Cortlandt Kicks Off Shop Local Campaign for Local Merchants
In early June, Hilltop Farms in Croton will be celebrating its third anniversary, thanks to the support of local residents, according to owner Brian Panessa.
“The majority of customers are local. We are starting to pull from other communities as well,” said Panessa, who lives in Cortlandt. “I give local businesses a lot of credit. This economy has been a bear. It’s a challenge.”
Hilltop Farms, which is located on Route 9A off the Route 9 Montrose exit, was chosen by Cortlandt officials Friday to kick off the second annual “Shop“Local, Shop Cortlandt” campaign to encourage residents to support local merchants.
Supervisor Linda Puglisi said Cortlandt has about 240 small businesses owned and operated primarily by area taxpayers.
“Every day is shop local, shop Cortlandt and do business in our community also, which includes the villages of Croton and Buchanan,” Puglisi said.
Last year, the town promoted a shop Cortlandt weekend, but decided to expand it this year to a weeklong effort, which actually extends 10 days from April 20-29. During that time period many businesses are having special sales and offering discounts. A special Cortlandt “Information Bag,” which is available at Town Hall, Cortlandt Youth Center, Hendrick Hudson Library, Croton Library and the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, includes a shopper’s card that later be entered into a raffle for prizes.
“It is really great to support local businesses. Shop local all the time,” said Lauren Brady, assistant director of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce. “Visit places that maybe you have never been before.”
Panessa, who noted the next few months were his “make it or break it” time of the year, said he was honored to be the poster child for local businesses.
“I think it’s a wonderful program,” he said. “We’ve tried to create a destination for the community and a positive experience. Clearly everyone should support local businesses.”
By Rick Pezzullo
Adam has worked in the local news industry for the past two decades in Westchester County and the broader Hudson Valley. Read more from Adam’s author bio here.