The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Pleasantville

Pleasantville Restaurants Still Standing the Test of Time

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The local restaurants where we dine are often the most memorable because of the delicious meals and the memories created there over the years. Pleasantville has many restaurants and is growing as a “foodie destination” for locals and visitors alike, but three stand out as having stood the test of time with quality food, welcoming ambience, and the people with whom we share those meals. After speaking with the owners of La Riviera, Jean-Jacques, and Foley’s, there is no doubt why people continue to return from one generation to the next.

Foley’s

Close-up of the Liberty Food Store on Bedford Road, now the site of Foley’s
Close-up of the Liberty Food Store on Bedford Road, now the site of Foley’s
PHOTO COURTESY OF PLEASANTVILLE VILLAGE ARCHIVES

For nearly a century and a half, people have gathered here to share a meal, raise a glass, celebrate, and catch up with neighbors. Though the establishment has evolved through many owners, names, and incarnations since first opening in 1883, its purpose has remained remarkably unchanged: bringing the community together and remaining a local watering hole.

Beginning as a bar with an adjacent grocery store, it was originally twice its current size. It offered “apartments” above the bar, but they were primarily used for very temporary occupancy, which you are free to interpret as you wish. During Prohibition it operated as a luncheonette known as the Lunch Wagon, as well as a speakeasy largely left alone by local law enforcement. After Prohibition in 1933, It became O’Gorman’s Bar before becoming Foley’s in 1954. Anthony Amato, current owner, paid extra for the rights to keep the Foley’s name. It is one of the oldest watering holes in Westchester County, reportedly being one of three, that remain in operation in the same building.

Over the years, Foley’s has welcomed its share of notable patrons, including members of the New York Giants, who frequented the establishment in the 1970s and 1980s while practicing at the nearby Pace University playing fields. Today, Foley’s continues to attract new regulars while remaining a favorite among those who have been pulling up a barstool for decades. It has stayed true to its dive bar charm–a place where neighbors and newcomers alike gather to watch the game, share a drink, and enjoy good conversation.

Being a vital part of the Pleasantville community is especially important to Anthony; a longtime Village resident whose children attend Pleasantville schools. That commitment extends well beyond the walls of the restaurant. Foley’s actively supports numerous local charities and community organizations, and giving back remains a priority that continues to grow alongside its connection to the community it has served for generations.

Conlon's on Wheeler Avenue was formally known as Mount Pleasant Hotel, but it was also known for its bar that served Lion Brewery Pilsner Beer. The staff poses on the porch.
Conlon’s on Wheeler Avenue was formally known as Mount Pleasant Hotel, but it was also known for its bar that served Lion Brewery Pilsner Beer. The staff poses on the porch.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PLEASANTVILLE VILLAGE ARCHIVES

As Pleasantville continues to grow with new residential developments and an expanding restaurant scene, it is increasingly earning a reputation as a destination for food lovers. Yet amid that evolution, Foley’s remains rooted in what has always mattered most. “Food is comfort,” Amato said, “and Foley’s has the food and atmosphere people have come to know and love.”

Looking ahead, Anthony envisions Foley’s continuing to be a warm, welcoming place where everyone feels at home–regardless of economic status, ethnicity, cultural background, political views, or any other differences. In a community that continues to evolve, Foley’s hopes to remain what it has been for generations: a place where good food, good company, and a sense of belonging are always on the menu.

Jean-Jacques

What began as a simple storefront focused on catering, Jean-Jacques was located in Ossining across from the Arcadia Plaza from 1989-2001. Their catered food was so popular, customers kept urging him to open a store, so in 1995 he opened a store in Millwood, and a year later another in Croton. In 2007, he found its current Pleasantville location. The building had been the home to Vinny’s Pizza for many years before sitting vacant. He condensed from three stores to a single larger one and continued to grow from there. The original bar section was closed to make that space a rentable one for private parties and events.

