Broadway Event To Celebrate Kingston's Maker Community

A vacant storefront on Broadway will begin a new chapter in December when it becomes a showcase-temporarily—for all things made in Kingston. The former Ulster Lighting retail store at 572 Broadway will be transformed into an exhibit space for the Dec. 12 Made In Kingston event, a project of New Lights On Broadway LLC and the Business Alliance of Kingston.

"We're excited to be the new owners of this building that occupies a key spot on the Broadway corridor," said Joe Deegan, Deegan Sanglyn Real Estate and principal, New Lights On Broadway.

With his partner Bob Ryan, president of Ryan & Ryan Insurance, Deegan hopes to find a tenant who will add to the growing collection of businesses along Broadway that are arts oriented or complementary to Kingston's evolving arts scene. In the mean time, Deegan and Ryan wanted to take time out to celebrate the people and organizations who are making that happen.

Robert Tonner, founder of Tonner Dolls and president of Kingston Uptown Business Association, noted, "Kingston's arts community is expanding, which is good for Uptown because it is making ours a true destination city. We are very pleased to support this Midtown arts event."

Participants to date for the free 5:30 pm event include Tonner Dolls, Keegan Ales, At Home Antiques, Wishbone Letterpress, Blackcreek Mercantile & Trading Co., Art Craft Camera, Karmabee, Wishbone Letterpress, Pirate Upholstery, Jane Bloodgood-Abrams, Catskill Woodworking, Savona's Restaurant, Frank Guido's Little Italy, Agustsson Gallery, Louvel, On The Hill At Skilly, Dermot Mahoney's Pub, The Trolley Museum and Ulster County Tourism. Organizational support is coming from Kingston Uptown Business Association, the Rondout Business Association and the Kingston Midtown Business Association.

"It's exciting to see so many artists and arts manufacturers coming to Kingston," said Rebekah Milne , owner, At Home Antiques and member, Rondout Business Association. "This is a development we want to support and encourage, citywide."