Glitter Thicket Owner Larisa Schuckle

Glitter Thicket owner and Nyack native Larisa Schuckle is really living her truth. Before starting her business, she earned a degree in Animal Studies, worked at several farm sanctuaries, and was a humane educator – traveling to schools to teach students about the impact of food choices on individual health, animals, and the environment. Taken altogether, she was perfectly positioned to be the person to bring a vegan bakery to Nyack’s downtown.

“I wanted to offer people in the community affordable, healthy foods that have a lower environmental footprint and also help protect animals,” Larisa says. “Plant-based eating for me has been really delicious and joyful and I wanted to share that. I also wanted to create a space where local artists could share their work and be celebrated.”

In addition to a simple menu of vegan sandwiches, baked, goods and high tea, Larisa appeals to Nyack’s artistic vibe and strong sense of community by featuring an ever-changing collection of art from local makers, jewelry, gifts, and fairy houses. Customers are able to be surrounded by beauty while eating delicious food. In addition, the shop creates custom birthday and wedding cakes and hosts private fairy tea parties and other celebratory events upon request.

When asked “Why Nyack?” for her business, it is no surprise that creativity was at the forefront of Larisa’s reason.

“It is truly special how many different people from the community have been willing to showcase their work here, from jewelry, mustard, hat and perfume makers, to sculptors, authors, photographers, painters and potters,” Larisa states. “There are lots of creations to look at when you come in. There have also been many people who have been willing to share their skills and passions in the space and organize things like tarot nights, poetry clubs, discussion groups and open mic nights!”

Looking forward, Larisa hopes to continue hosting specialty events and being a gathering place for people to express themselves and celebrate. She tries to do a party for most nature-based holidays and select artistic events. She is hosting a closing reception for an artist on May 18th, a welcome party for a new artist on May 24th, and a Garden Tea Party at the First Reformed Church of Nyack on June 2nd. You can learn more about the aforementioned events and much more by following Glitter Thicket on social media @glitterthickett (Instagram) or visiting their website.

Glitter Thicket
88 Burd Street
Nyack, NY
845-596-7539
Open Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm

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Customers can stop by Metal & Stone Jewelers now through February 14th for the store’s “Wishlist Event” where they choose items for hopeful fulfillment.

Long Path Outfitters x West Mountain Guide Co. will be hosting a Valentine’s sunset hike to the top of Hook Mountain on February 16th. Sign-up now and the store will send you all the info you need. Cost includes expert guiding from West Mountain Guide Co and a camp meal from Good-to-Go at the top! Group will meet at 4pm. Headlamps for the hike down required, micro spikes strongly encouraged (and might be required depending on the weather!). Everyone who signs up gets a discount card to be used at the shop! You can find all the pertinent information here.

Tell someone you love them with a Valentine’s Day box of “I LOVE YOU” donuts from Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar. Order must be placed by February 11th for pickup on February 13th or 14th. You can find more information here.

Planning a visit to the area and looking to keep your visit simple? Hotel Nyack‘s own FARM Restaurant has a special Valentine’s Day Prix Fixe Menu (3-courses, $75 per person) so that you can pair your stay with an easy meal before you hit the hay.

Photo Credit: Scott & Joe

Unsure what to get your special someone? You can never go wrong with food…or more specifically, a food tour by Joey G.’s Nyack Food Tours! You can view more details about the two tours happening during Love Week below – a Beers & Cheers Tasting Tour on Friday, February 9th and a Winter Comfort Foods Luncheon Tour on Saturday, February 10th. You can read more about the two tours here and gift cards are also available for purchase.

More into cheesy gifts? Scott & Joe only serves up the best kind of cheesiness and Valentine’s Day is no exception. This year, the shop is offering a special Valentine’s Day Collection featuring artisanal crackers with edible flowers, woody rosemary, fresh dill and chive, sour cherry pomegranate conserve, maritime lavender honey, hand-dipped dark chocolate figs, cremeux des citeaux triple cream brie, and a tiny fresh posy – all packaged in a beautiful pink box. Available while supplies last with some substitutions available. Pick-up is in-store on Wednesday, February 14th only.

Still in the mood to celebrate a little beyond February 14th? Check out the Dancin’ Machine 70s Disco Tribute Event at the West Gate Lounge on Friday, February 16th. Doors open at 8pm, admission is $20 – a perfect way to close out Love Week in town!

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As this year’s Valentine’s Day is right in the middle of the week, why not make it a “love week” spanning the weekends before and after with a string of dates in Nyack. Here are 10 ideas how to celebrate your love:

Photo Credit: Salonniere Coffee Bar

Photo Credit: Caroline Scimone

1-That’s Amore – Enjoy a glorious bowl of handmade pasta at DPNB Pasta & Provisions and then head up the street to see Italian American Reconciliation at the charming Elmwood Playhouse. To impress your date even more: enroll in an Italian conversation and culture class at Salonniere.

