What Should be in the Bank Building?

John Angelo October 2, 2012 at 11:04 pm

A RETAIL business ...some thing that the local consumer would want to walk downtown to buy! NOT a service , NOT a realtor. Clothing , shoes, stationery, antiques (real ones not junk) art gallery, gift shop. The building itself is a wonderful space perfect for finer mercantile items . The unfortunate reality will anything survive there given the lack of other mercantile businesses to compliment it. Perhaps given that problem and conglomeration of several boutique type establishment all sharing the space with different usages . A craft boutique , candle shop , hand made woven apparel, unique housewears, art ,supplies, bridge jewelry , seasonal ornaments, womens accessories, art glass, soaps and toiletries. All of the above would be wonderful if the rent could be kept reasonable for a significant time this idea could work. There remains the huge issue of Mrs. Ossining consumer who has never shopped downtown for lack of any real choice . A media campaign which would target the entire community informing them of the offerings available here would be an absolute necessity several times a year to draw in the buyers. We have had enough of dollars stores and wholesale services which add little to the community but take up space .

Josh Weis October 3, 2012 at 12:49 am

A 'local goods' market. Selling fresh veggies when on the 6 days a week that the farmers market isn't across the street, and wares from local artists and craftsmen and women. Not to mention local wines, brews, and other soft products...

N. Macdonald October 3, 2012 at 06:19 am

My idea for the location mentioned: How about a local bookstore/coffee shop (Yes, the coffee can come from one of the other local coffee roasters' places!). It seems like it would be a great location to have one there. I know the Ossining library is nearby, but sometimes it is just great to purchase a book! And, it can have rare books, used books, new books, eclectic books, gift items, and local food items such as desserts, etc. I know we have Bruised Apple in Peekskill, but this can be different, and offer alternate options. And by the way, I am one (Mrs. Ossining) who shops on downtown Main Street all the time. I really enjoy the local shops and the historic buildings. I am surprised I don't see more people visiting, and we have lost some great places due to a lack of foot traffic (e.g. The Tea Room). With some thinking outside the "big box chain store" you can get great gifts, cards, food of all kinds, coffee, great hair/beauty treatment, and antiques--Melita's has some real antiques--not to mention a terrific farmer's market on Saturdays...and it has so much charm... I cannot believe this is lost on most everyone! Please let's have no more pharmacies, nail salons, dry cleaners, or pizza joints!

JTrain October 3, 2012 at 03:07 pm

A decent sit down family restaurant.

Gary Comitto October 3, 2012 at 03:40 pm

Chipotle!

changesoon October 3, 2012 at 09:43 pm

A burger place like elevation burger or smash burger

patchmeup December 5, 2012 at 07:18 pm

Along the lines of bookstore/coffee shop...wouldn't it be great for families to have a Toy Store and maybe an Ice Cream Shop downtown? These kinds of things make it so much more attractive to bring the kids and walk store to store which will surely benefit the other retailers on Main St!

patchmeup December 5, 2012 at 07:24 pm

Maybe just wishful thinking...but I would love to see an Outdoors Store in Ossining that could serve to promote the area for hiking and kayaking, etc. on Hudson. Think we could even draw a few new folks to our little corner of Westchester with such a place?