The Liberty Food Store on Bedford Road, now the site of Foley's. Photos above and one from bottom of left page are from different years.
The Liberty Food Store on Bedford Road, now the site of Foley’s. Photos above and one from bottom of left page are from different years.
PHOTO COURTESY OF PLEASANTVILLE VILLAGE ARCHIVES

Over the years the catering side of the business continued to thrive, and Jean-Jacques has catered events for many celebrities, including presidents. The event room was constantly booked, with two parties on both Saturdays and Sundays. Their bakery half of the building was thriving as well. Off-site catering included events of up to 1,000 people. In 2009, when the economy changed, there were fewer events, but their loyal customer base from all three earlier locations remained.

Many of the core staff from the original Ossining location are still with Jean-Jacques, creating a family atmosphere that extends to their customers. Building lasting relationships has always been a priority, going beyond simple greetings to truly knowing the people who walk through the door. Patty Irwin, the current manager, has been with Jean-Jacques for nearly 20 years and has watched generations of families grow up–from a customer she first knew as an expectant mother whose daughter is now in college, to a loyal patron who visited regularly from age 90 until his passing at 108. Today, his daughter, now in her 80s, continues the tradition.

That loyalty is built on consistency. Fresh food is prepared daily, with oven-baked meats sliced for their signature cold-cut sandwiches rather than processed deli meats. Their quiche has earned a devoted following, and their cakes have become legendary. In fact, customers planning parties have joked that if they don’t serve a Jean-Jacques cake, their friends might not show up.

Jean-Jacques is also deeply rooted within the Pleasantville community, regularly supporting the Jacob Burns Film Center, and partnering with J.A. Henkel and Zwilling cooking studio for cooking classes, as well as the Pleasantville Farmers Market from demonstrations. Pleasantville has become a food destination town with many new restaurants opening. While their customers may explore new places, they remain loyal. Jean-Jacques continues to evolve while remaining true to its roots. In 2023, the restaurant redesigned and expanded its party room, adding a new bar. When the space reopened in 2025, it featured live music, updated menu boards, and an enlarged outdoor patio, creating even more opportunities for the community to gather.

Irwin hopes future generations will continue to make memories at Jean-Jacques, just as so many families have for decades. Even customers who have moved away return asking, “Do you still have those almond croissants?” or another favorite menu item. It’s a testament to the lasting connection people have not only to the food, but to the memories made around the table.

La Riviera

Menu of Vincent’s restaurant, one of the prior businesses before La Riviera
Menu of Vincent’s restaurant, one of the prior businesses before La Riviera
PHOTO COURTESY OF PLEASANTVILLE VILLAGE ARCHIVES

Known for its family friendly, multi-generational patrons, La Riviera opened in 1989 by Tom Riviera, formerly a chef at Marina Del Ray in the Bronx and Lake Isle Country Club in Eastchester. He developed a menu based on fresh ingredients and simple recipes, from their homemade breadcrumbs to mouth-watering Italian cheesecake made with ricotta cheese, and everything in between.

Sarah Poyet, the new owner, is learning from the loyal customer base, continues to learn about the restaurant’s history from older patrons who recall its earlier iterations. Beginning around the mid-60’s it opened as Vincenzo’s, or Vinnie’s as it was more well known. Operating as a pizzeria/eatery, it was a popular neighborhood hangout. Around the mid-70’s it became a golf-themed tavern/restaurant, trying to capture a sports bar or country club vibe before opening as the Rusty Mariner, which focused on a nautical theme, serving fresh fish and seafood dishes until Tom Riviera took over in the late 80’s.

The current chef, Rudy Costa, was Tom’s sous chef and is well familiar with the recipes Tom developed along with his own culinary talents, and is adding summer specials to the menu, such as sole. Using products from Italy and continuing to use the freshest ingredients, patrons continue to come back over years, celebrating birthdays, communions, graduations, and other life events. Their fond memories of gathering around the table together in the same place continues to solidify their patronage.

As the village of Pleasantville developed around it, some people may find the location, at the corner of Tompkins Avenue, a side street right off Bedford Road and not in the central village, a little off the beaten path. Going back to its roots, there used to be a farmer’s market across the street so there was no shortage of people’s awareness that it was there.

