Give me shelter: What’s new with garages?
JUNE RECIPE
Community Banker: George Whalen III, president and chairman of the board of Bank of Millbrook
On a gray Wednesday morning, George Whalen III invited me into the conference room of the Bank of Millbrook’s newest branch in Millerton, NY. Whalen may look like a banker, with a starched oxford shirt and tie, but his easy manor is spontaneous and genuine. Those who know him well describe him as “a […]
By the numbers: Three-county real estate market in the first half of 2025
The residential real estate market in the first six months of the year for the three counties where Main Street Magazine is circulated, Dutchess and Columbia in New York and Litchfield in Connecticut, posted mixed results in a year to year 2025 to 2024 comparison. Twelve-month median prices at the end of June 2025 […]
Mix Masters: Liz Macaire and Simon Kristoph of Macaire + Kristoph, West Cornwall and Kent, CT
I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Liz Macaire and Simon Kristoph to discuss their business, Macaire + Kristoph, based in West Cornwall and Kent, CT.
Could you describe your business?
Liz: Our business is multi-dimensional, and we manage quite a few moving parts: two retail stores, interior design, staging, estate sales, and an art […]
Independent Cabi Stylist Jennifer Ryan
Christine recently caught up with Lakeville, CT, resident Jennifer Ryan to discuss with her all aspects of her independent stylist business as well as to learn all about cabi.
What is cabi?
Cabi is a women’s fashion brand that offers high-quality women’s clothing that is on trend but not trendy; flattering, wearable, and washable; and gives […]
Porches are popular: Real estate on the front porch
Above: Grassland Dessert Café in Lakeville, CT, renovated the former enclosed porch of a vacant Chinese restaurant to provide extra outdoor seating for enjoying an ice cream cone. Photo by Christine Bates.
Maybe it started during COVID, when it seemed safer to see friends outside and have groceries delivered, or maybe it was the increasing square-foot […]
The Sultans of Soot: Robert Keller, Master Sweep
Above: Rob Keller (right) has been the Sultan of Soot for the last 30 years. Tucker Shearer (left) is a sultan in training. Photo by Christine Bates.
When should homeowners call you about cleaning their chimney?
It’s based on how much wood you burn in your stove or fireplace. It’s like changing your oil based on mileage. […]
Kitchen dilemma: The impact of a kitchen on real estate value
Above: A complete kitchen renovation was required for this Livingston, NY, house at an estimated cost of $45,000. Photo courtesy of Andrew Gates, Houlihan Lawrence Real Estate
The old real estate saying is that a kitchen and the primary bedroom are the selling features of a house. Of course, that presumes that location, size, price, style, […]
Premium ice cream on Route 7: Lee and Raven Krueger, owners & operators of the Modern Milk Bar in Sheffield, MA
Above: Modeled after the counter and stools in the former F2 Ice Cream Bar, the home of the Modern Milk Bar was designed and built by Lee Krueger. Photo courtesy of the Kruegers.
How did a couple from eastern Long Island seeking a place to retire create an ice cream shop in Sheffield?
Raven: We were contemplating […]
Answered prayers: New life for two Millerton churches
Above: St. Patrick’s Church at the corner of Barton and Church Streets gleams in the sun of early spring. Photo by Anne Day.
Millerton, the smallest village in Dutchess County, NY, with less than 1,000 people, once had four active churches – Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, and Baptist. Today only the First Baptist church holds […]