The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Chappaqua Crossing

Empowering Westchester Residents to Better Health at the Innovative Center for Healthy Living

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Northern Westchester Hospital (NWH) believes that health care is about getting involved in health rather than just sickness. The hospital is supporting, coaching, and empowering Westchester residents to become partners in their care. From physical therapy to weight management to the new and innovative Center for Healthy Living, the NWH services offered at Chappaqua Crossing are designed to keep the people of Westchester healthy and out of the hospital, enjoying the activities they love.

Through the Center for Healthy Living, NWH offers the community free Healthcare Navigation services. A Healthcare Navigator can work with you to understand your health and wellness needs and can connect you with experts and services that can support you best. Some people are seeking physician referrals, others are looking for specific counseling or support, and others are in search of wellness classes. The Healthcare Navigator is available to help you in these situations and many more. To learn more, contact Lauren Selsky, Healthcare Navigator at 914-666-1955 or lselsky@northwell.edu.

Rehab services at NWH’s Chappaqua Crossing site span several specialties from physical, occupational and speech therapy to cardiac and pulmonary rehab. The goal: to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with impairments, disabilities or those recovering from an accident, illness or surgery. NWH also offers a concussion management program at Chappaqua Crossing that uses a multidisciplinary approach to effectively treat adolescents and adults who have sustained concussions. Whether the goal is to speed recovery, decrease pain or return to activities –or a combination of these goals–NWH rehab services provide patients with the education, support and motivation that they need to succeed. For more information, visit nwhrehab.org

Just next door is home to NWH’s innovative new Center for Weight Management which takes a clinical, evidence-based approach to weight management and helps you identify the core reasons you’re struggling with weight loss. The Center will help you overcome these obstacles and empower you to adopt lifelong healthy behaviors.

Northwell Health Physician Partners Surgical Services can also be found at NWH’s Chappaqua Crossing Campus, offering the community access to top-notch specialty surgery including, surgical weight loss, plastic surgery and Medi-Spa services, and Vein Center.

NWH’s clinical excellence, comprehensive services and compassionate care has earned the trust of patients, their families and referring physicians. To learn more about these services and many more, visit nwhc.net.

News courtesy of Northern Westchester Hospital

Fidelity Investments® Opens New Chappaqua Investor Center

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As pictured, staff at Fidelity Investments’ Chappaqua Crossing Investor Center celebrate the opening of their newly-opened facility, located at 480 Bedford Road.

The 5,250 square feet office is a state-of-the-art facility providing area investors with access to investment guidance, as well as Fidelity’s broad array of products and services. Fidelity now has more than 197 investor centers around the country, with 19 investor centers located in the New York City area.

“Fidelity Investments is excited to be opening this Investor Center at Chappaqua Crossing, which is a full-service investor center with a unique design, driven by the needs of our clients and based on customer feedback and pilots designed to better understand what would work,” said Andrew Davison, Branch Manager of the Chappaqua office. “Our objective in designing this space was to create an inviting and engaging environment, one that provides the best possible experience for our clients.”

Fidelity Investor Centers provide clients with education, innovative technology and one-on-one guidance to help them develop strategies for a variety of financial objectives. At Fidelity’s local offices, clients can work with a Fidelity Investment professional to:

  • Evaluate retirement readiness and get help preparing a retirement income plan
  • Conduct a comprehensive portfolio review
  • Take advantage of Fidelity’s Portfolio Advisory Services1 which provides ongoing portfolio management
  • Review useful information on estate planning, charitable giving, life insurance and college planning2
  • Participate in a wide offering of free educational seminars and workshops

Pictured are the staff at the Investor Center, including Andrew Davison, Branch Manager of the Chappaqua office (shown, center). Andrew Davison brings more than 12 years of financial services experience to his position overseeing the renovated investor center.  Mr. Davison holds the Series 7, 9, and 10 registrations and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNERTM designation.  At the investor center, he works with a team of 13 associates dedicated to helping investors with their investment needs.

To learn more about the new Investor Center and how it can help with your financial planning decisions, contact: Andrew Davison, Branch Manager at 914-215-6225 ext.54666.

1. Fidelity Portfolio Advisory Service® is a service of Strategic Advisers, Inc., a registered investment adviser and a Fidelity Investments company. This service provides discretionary money management for a fee.
2. Fidelity does not provide estate planning, legal or tax advice. Laws of a particular state and your particular situation may affect the information. Consult with your attorney or tax adviser regarding your specific legal or tax situation.