Like all restaurants, Poyet has weathered her share of challenges, from the pandemic to the everyday realities of running a small business. She recounts, “Bringing a legacy business that needs to be adapted to the 21st century while preserving the best of what Tom built and carefully improving upon that is not easy. There was no transition plan in the original vision of the restaurant.” Doing a gut renovation would remove the timeless history, so after a deep clean, the focus was on repairing and refurbishing what was needed and adding lighter and ventilation. The result combined its original essence with an updated look. Of course, some of the old artifacts remain, such as the phone booth, which is now a linen closet but has the original signage and look.

While sharing a meal is a tradition common to cultures around the world, it has long been a defining part of Italian family life. With deep Italian American roots in Pleasantville and neighboring communities, the restaurant has become more than just a place to eat. Woven into the fabric of the town’s history, it maintains its place not only as a local landmark, but as a place where generations continue to gather around the table.

Mark Ambor: Pleasantville’s Homegrown Pop Star Connects Through Song

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Mark’s European Spring Tour of 2025
Mark’s European Spring Tour of 2025
PHOTO BY AMANDA LEFERRIERE

When singer-songwriter Mark Ambor led a throng of singing fans through New York City’s subway system last spring, the underground tunnels became a movable song fest. Starting on Bleecker Street and winding through Union Square, Ambor’s spontaneous pop-up performance drew crowds who packed subway cars singing shoulder-to-shoulder and later followed him topside as car roofs became makeshift stages. The event felt less like a concert and more like a citywide celebration powered by music and connection.

For the Pleasantville native, that kind of shared experience is exactly the point.

Since releasing his debut album “Rockwood” in 2024, Ambor, 28, has quickly emerged as one of indie pop’s brightest young voices. His heartfelt lyrics, upbeat melodies and easygoing personality have helped him build a devoted audience worldwide. Today, he draws more than 18 million monthly listeners on Spotify, with songs that reveal his personal connection with people.

“I’m most inspired by the people I meet and who I know,” says Ambor. “How people get through hard things, get to where they’ve gotten to and how they enjoy things – they’re my biggest inspiration.”

Despite his growing fame, Ambor says Pleasantville remains his personal touchstone.

“I love Pleasantville and it’s definitely a major part of who I am,” he says. “The friends I made and every single person I went to school with are still a very important part of my life. Pleasantville is special – you’re always part of the community.”

That sense of warmth and familiarity comes through in both his music and his stage presence. With his trademark curls, relaxed style and approachable charm, Ambor carries the kind of energy that makes audiences feel like they already know him. Fans don’t just listen to his songs – they croon along loudly, word for word.

Ambor’s down-to earth, engaging style was quickly recognized by Grammy winning English singer Ed Sheeran who invited a thrilled Ambor to open for Sheeran’s North American Loop Tour at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on June 13. For Ambor, who grew up listening to Sheeran’s music, it was a defining moment.

“Opening for Ed Sheeran was definitely a bucket-list moment for me,” Ambor says. “He’s easily one of the greatest songwriters of our time, and the fact that Ed Sheeran asked me to open for him is something I’m still having trouble wrapping my head around. He’s an inspiration, and I feel lucky to know him.”

Ambor’s debut album “Rockwood” opens with a poignant piano-driven prelude that blends prerecorded sounds of nature, soft voices of his parents and the atmosphere of a live crowd. The introduction sets the tone for an album rooted in memory, emotion and gratitude while still delivering the catchy hooks and uplifting sound that have become Ambor’s signature.

The song encapsulates a memory of Ambor’s former hangout – Rockwood Hall at the Rockefeller State Park Preserve, a stone’s throw from Pleasantville. It’s a place Ambor says was where he and his friends could escape to.

“Going there felt a bit freer, more loose,” he remembers. “It was where you could go on a date, where you eat your Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, have serious conversations – or dumb ones, and escape the weight of the world with friends. It’s why I named the album “Rockwood” because of that personal connection.”

As a youngster, Ambor was never sure of his musical talent. He played viola in the elementary school orchestra and started taking piano lessons when he was seven.

“I was always loosely involved with music and never really liked singing. I was shy about it to a strong degree,” he notes.

By the time he was 16, he stopped taking piano lessons.

