle Cab Corp–yes, there’s an App for that!
Castle Cab Corp–yes, there’s an App for that!

by Deborah Notis

Jason Rosenzweig, owner of Castle Cabs, grew up on Long Island and worked in his family’s New York City-based taxicab business since he was a young child. So when he moved to Armonk ten years ago, his parents asked why he wanted to move “upstate.”

For Rosenzweig, the answer was simple. He wanted his family to live in a community that had a neighborhood feel, a town in which you could walk into any store and see a friendly and familiar face. For his family, Armonk is the perfect tight-knit, nurturing, small town community in which he and his wife can happily raise their two daughters. His daughters, now 11 and 13 years old, attend Byram Hills schools and spend their non-school hours dancing and playing the occasional game of golf with their father.

But there was one thing that Rosenzweig felt Armonk was missing. “This town has grown tremendously since we moved here. With the restaurant scene in Armonk becoming more vibrant, and the town growing and becoming a destination for Westchester residents, I saw a need for a safe, convenient, and reliable mode of transportation in our area,” states Rosenzweig. So he leveraged his years of experience in his family’s business to create Castle Cabs, North Castle’s answer to UBER.

Rosenzweig created an app that lets customers reserve a cab for a future appointment or call a cab for an immediate pickup. Customers create an account with Castle Cabs, and they can securely pay for their ride and track the ride via the app. Rosenzweig priced rides competitively, giving a flat rate for certain, more popular destinations like the North White Plains train station and Westchester County Airport. All rides include tax and tip in the price of the trip.

Launched in October 2014, Castle Cabs is Armonk’s answer to limo service in a taxicab package. The drivers, who are all TLC licensed, fingerprinted, and drug-tested, are required to wear khaki pants, a blue hat, and a blue shirt with a Castle Cabs logo. Rosenzweig employs 12 drivers, each of whom drives one of his new hybrid four-seater vehicles or new seven-seater minivans.

Jason Rosenzweig
Jason Rosenzweig

“Castle Cabs provides our town 
with the next level of service. We go the extra mile for our customers. 
They are part of our family,” according to Rosenzweig. He proudly states that his drivers don’t just leave you at the door; they make sure you safely and happily reach your destination. Even if it means getting out of the car to walk a senior into a doctor’s appointment or waiting until a group of kids give the driver a “thumbs up,” telling him that he can leave them at the movie theater. On any given day, Castle Cabs accommodates 65 to 80 trips, servicing many residents who have become regular customers. These trips include taking seniors to appointments, commuters to local train stations, couples to and from dinners, travelers to 
the airports, and children to afterschool activities, Bar Mitzvahs, and 
the movies.

Rosenzweig says that residents feel safe putting children in his cars because so many of them know him from town. To add to their security, the Castle Cab app enables people to track the rides. When it comes to the kids, Rosenzweig tries to send the same driver to the same family all the time, giving families an added level of comfort. “I have kids, so I understand. My daughters and their friends use the cabs all the time. I want to feel secure when children are in a car.”

As his business flourishes, Rosenzweig is becoming involved in the Armonk Chamber of Commerce. The community-based organization enabled him to get to know other local business owners and to become further entrenched in Armonk’s thriving business district. This year, he co-chaired the Chamber’s May 12th Citizen of the Year golf event honoring Sam Morell, the co-founder of Armonk’s Smalltown Theater.

Rosenzweig is pleasantly surprised by the positive response that he’s received from his community. “I knew I was going to put us out there, but I didn’t know where this would take us. Now I see that North Castle residents really trust us.” He plans to leverage that trust to promote his “Get Home Safely” program, suggesting that his neighbors should leave their keys at home, enjoy their night out, and rely on Castle Cabs to get them to and from their destinations safely.

In the future, Rosenzweig hopes to earn the trust of residents in nearby towns. Long-term, he is contemplating potential partnerships with other local taxicab companies as he expands to service Armonk’s neighboring towns. Right now, Rosenzweig is happy to be serving the North Castle community. It looks like Rosenzweig made the right decision when he decided to move “upstate” to Armonk.

Deborah Notis, a writer and co-owner of gamechanger, LLC, is looking forward to Castle Cabs expanding to Pleasantville to help transport her four boys to their sporting events.