2-Paint the Town – Get inspired at the Edward Hopper House Museum & Study Center and the Perry Lawson Gallery next door. Then head up to Black Parakeetz to paint, sip and sing yourself. Body painters? Get matching tats at Vanguard Tattoo and then toast them with a Boxer donut – or something stronger at the Old Village Inne.

3-Treasure Hunters – There are so many great thrift stores, antique stores and other unique stores to discover GOLD! Go on the hunt together. Map/List>>>>

Photo Credit: Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar

4-Global Travelers – Spin a globe and pick a cuisine. You’ll find all these international cuisines in our tiny village without having to book a plane ticket: Ukrainian, Tibetan, Dominican, Peruvian, Filipino, French, Vietnamese, Thai, Italian, Greek, Irish, Mexican, Japanese. Even Southern USA! Or book a tour with Joey G’s Food Tours to enjoy bites at many! To see the full restaurant list >>>

5-Jazz it Up – Swanky, dark bars at Hudson House, The Greekish and The Local get you in just the right mood to sway. Then head to Maureen’s Jazz Cellar or Casa del Sol for live music. All the music options coming up>>>

6-Your love is fire – Snap a cute pic of yourselves in front the historic main street fire house and grab a bite next door at La Dolce Vita. Anything bought at Genalisa Lingerie will help fan the flames.

Photo Credit: Scott & Joe

7-Hike hand in hand – Grab picnic goodies at Scott & Joe and cute mittens at Long Path Outfitters.

8-Early risers – Love lives in the pancakes at Strawberry Place and the Breakfast and Burger Club. And loads of ooooh la la at Patisserie Didier Dumas.

9-Book Worms Unite – Grab a latte at the Art Café and the historic Andrew Carnegie-donated Nyack Library. Stroll over to the Carson McCullers House. And then browse Nyack’s three local book sellers: Pickwick, Big Red Books, and Main Street Beat.

10-Love & Games – A cozy living room to play board games, pour your own craft brews, and nibble delicious Vietnamese fare at Mekong District.

And if lots of dates go really well…hey…get a room at Hotel Nyack and/or get married or renew your vows in a beautiful setting & for a good cause with The Angel Nyack!

Photo Credit: Nyack Seaport – Rick Helman Photography

The post 10 Great Dates in Nyack for “Love Week” appeared first on  Visit Nyack.

Elizabeth & Dave: Farm to Seaport

Elizabeth and Dave met during the pandemic online. In February 2022, he proposed – and they decided they didn’t want to wait to get married!

While their first love party took place at Locanda Verde in Manhattan with 50 guests, they wanted to celebrate with their extended families as well – Elizabeth’s in Nyack and Dave’s in Cape Cod.

In Nyack, they threw a jazzy wedding brunch for about 65 guests (the bride’s family). It was a lovely summer day – made even lovelier with flowers that came straight from a nearby farm onto the tables at the Nyack Seaport, a local venue that offers front row seating on the Hudson and Nyack Marina.

As Elizabeth puts it, “The flowers were my favorite part. Kristina Burns of Festoon on Hudson delivered beyond my expectations creating whimsical color stories at each table. I also loved that they were literally farm-to-table. They were just gorgeous.”

Festoon exclusively uses flowers grown on Bluefield Farm in Blauvelt. This means their creations pop with local, seasonal blooms – and veer away from those that need to be trucked in from far away. They are also arranged in beautiful bottles and containers that were salvaged and repurposed, to further limit their carbon footprint.

[ Here’s a special insider tip: Early planners can schedule a visit to the farm during the season of their wedding and see what will be growing and harvested for their special day, sometimes even help shape what gets planted – a unique way to kick off a wedding! ]

Andrew Blackstein, the couple’s friend and a professional concert photographer, captured some of the colors and mid-summer glow of their dreamy, jazzy brunch wedding here.

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Once upon a time, Casey and Brian were living in Queens and planning a wedding on Long Island. Along comes the Delta variant and the added twist of remote work and they soon found themselves moving to Nyack and savoring regular meals at the Hudson House. New wedding plans began to take shape: they’d take full advantage of the beautiful village and have a very Nyack wedding. And in only two months – apparently with the help of a fairy tale wand – they pulled it off!

On July 9^th, the groomsmen were fortified for the day with a power breakfast at Strawberry Place. Even though this busy-and-beloved restaurant doesn’t usually take reservations, they set aside space for them.

Nearby, Casey and her crew were putting on their final touches. This included a lovely necklace that Brian had surprised her with from Somos Jewelers.