“I didn’t like learning classical songs,” he recalls. “But after a while I missed it and started playing the songs I wanted to play. That’s when my relationship with music started to develop.”

Ambor’s special affinity with Pleasantville was fully realized the summer before he went to college at Fairfield University in Connecticut.

“I didn’t want to leave home, leave Pleasantville, the place I loved so much,” he recalls. “It was like having to start over with making new friends. The whole idea was daunting.”

Compounding his sadness was a recent break-up prompting him to compose an impassioned song which today remains untitled.

Mark’s European Spring Tour of 2025
Mark’s European Spring Tour of 2025
PHOTO BY AMANDA LEFERRIERE

“I sat down at piano while my parents were at work and wrote the song, then recorded it and sent it to my parents in a group chat,” he says. “I never had the courage to do that.”

A few hours later his mother wrote back saying “Dad and I loved the song. Who is the artist?”

Ambor wrote back: “Mom, it’s me.”

It was a definite turning point for Ambor and the encouragement needed to pursue his innate musical ability to tap into his passions and produce songs with universal appeal. Over the next four years at college he started to post some debut singles like “Fever” and “Colorful” on Tiktok and Instagram.

When he graduated in 2020, the Covid pandemic was in full throttle.

“One of the greatest things about Covid was I got to spend six months to focus on my music,” Ambor recalls. “I didn’t feel like a loser at home because everyone was living at home in their parent’s basement.”

As Ambor became more prolific he heard from those in the music business arena interested in managing him. His final choice was his current manager, Kyle Thomson

“I chose to work with the youngest, least experienced person,” Ambor explains. “I felt he had a belief in me I didn’t feel from the others. There was a trust and I felt it in my gut. The most fun is working hard with someone for the first time and having a bit of success.”

Ambor discovered the more he created songs, the more introspective he became. Even though he and his girlfriend at the time had broken up, they still went on a European backpacking trip together.

“During that trip I didn’t look at my phone and was separated from anything technical which gave me a sense of serenity and a clarity that was inspiring,” Ambor says.

When he returned home he started composing. He became a one-man band using every available sound including the piano and drumming on his guitar. Soon after that he produced his platinum-certified hit “Belong Together” – an upbeat folk-pop song that became his first Billboard Hot 100 hit with over 1 billion global streams to date.

“My song “Belong Together” is where I became inventive,” he notes. “It’s a little DYI, a little organic. In my opinion I feel the song is what my sound really is.”

When Ambor found himself alone at night in his producer’s studio it stirred him to write “Bruises and Stains,” a song about former self realizations and moving ahead to the future. The song starts with Ambor’s singing solo with piano accompaniment and slowly builds to a full acoustic instrumentation.

“I was in my writing mood which is like a flow state when nothing is overthought,” he says of the midnight composing. “The chords came to me in the middle of the night and the words are a running theme in my life which is making sense of one’s insecurities.”

Reticent at first to perform alive, Ambor’s growing popularity found him making his late-night television debut performing “Belong Together” on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” which he also performed on “Today” and for the 2024 Macy’s Fourth of July Celebration on NBC. Later that year his Rockwood Tour in Europe and North America was an instant success to sold out crowds.

Ambor says he’s gotten used to reading the vibe in the room. “Whether it’s a room of 250 people or a music festival with 3,000 people singing with me ‘dammit it’s so good to be alive’– it’s a feeling that overcomes me when I’m on stage,” Ambor says. “That the crowd sings along with me feels incredible, especially in a world that sometimes feels very hostile and crazy.”

Last year Ambor signed a global recording agreement with Universal Music Group’s Capitol Records. It was the same year he moved to New York City. His new challenge is writing songs he can be proud of.

“I’ve been creating songs for this next album with Capitol Records,” he says. “Most of the songs are being produced in my apartment – I’m reluctant to change how I work from when I wrote songs in my parent’s basement.”

Mark’s European Spring Tour of 2025
Mark’s European Spring Tour of 2025
PHOTO BY RYAN FALCOA

When asked what advice he would offer to young people who want to pursue music or the arts, Ambor recalls how he felt at the time.