ROCKS Has You Covered With Stylish Jewelry, Gifts and Home Decor

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Injecting cutting edge style into the new shopping center at Chappaqua Crossing, ROCKS Jewelry Gifts Home (“Rocks”) opened its doors this past May. The one of a kind boutique carries unique and modern fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, and home decor. Upon entering the bright and airy space, one is immediately struck by the beautiful artwork on the walls and the chic home accessories artfully displayed.

The store is entirely curated by owner Tanya Tochner, an 18-year resident of Chappaqua. Tochner recently closed her jewelry store in Armonk to focus on the expansion of her business into home design at the Chappaqua Crossing location.

“The home component is all new,” says Tochner. “The idea for it started five years ago but I never had the space for it in Armonk and then this opportunity in Chappaqua came up. Home goods take up a lot of space and we have almost 2,000 square feet here to accommodate us.”

There are no home and jewelry stores in the shopping center so Rocks provides a unique shopping experience.

“The jewelry and the home products really complement each other,” explains Tochner. “Customers come in intending to buy a hostess gift but end up looking at jewelry and vice versa.”

Jewelry That Rocks

“I try to carry pieces that are unique and modern and unlike other jewelry stores,” says Tochner.

Tochner sells a wide array of fine and fashion jewelry. Some favorite designers whose original pieces she currently sells include Jamie Joseph, Janis Savitt, Rebel Designs, Rachel Reinhardt, and Ela Rae. The store also carries the Jolie B. Ray line that Tochner created along with her previous design partner over a decade ago.

But Tochner is always changing things up and on the look out for new and exciting designers.

She is also adept at creating custom pieces. As a child, Tochner always liked fine jewelry and had a penchant for drawing. She discovered that drawing was helpful when she worked on the Jolie B. Ray line, and was able to draw jewelry and give it to her manufacturer to create it. She offers that custom service to all her clients. If a customer requests a specific design, Tochner can draft it on paper, make a model, and then ultimately present them with a final product from that drawing.

Rocks also keeps a convenient database of “wish lists” for their customers. “I always tell women to create a wish list if they’re eyeing certain pieces because their husbands come in to buy birthday or anniversary gifts and they want to know what their wives like,” explains Tochner.

Is Your Table Ready for the Holidays?

For people that love to entertain, Rocks is a treasure trove of gorgeous platters, vases, decanters, barware and bowls. Just in time for the holidays, they are selling modern tabletop accessories that are sure to impress any dinner guest.

Larger home items showcased at the store include ottomans, side tables, benches, lighting and artwork. Tochner offers personalized design services and visits to a client’s home to accessorize their house.

“We try to have something for everyone,” says store manager Wendi Gordon. “We have $18 candles and candles that are over $100. We find that everyone shops at all different price points. We have coasters for $40, candy dishes for $45, and bowls for $250. If you’re going to someone’s house and want to bring a little something, we have plenty of affordable options. If you’re looking for a higher end piece to decorate your home with, we have many choices.”

Staying Ahead of the Trends

On where she derives her inspiration and ideas, Tochner says,” I’ve always had an eye for jewelry and home design. I feel that if I like it myself, I will be passionate about selling it. I also listen to my customers and what they want.”

As for following any favorite bloggers or instagram accounts, Tochner says she does not spend her time doing that. “I don’t want to cloud my judgment. I try to be creative and if you are constantly looking at what everyone else is doing, you can’t come up with your own spin.”

Tochner definitely stays current and does her research. She travels to the home show in North Carolina twice a year, attends the New York shows, and is in the city once or twice a week buying merchandise, fulfilling custom orders or getting complicated jewelry repairs done for customers.

The boutique has a fun party vibe to it. Maybe it is all the sparkle between the glamorous jewels and the beautiful serveware that evokes this feeling. It may also be the friendly staff comprising of local moms that are eager to help you find that perfect gift.

Rocks holds many events at the store featuring local vendors and running various promotions throughout the year. To stay informed of all their fun events and see their newest merchandise, be sure to follow them on instagram at @rocks.jewelry_gifts_home. You can also request to be added to their email list or follow them on Facebook at Rocks by Jolie B. Ray.

The store is located at 480 Bedford Road in Chappaqua and can be reached at (914) 219-5808.

Catching up with Tonya Tochner, owner, ROCKS

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Tonya Tochner

Publisher’s Note: The Inside Press asked Tonya Tochner to explain why she is opening a second location of ROCKS at Chappaqua Crossing–and why she believes customers will appreciate this new store in addition to her much beloved Armonk location.