A few hours later and just a few feet down Broadway, their 54 guests started to arrive at the Edward Hopper House Museum and Study Center. They gathered in the garden but were also able to explore the museum and its newest exhibits as they awaited the couple. Chairs and a tent (as a weather backup) were supplied by local company, ABC Fabulous Events. Some incredible platters of cheeses and other nibbles came from Simard and Company further welcomed their guests.

The Hopper House’s lovely garden was made even lovelier thanks to all the floral design touches provided by Festoon on Hudson. In keeping with the couple’s quest to keep everything as local as possible, Festoon harvests its ultra-fresh blooms from Bluefield Farm in neighboring  Blauvelt.

Local musician, Ryan Townsend, used his guitar and vocal talents to play favorite songs requested by the couple as well as the processional – let the ceremony begin!

Afterwards, in something like a New Orleans processional, everyone headed out to Hudson House for the reception. As they passed cafes and pizzerias, they were met by smiling faces, clapping and high-fives. It was such a special moment of their village wedding!

They paraded to the charming second floor of the Hudson House, which has a tin ceiling and great A/C (very helpful in early July!). The couple felt incredibly supported throughout the entire process by Matt, Skye and the rest of the HH team. According to Brian, “a friend said that might have been the best wedding meal I’ve ever had…well actually, maybe the best meal I’ve ever had” (it was the NY strip steak in case you were wondering).

But apparently that was still not enough dancing and dining and photo-boothing for everyone. Stalwarts continued the celebration afterwards for an after-party at Two Villains Brewery https://www.twovillainsbeer.com/ right next door – the perfect stay-local end to their very Nyack wedding.

A few pro tips for a village wedding from Casey & Brian:

“During the planning process, we really got to know some of the vendors. Kris of Festoon invited us to a Summer Solstice event; Joe and Scott from Simard made picking cheeses really fun; we regularly saw Matt when sipping cocktails at Hudson House. Honestly, it was just such a relief to see these fantastic, familiar faces on such a big day!  Plus, now for our monthly anniversary, we head to Hudson House and the whole team congratulates us.”

“We were attracted to Nyack because it has a great sense of balance – lots of nature, walkable downtown, wide cross-section of people. Our friends and family members didn’t realize in advance didn’t know how charming it was and really enjoyed exploring this part of the Hudson Valley.”

“To give people different hotel price points, we cobbled together hotel choices and car services to bring people back and forth. It’s a good idea to work out those details far in advance – and have backups in place.”

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Naudia & Nathan: Pure Joy at Hook Mountain 

Fully reflecting their deep love of family and the great outdoors, Naudia and Nathan chose Nyack Beach State Park for their summer wedding. The couple and their 130 guests gathered on the “Upper Plateau” – a broad field that sits near the base of Hook Mountain. It’s flanked by dramatic cliffs and provides a unique and magical perch above the Hudson River. Though only 25 miles from New York City, it feels very, very far away. Nathan had grown up nearby, but it wasn’t until they moved into their house in Central Nyack from Brooklyn last year that they decided this was the perfect spot for them to celebrate.

“Our wedding was like a love letter to ourselves in a way – we wanted to be sure that things that make us “us” were integrated.” This meant finding a place where everyone could simply relax and be surrounded by nature. Guests took home little succulents and hot sauce the couple made, a nod to their passion for gardening, full-flavor foods and Naudia’s work as a Dietician. Lush hydrangeas and other florals were grown locally and arranged into the arch, bouquets, and centerpieces by Cottage Creek Gardens (which also happens to be owned by Nathan’s dad and stepmom). 

And even a ride on their beloved – and fully tricked out – E-bikes got a special moment in the ceremony!

Family Traditions 

Naudia grew up on Wakenaam Island off the coast of Guyana in South America. It’s the kind of place that gives you plenty of skills in the DIY department. “My island is a little like Amish country. Everything we needed, we made it or did it ourselves,” explains Naudia. 

Following her family’s traditions, the parents of the bride prepare the feast for the guests. The week before the event, her parents and four sisters went into overdrive. They prepared traditional Indian-inspired Guyanese dishes in the couple’s home (while they were sent off to the Hotel Nyack). Thankfully, Naudia’s mom has catered a number of weddings before, including for Naudia’s sisters. Together they crafted everything with love and set it all up under their tent – before getting ready themselves for the ceremony. 

Local Vendors

The couple was also very intentional about choosing local vendors. For their photographers, they worked with Kellie Walsh and Rupert Rogers of 4eyesphotography, who are part of the Nyack Wedding Collective (a group they found @NyackWeddings on Instagram). “They were really flexible and able to roll with the weather and shift their schedules and approach for our first look and couple photos.” These included shots taken along woodland paths and down at the beach.  

Their Officiant was Kathy Gnazzo, a local actor with Elmwood Playhouse and friend of the family. 

Though the bride’s sister prepared a traditional Guyanese Black Cake, they also worked together with local Patisserie Didier Dumas to create a passionfruit cake with a tumble of fruit. 