“Looking back on my younger self, I felt most proud about trusting my gut when people disagreed with what I should be,” he says. “My advice is knowing exactly what you need to do and where you want to go. It’s what I listened to and it’s worked out so far.”

Whether performing in packed concert venues or turning a subway ride into a communal music festival, Ambor’s appeal lies in his ability to make people feel connected – to the music, to one another and to the places that shaped him.

“I hope that special feeling with people we have can keep growing,” he says. “Experiencing that connection – there’s a magic to it.”

The Jacob Burns Film Center Turns 25

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PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER

Today the Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville is widely recognized as one of the most successful suburban art house cinemas in the United States. Every year, some 200,000 people flock to the Burns from around and outside Westchester County for its state-of-the-art, five-screen theater presenting over 400 independent, documentary, and foreign films annually. It is also renowned for its film discussions with celebrity actors, filmmakers, screenwriters, and critics. In addition, some 7,000 local students walk through the Burns’ doors every year, mostly free of charge.

But it wasn’t always that way. In the late 1990s, founders Stephen and Lisa Apkon and Sabrina Coughlin, brought together a group of community members, including Brian Ackerman (Founding Programming Director), to help bring their dream of a nonprofit cultural arts and education center to life. The group’s focus was on reviving the 1925 Rome Theater, a beautiful Spanish mission–style historic landmark that was a working cinema until 1987.

According to Stephen Apkon, who is also former executive director (2001-2014) and a board member of the Burns, “The project grew through a series of informal coffees, dinners, and gatherings where community members embraced the vision and helped launch fundraising efforts.”

The group (originally known as Friends of the Rome Theater) soon launched a $5 million capital campaign to build the Burns. Early on, the campaign received a $1.5 million grant from the Jacob Burns Foundation, and the film center was named in honor of this leadership gift. The Burns broke ground in May 2000 and opened in June 2001, with three movie screens and the first year’s attendance totaling approximately 3,000 guests.

As far as big names in the film business who have heIped the Burns, Apkon said, “I’d have to start with three great Burns film center board members and filmmakers, Ron Howard, Jonathan Demme, and Steven Spielberg. Also, somebody who’s been very important from the beginning is Janet Maslin. A former New York Times chief film critic, Maslin has served as the long-standing president of the film center’s board of directors and regularly moderates high-profile Q&As with renowned directors and actors. In addition, the Burns has hosted major filmmakers and celebrities, including Tom Cruise, Meryl Streep, Alicia Silverstone, Brendan Fraser, Barry Jenkins, and Martin Scorsese.

Since its inception the Burns was always envisioned as a film and education institution. Brandon Shenkman, the Burns’s director of education, said, “It’s truly wonderful because education was not an afterthought, rather it’s been built into the DNA from the very beginning.”

“Our goal is to turn people from passive scrollers into active viewers,” said Shenkman, adding that students learn both critical viewing skills and the tools to tell their own stories through visual media.

A key milestone for educational programming at the Burns was the $20 million Campaign for 21st Century Education that allowed the Burns to build the Media Arts Lab across the street from its theater. Launched in November 2006, the campaign was successfully completed in December 2008, and the Media Arts Lab opened in January 2009.

Shenkman said, “The vision for the Media Arts Lab was to have this hugely beautiful professional space that was built as a playground for people who wanted to learn anything and everything about filmmaking and visual arts.” The lab has a recording studio, sound stage, screening room, and a huge editing bay of computers.

The Burns champions the notion that media literacy should be something that’s accessible to everyone and works hard to help the 80 local schools it serves every year to overcome any economic barriers that might prevent them from participating in educational field trips.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER

“Over 70 percent of the students we work with each year come from underserved schools. The children participate free of charge, including bus transportation to and from the Burns,” said Shenkman.

School-based programming begins in third grade and extends through high school, using film and media projects to strengthen writing, critical-thinking, and visual literacy skills. “Our programs work with both school curricula and Common Core standards,” said Shenkman. Programs are designed to complement classroom learning and cover subjects ranging from environmental science to civics and government.

