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Gourmet Food Shop, Moo & Oink, Brightens Newburgh

Author: Christian Livermore, Times Herald-Record
11/19/2008
Website: http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081119/BIZ...

NEWBURGH, N.Y. (November 19, 2008) — The latest chapter in the book of Newburgh's revitalization features a familiar theme: Boy from the provinces comes to the city to seek success. But, as in revitalization efforts around the country, the boy from the provinces — in this case, rural Maine — hopes to bring some small-town community to the city.

Spencer Gulliver and partners Andy Nunez and Paul Frydman's new Moo & Oink Gourmet Market at 102 Liberty St. serves specialty items, prepared foods and locally grown produce Gulliver hopes will nourish peoples' bodies and their need for community.

"That community involvement was something I really missed, especially growing up in a small town in Maine," he said.

The partners hope to contribute to the revitalization that has seen new shops opening in Newburgh in recent years, including Newburgh Artisans, Caffe Macchiato, Newburgh Art Supply, Simple Gifts and Goodies and The Palatine Shop.

"We wanted to create this nucleus of activity and hopefully spur some of the ritual activities of everyday life for locals," Gulliver said.

Like Gulliver, Michele Basch and her chef husband, Daniel Brown, were attracted by Newburgh's sense of possibility. In December or January, they will open The Wherehouse restaurant at 119 Liberty St.

"We felt that Newburgh, and especially Liberty Street, are at that tipping point that will be very exciting," Basch said. "We don't feel that Newburgh is going to feel the brunt of the economic problems because it never had its heydey in the '90s. It's been down and it's been fighting to get back."


Coming soon: desserts to die for
Gulliver and Basch cite invaluable help from city officials. Such city and community support also propelled Mary Lewis to launch Heart's Delight Bakery at 89 Liberty St.

Lewis, known as The Cheesecake Lady, started baking as a second income when she moved to Newburgh from Brooklyn seven years ago. People loved her desserts so much — sweet potato cheesecake and lemon pound cake, to name two — they encouraged her to open her own bakery.

"I'm a downtown girl with an uptown product," she said. Lewis is aiming for a soft opening Dec. 13.

"The community made this possible," she said. "They are my angels."

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