The tent/chairs/linens came from Rockland County Party Rentals from Nanuet, who set up everything early on Saturday and carted it away on Sunday.

For her lovely look, Naudia sourced her wedding dress from Le Sel Bridal and got a mani-pedi at Rose Nail Salon. The couple’s rings were purchased with the help of Maria at Mamari Jewelers in Nanuet.

Pre & post-wedding fun

The night before the ceremony, the couple kicked things off with a welcome dinner for 30 in a private space at the Nyack Grill & Bar. According to Naudia, “The food was really delicious and staff so kind. We laughed and danced a lot! It really helped set the tone for the weekend.”  

For the day after, they had initially planned on having a family picnic, play cricket, and go for a swim in Lake Welch (Harriman State Park). But because of an algae bloom in the lake, they decided to move the gathering to their backyard. 

The couple spent their wedding weekend at Hotel Nyack, but then headed to the nearby Lake Sebago Cabins. “We were in nature. Done!” Part 2 of the honeymoon took them to Guyana, which included another family wedding. 

Some tips for couples who might want to dance in their footsteps… 

• Naudia and Nathan really enjoyed working with the folks at Nyack State Beach Park, who assisted them with booking the event and organizing the nearby parking. The site is wheelchair accessible. 

• The couple rented the Upper Plateau for two days, so that they didn’t have to worry about cleanup or tent removal at night – instead they just locked important bits in a trailer they rented. They also set up a camping tent so that Naudia and her bridal party could get changed into their traditional Indian garb for the reception (even better for dancing!).
• A few more port-a-potties were rented for convenience; two were supplied by the park since nearby bathrooms were being repaired. 

• To address bad weather & other pests: As their backup plan for rain, they would have moved it all under the tent. They wish they had planned in more time for the overall event to accommodate weather issues – since they did have a shower that pushed their ceremony back. They also incorporated citronella candles everywhere, which really helped keep bugs at bay.
• Guests stayed at Hotel Nyack or the West Gate Inn right in Nyack. Most came by cars that they either owned or rented for the weekend. A few came up from the city by train. 
• If you don’t have happen to have parents who can wrangle florals and catering for 130, please check out the Nyack Wedding Resource Guide to find a list of professional catering options and floral designers. Another option: have your ceremony outdoors and then continue the festivities at an indoors venue nearby.
• Naudia is also listed in the Nyack Wedding Resource Guide – her company, Brooklyn Nutrition Practice, also counsels couples who want to feel their best as they get ready for a wedding marathon or sprint. 

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For a unique selection of jewelry pieces, be sure to browse Metal and Stone Jewelers (12 S Broadway) and Somos Designer Jewelry Gallery (78 S Broadway).

Wrap up something sensual by upgrading her undergarments at Gena Lisa Lingerie (17 N Broadway), get some grooves to set the mood at Main Street Beat (95 Main Street), or select some unique gifts at Maria Luisa (South Broadway). Gear up for your next adventure together at Long Path Outfitters (75 South Broadway), and grab some sustainable goodies for your environmentally-conscious cutie from Bare Minimum Goods (68 South Broadway).

For a fresh-cut flower fix, visit Tappan Zee Florist (176 Main Street), or show your love is perennial with house plants from Bridge Street Botanical (10 Bridge Street) and Cottage Creek Gardens (161 Main Street), who is hosting a special Galentine’s Pop-up on Sunday featuring the prettiest paper poppy bouquets created by Festoon on Hudson (pre-orders encouraged).

If your sweetheart has a sweet tooth, Nyack has no shortage of indulgent treats. Treat your honey to handmade chocolates from Adams Chocolate (150 Burd Street) and Tree of Chocolate (6 S Broadway), or decadent pastries and colorful macarons from Patisserie Didier Dumas (163 Main Street).

A fun option is a whimsical box of “I Love You” donuts from Boxer Donut & Espresso Bar (18 N Franklin Street)(pre-orders encouraged). If your love leans toward the savory side, Simard & Co. (4 S Broadway) can help with their selection of gourmet cheese, charcuterie, and epicurean delights.

For a romantic meal, make reservations at one of Nyack’s fabulous restaurants, many of which offer specials on Valentine’s Day. Treat your special someone to one of the Valentine’s breakfast or lunch specials at Strawberry Place (72 South Broadway), spice things up with a memorable meal at Mumbai Dreams (9 Ingalls Street), or put a sparkle in your sweetheart’s eye with a glass of bubbly–included on the pre-fixe menu at The Greekish (8 N Broadway).

Check out our full directory of shops for more gift ideas and our calendar for live music and other great events to enjoy with your Valentine or Galentines. However you pamper your paramour, Nyack is the perfect place to hit cupid’s mark, and one visit will surely capture your heart!

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