At the pinnacle of education offerings are the “Director’s Cut” programs, which focus on narrative filmmaking, documentaries, and screenwriting. The – free of cost, immersive, pre-collegiate filmmaking fellowships are offered in partnership with the New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts. Designed for high school students, these highly selective groups receive mentorship, access to industry-standard equipment, and a stipend. The program culminates in a table read by professional actors of student work (screenwriting fellowship), and the documentary program is incollaboration with Imagine Entertainment, Ron Howard’s production company

The Burns’ educational offerings also expand to public programs, including afterschool and adult education. “Courses range from filmmaking to cinema studies and screenwriting – basically anything that is a film adjacent discipline,” said Shenkman. The Burns also has a filmmaking summer camp for fourth through twelfth graders that covers the whole filmmaking process from pre-production filming to editing.

Many students at the Burns have gone to top colleges, including Harvard, Brown, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), and NYU. “Beyond that, I get at least three or four emails a month from people who say that they made a film with us 10, 15, or 20 years ago, and are now out there in the field,” said Shenkman. “In addition, there are a lot of former students who work for us as instructors.”

Another important growth opportunity for the Burns came when the nonprofit purchased a home adjacent to the Media Arts Lab. Called the Artist Residency, it is the third building on the Burns campus. Since its opening in 2009, it has hosted dozens of artists-in-residence from over 20 countries, ranging from emerging voices to internationally renowned filmmakers (such as Academy Award winner Bong Joon-ho of “Parasite” fame).

“A lot of the people that stay with us are not famous, but they’re doing amazing, really important projects. It’s always been part of our mission to highlight voices that don’t always get the chance to be on screen,” says Shenkman.

In March 2015, in direct response to appeals from the community, the Jacob Burns Film Center began the next step in its evolution by opening two new theaters on the third floor of the theater complex along with an updated gallery space. Most recently, the Take 3 Wine Bar and Café opened in 2024, a perfect place for pre- or post-film conversation.

According to Chris Holliday, the Burns’ director of Special Programs and Strategic Partnerships, the “secret sauce” behind the film center’s success is that “nothing beats that communal experience of being in a movie theater.”

Media Arts Lab
Media Arts Lab
PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER

Apkon agreed, adding, “Since the beginning we wanted the experience not to end when the credits come on the screen, but to really begin. And the way that’s happened is through conversations with filmmakers, actors, set designers, and screenwriters, really covering all of the different facets of storytelling. I think that that is something very special about the Burns. There’s both a conversation with the featured guests and a conversation that’s created within the audience.”

Apkon said, “People want to come together and have shared experiences, especially now. At a time where a lot of media is contributing to us being more and more polarized, I believe that there is a need and a very strong desire for people to come together in places like the Burns.”

For readers wondering how the movies get chosen at the Burns, the film center has a team of three full-time programmers who travel all over the world to scout titles and talent. “We go to film festivals, like Sundance in the U.S., the Berlinale in Germany, Cannes in France, and BFI Flare, which is the LGBTQ+ film festival in London,” said Holliday.

“We truly watch a lot of movies and want to be able to bring in a variety of films that appeal to everyone. And that means trying to get that balance between something like “The Devil Wears Prada” with a documentary from director and producer Maite Alberdi,” said Holliday. (Alberdi is a rising star in the film world who is the first Chilean woman to be nominated at the Oscars.)

He noted that he wants not only to inspire people and educate people, but also to challenge audiences by presenting a film they may never have thought to see unless it’s programmed at the Burns. “Hopefully these films open peoples’ eyes and broaden their horizons,” said Holliday.

The amazing range of film series and festivals at the Burns, spans from the annual Jewish Film Festival (celebrating its 24th season this past March) to “Out There,” a new monthly series that celebrates Queer stories through a diverse selection of films from around the globe. The Burns also has an international documentary film series called “Docs Without Borders” and a series of family-friendly films called “All Ages,” which screens everything from “The Wizard of Oz” to “Shrek”.

“In addition, we have a program called Community Matters where we partner with nonprofit organizations across Westchester doing phenomenal work,” said Holliday. “I think that’s what makes the Burns so special is we show films from all over the world, but we also bring together groups in the community to have conversations and experiences together.”