“Opening up a modern home store was always a future vision for ROCKS. When the opportunity presented itself to open up in my own hometown and offer modern home gifts and jewelry, I could not resist. I was sold when I visited a friend who lives in Chappaqua Crossing and witnessed the beautiful property,” said Tochner.

Grand Opening

The Grand Opening date was offered at press time to the Inside Press and is in our print edition but it is waiting for confirmation, too. Tochner promises: “It is going to be great. We will have swag bags, massages, facials, raffles, etc. The first 25 customers will get a free piece of jewelry with their purchase!”

Follow news of ROCKS on Facebook and on Instagram.

Chappaqua Crossing: Proceeding Apace

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Despite contentious debates for more than a decade, construction at Chappaqua Crossing is proceeding ahead in various phases. “Come this summer there will be more people living in that building,” New Castle Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein said in March as he pointed to a section of apartments in the so-called cúpula building–the building topped with four sculptures of Pegasus. Currently there are already 15 families calling the building “home.”

Lower down, other details from the old Reader’s Digest building’s past as a longtime employer of up to 4,000 people have been carefully preserved: well-made windows, fanlike brickwork above them, a rotunda room that used to house receptionists’ desks, irreplaceable interior doors, and a library, formerly used by Reader’s Digest staff, that curves out front and leads to a terrace.

“They’ve really preserved the architecture and a lot of the special interior aspects have been preserved,” Geoffrey Thompson, Summit/Greenfield’s spokesperson for the project, said. Thompson credits builder Bill Balter of Wilder Balter Partners for a special appreciation for preservation. “He recognized right away this was a special building and a special opportunity.” The apartments are a mix of affordable housing, housing intended for town employees, which are somewhat more expensive, and market-rate units.

A Phased Approach

As for the retail component, “the shell is almost done,” Greenstein said. In early spring, April 1 looked like a likely date for a building permit so the ‘buildout,’ or work on the interior, could commence. Then the retail component will be the main focus of effort. Greenstein explained that Department of Environmental Conservation rules prevent working on more than a five-acre area at a time, which is one reason this project is being accomplished in phases instead of all at once.

The townhouses, built by Toll Brothers, will come next. “The construction on the townhouses isn’t even going to start until the retail is done,” he said. “Even if they got their site plan approved tomorrow.”

There’s also office space at Chappaqua Crossing, including the corporate headquarters of Caremount, and Northern Westchester Hospital has medical offices there that are up and running. Other tenants include Digitech. Thompson said 200,000 square feet is already leased and there’s another 300,000 still available.

Building Retail and Improving Roadways

Roadway improvements are scheduled for this summer, and “once roadway improvement is done, they can open retail,” Greenstein said. “The roadway improvements have to be done for Whole Foods to get their CO,” which stands for certificate of occupancy. So far, confirmed tenants include a Whole Foods, a Life Time Fitness (which will include a spa and children’s play area) and Chase Bank, Thompson said at press time, with other businesses expressing interest and in various stages of negotiations.

The retail section of the project, which is located to the southeast of the cupola building, has a varied look to it and all sides of the project have been designed to look equally good, unlike some other retail spaces that prioritize the look of the front of the buildings.

New York State will determine whether or not the work on 117 will be managed by means of a detour. “You’re not going to widen a roadway without some disruption,” Greenstein said.

The changes to 117 will result in a left turning lane for motorists driving north on 117 who seek to make a left onto Roaring Brook Road. This will mean motorists going straight will no longer have to wait until drivers trying to make lefts in front of them find a break in traffic. There will also be a right lane for those traveling south, Thompson said.

Jitney Links Chappaqua Crossing with Downtown

Soon, there’ll be one or two extra ways–besides one’s car–to go between downtown Chappaqua and Chappaqua Crossing. The first will certainly be a jitney. Summit/Greenfield is “required to start a jitney shuttle as soon as the cupola building is occupied,” Greenstein said, recalling that Reader’s Digest once operated a similar service.

The second, a possible walking trail currently called ChapLine, is under consideration by the town board. “The first trail we looked into doing impacted a lot of wetlands,” Greenstein said, explaining that the board is now considering another route, but complexities such as possible easements must be taken into consideration.

The former Wallace Auditorium, also on the former Reader’s Digest property, now the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center, has been up and running since last fall and there are already events scheduled for as far ahead as September.

“The property is going to be a diverse group of activities,” Thompson said. “It’s an overused saying, but ‘live/work/play’ really does apply to this property.”