When in Goshen: What to buy? Where to eat?

By Geri Corey
GOSHEN — It’s the beginning of the holiday season! With lights and decorated windows everywhere, holiday spirit abounds in the village.
The Village of Goshen is once again offering free parking in the downtown business district through Jan. 2, relieving busy shoppers of one less care.
Local stores are offering shoppers plenty of great buys — read on:
Bank on some artYou may not think of going to a bank in search of holiday gifts, but this year give it a try. Stop at the Berkshire Bank and check out the fantastic art pieces, reasonably priced, that are hanging on the walls.
Jeff Manson, assistant branch manager, appreciates the original art that the Goshen Art League brings to the bank on a rotating basis. Currently, works by watercolorist Lana Privitera are on display, including “The Glass Decanter.”
“The level of detail in her painting is phenomenal, and the way she captures the light on the decanter is on a level that I haven’t seen,” Manson said. “Her work is so lifelike, so realistic, like ‘Waiting for Spring.’ I can see a lot of people enjoying that.”
Fun on wheelsOf course, not everyone is into art, so for the more athletic folks on your list, think figure or hockey skates—always a perfect gift for winter. Or, who wouldn’t want to see a bicycle under the tree on Christmas morning?
Bicycling isn’t just for children any more. It’s also a favorite sport for adults, said Brian Dunlevy, owner of Joe Fix Its, the bicycle store in the village. So check out his great selection of bikes for all ages and purposes, as well as the accessories that make biking more enjoyable.
Toy trains are still especially popular for the holiday season, said Dunlevy. Joe Fix Its has been selling trains since 1948, and is now specializing in the all-time favorite, Lionel Train sets.
Joe Fix Its' trademark trolley, traveling relentlessly across the storefront widow, as it has been for 30 years, reminds us we’d better get shopping: time is “running” out!
Festive feastsFood! Don’t we all think of our favorite foods and drinks during Christmas and Hanukkah? Delancey’s is offering a variety of dining options for the season.
Oscar Vidals, general manager, said Delancey’s will be open for dining on Christmas Eve as well as New Year’s Eve, serving all their regular menu favorites and specials. Reservations for both nights are recommended.
To highlight Goshen’s newest tradition, the New Year’s Eve Gala and ball drop, Delancey’s is hosting a pre-party from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m., offering hors d’oeuvres, a full open bar, and a DJ, at a cost of $45. Reservations for this fun night are recommended.
Getting together with friends during this season of good cheer? Franz Brendle, owner of Craft 47, recommends his place. He can easily accommodate groups.
“This is a great place to hang out with friends, a have a little bit to eat and drink, or build a meal," he said.
Adding to the ambiance, Craft 47 has live music on weekends.
“Our Sunday Brunch is popular for bigger groups, too," he said. "For this holiday get-together we have our regular and an additional brunch menu."
What’s the most popular item?
“Our famous truffle fries,” he responds quickly.
Craft 47 is open every day but Monday, starting at noon.
Feel like familyShopping can be taxing, so having a satisfying lunch is a necessity during the course of the day. What better spot than Elsie’s Luncheonette for a reasonably priced lunch in a place with all the warm ambiance of Goshen of yesteryear? Elsie’s has a full menu of comfort foods, including homemade soups, sandwiches—like grilled cheese, tuna or egg salad — great coffee, and much more, including specials everyday.
Keeping with the spirit of the season, on the last Saturday of the month, which this year is New Year’s Eve, Pete Smith, owner of Elsie’s, and his family will prepare a traditional holiday meal for the community at St. James Episcopal Church—the host church for monthly community dinners.
“Last year we fed well over a hundred people," Smith said. "This year I figure we’ll feed that many, if not more. No one leaves hungry — we cook eight turkeys, six hams, 75 pounds of mashed potatoes, green beans, corn, and cider and pies, donated by Soons Orchard.
“All the Smith siblings come home for the holidays, and rather than exchange gifts among ourselves, we get together, do the meal and give to others. We have a good time doing it."
Bling is inJewelry is always a welcome gift, and for someone special in your life, Goshen Jewelers on North Church Street is just the place to find beautiful jewelry on hand and “jewelry made-to-order your way,” said Adrienne Crawford, store owner. The shop also offers watch and jewelry repairs by a local repairman.
“When thinking of jewelry, come in and browse," said Crawford. "We offer affordable jewelry and watches."
Currently the shop is featuring a line of watches made by Bulova.
Crowning gloryFilling Christmas stockings can be a daunting task, so think outside the box. Stop in Village Hair Salon and check out the specials and holiday gifts geared to hair products. Many are small gifts, like decorations that will fit nicely into a stocking, said Gwenn Rosenthal, owner/hairstylist.
The salon also offers shampoos for all hair types, whether dry, curly, or normal, in specialty gift boxes, Rosenthal said.
“They’re gift-ready to go," she said. "And the one for fine hair is excellent.”
Keep Village Hair Salon in mind for holiday haircuts, perms or styling for special family dinners or nights out on the town.
“We wish everyone happy holidays from our little office in the Village of Goshen, said MaryBeth O’Hara, managing director of Caldwell Banker Village Green Realty, one of the newer businesses on West Main Street.
O’Hara adds, “In 2017, if you’re considering making a move, don’t hesitate to contact us. We love talking about real estate.”
Don’t overlook many additional stores in the village offering great holiday gifts and food, like Linda’s Office Supplies and Gifts, Dunkin Donuts, Roccoroma, Limoncello, 3 Mamas and Mike, Sweet Tymes, Tinge Hair Studio, and Harmony Salon.
“It’s a great time of year to have a store and be a part of the spirit here in Goshen,” said Joe Fix Its’ Dunlevy, summing up the thoughts and feelings of the downtown business community this 2016 holiday season.
So get out and enjoy! And Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to all!