Twenty-fifth anniversary programming in 2026 has included the first- ever retrospective of Ron Howard’s work, from “The Courtship of Eddie’s Father” (1963) to his Academy award-winning movies “Apollo 13” and “A Beautiful Mind”. The “Founder’s Series” featured some of Apkon’s favorite films, and “Time Capsule 2001” which showcased films from the Burn’s opening year. (See the side bar for upcoming 25th anniversary programming.)

When asked if he ever imagined if the Burns would be become such a cultural cornerstone in Pleasantville and beyond, Apkon said, “We believed that it could be the key to redeveloping the commercial area in Pleasantville, and we thought we could have an impact on the area around us. However, it so quickly exceeded our expectations. We are so grateful to be a part of this community.”

Apkon marveled at the shops and restaurants that have opened and at how Pleasantville has become a bustling downtown. “When we opened 25 years ago, there were numerous vacancies and lots of turnover. Now, there’s not only thriving businesses, but also a lot of residential units that have been built. One of the fun things to see is when the real estate agents are advertising in their ads that a home is ‘walking distance to the Jacob Burns Film Center’,” he said. Apkon pointed out that the Burns is also a destination location for people from all over the Greater New York Metropolitan area.

Stephen Apkon at the Burns construction site
Stephen Apkon at the Burns construction site
PHOTO COURTESY OF JACOB BURNS FILM CENTER

Looking at the history and future of the Burns, Apkon commented on how film has changed in the past quarter century: “The way a movie is delivered, whether it’s 35mm film or digital, at the core it’s still about the story. And the stories reflect not only our cultures, but they reflect the times and the things we as humanity are dealing with at the moment,” he said.

Apkon predicted that the programming will continue to evolve and to reflect the world around us. “Right now, we are at a very big crossroads for the humanities as it relates to communications, and that is around AI in terms of both the discernment and creation of images,” he said.

“I believe that literacy will continue to evolve and shift and needs to reflect the new modes of content creation and distribution. And I believe that the Jacob Burns Film Center should be and will be at the center of that very important conversation. I think that the ongoing challenge is always to stay new and to stay relevant to audiences as the community and the world changes.”

Adam Pascal’s Directorial Debut at Arc Stages

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PHOTO BY CHAD DAVID KRAUS PHOTOGRAPHY

After three decades onstage, Adam Pascal has recently shifted his artistic vision to directing, and he will be making his Arc Stages directorial debut in Pleasantville this fall with “The Last Five Years”. Best known for his performance as Roger Davis in the original Broadway and West End productions of “Rent”, Pascal is ready to bring his experience as an actor to the director’s chair.

“I feel like I have given everything I have to give to the onstage side of my career,” says Pascal. “All of the knowledge that I’ve acquired in the last three decades of doing this has led me to a place where I feel like I know how to create these things – these weird things that we do called musicals.”

After performing at Arc Stages in February 2026, Pascal expressed his interest in directing just as the theater was searching for a director for “The Last Five Years”, making him a natural choice. “The timing was ideal,” says Marlene Canapi, the Strategic Growth Officer of Arc Stages. “His strong musical background, combined with decades of performing on Broadway and beyond, positioned him to bring unique insight, authenticity, and artistic vision to the production.”

Although “The Last Five Years” has had numerous productions, Pascal is excited to present it in a new light. “I don’t think it’s really been done in a way that I think allows it to be as good as it can be,” he says.

“The Last Five Years” tells the story of the rise and fall of a relationship through two perspectives, with one character’s story unfolding chronologically and the other in reverse. Pascal says the play is traditionally presented as two characters singing in real time, reflecting on events as they happen, “but [he’s] interested in maybe presenting it a little bit differently.”

PHOTO BY CHAD DAVID KRAUS PHOTOGRAPHY

Pascal was careful, however, to not reveal too much. “I think that this is a bold interpretation of a way to present this show, and I hope it works. I hope people are intrigued by it, and I hope that my instinct on it is right.”

Pascal says, “having a vision is a rarity,” and he has observed wastefulness in production when creative leaders are unable to follow their instincts. While his interpretation of “The Last Five Years” is a risk, he says it is anchored in a clear vision. “It’s a gamble, but I think one that’s going to be a lot of fun,” says Pascal.

The production is currently casting and plans to begin rehearsals in September before opening later that month. Pascal says his experience gives him a unique empathy for the actors he will direct. “I think I work really well with actors because of that,” he says. “I know exactly what they’re experiencing.”

Pascal’s career continues to connect him with his acting and past productions. He is excited to reunite with the original cast of “Rent” this August for the show’s 30th anniversary during “The Festival”, a three-day Broadway festival in New York. The celebration of the beloved “Rent” will continue with the 30th anniversary concert on October 26 at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.

PHOTO BY CHAD DAVID KRAUS PHOTOGRAPHY

After performing on some of the biggest stages in the world, Pascal is excited to take on directing at a local, community-centered theater as he is “figuring out and discovering [himself] as a director.” He also appreciates being able to return home after work each night. Pascal continuing to build his directing career beyond Arc Stages. He is directing “Dear Evan Hansen” this summer in Massachusetts, and in the fall, he is directing “Our Little Secret” in Toronto and “Cabaret” in Connecticut. For some shows, he is still finding his vision. For “The Last Five Years”, he says it is already there.

From Wheeler Avenue to the Love Island Villa

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PHOTO COURTESY OF PALMA

The beloved bombshell TJ Palma was not always turning heads in the tropical villa. Long before millions watched him navigate romance on “Love Island USA”, Palma was growing up right here in our Pleasantville neighborhood, spending fall afternoons at the renowned haunted houses, playing baseball, and building the foundation for the person viewers would come to know on screen.

The Inside Press had the pleasure of sitting down with TJ to get to know the man behind the bombshell, diving into the experiences and hometown influences that have shaped him both on and off the screen.

Despite his newfound reality television fame, Palma remains deeply connected to his Pleasantville roots. Some of his favorite childhood memories center around the fall season, from trick-or-treating on Edgewood Avenue to braving through the renowned haunted houses. While fans recognize him from his time in the villa, Palma’s story began on local baseball fields and in a close-knit community that helped define his upbringing.

Among the people who left a lasting impression on Palma was his eighth-grade baseball coach, Coach Marone. Palma recalled the touching experience of Marone consistently going above and beyond, checking in on him, offering extra batting practice, and making sure he had every opportunity to improve. Looking back, Palma credits mentors like Marone with helping foster the work ethic and confidence that would serve him well in the years ahead.

At the time, a future on reality television was hardly on Palma’s radar. Following high school, he focused on baseball, explored entrepreneurial ventures and considered a variety of career paths after graduating from the University of Tampa. Then, an unexpected Instagram message changed everything. The producers of “Love Island” initially reached out when Palma was just 20 years old, and after a series of interviews and conversations, he found himself one step closer to entering the villa. What began as a surprising message on social media soon evolved into an opportunity that would introduce him to millions of viewers across the country, marking the beginning of a new chapter in his life.

Stepping into the “Love Island” villa was an alternate universe from walking down Wheeler Avenue. Although the screen captured TJ navigating love, some of the most meaningful moments happened away from the spotlight. While being on camera brought pressure, nerves and the awareness that millions of people will be watching, the moments off camera allowed his personality to shine. It was during those moments that he felt most like himself, and formed genuine connections.

Being isolated with only 15 other Islanders, without a phone, or the constant noise of social media, was unlike anything he had ever experienced. For the first time, TJ described feeling free from many of life’s everyday pressures. The experience became a true reset, teaching him to let down the walls he had built over the years and to become more open, authentic, and comfortable with who he is.

Returning home, however, brought a new set of challenges. Overnight, Palma went from living without a phone to navigating countless opinions about him on social media. While adjusting to the attention wasn’t always easy; he has learned to keep it in perspective. His advice to young people facing the pressures of social media is simple: “Take it with a grain of salt.”

Palma emphasizes that negative comments can often drown out the positive but reminds others that the opinions of others should never outweigh the value of genuine relationships or confidence in yourself. As his journey continues beyond the villa, the Pleasantville native remains grounded by the community that first shaped his path. Whether he’s recognized on the street or back home visiting family and friends, Palma hasn’t forgotten where his story began.