Shop til you . . . sing! Roxbury offers something for everyone on your list
Caveat Emptor: this is too much fun to be holiday shopping!
If you have friends on your list who've never ventured north of the Round Barn (are you, perhaps, one of 'those people' yourself?), do we have a great idea for you: holiday shopping in the historic hamlet of Roxbury on Route 30. With several new establishments opening their doors in the past year alone, you'll find more delightful serendipity here than you can shake a walking stick at. Soon you'll sound like a broken record: "I didn't realize they had that in Roxbury!"
Most of Roxbury's boutiques, shops and galleries are conveniently clustered within easy walking distance, and even better, they're interspersed with shop-o-holic fuel: eateries with everything from paninis to pancakes, soup to bar nuts. Toast your toes when you're weary with a pick-me-up from such cozy dens as Oasis Coffee and Tea in the historic Corner Store or the cheeky Public Lounge around the corner on Bridge Street. (You'll laugh at the names of Andrew's speciality cocktails even if it's too early to sample one yet. Have an espresso!)
And don't get too comfortable — you have shopping to do. You could start with gift certificates for the shy socialites on your list to the Public or Oasis or other fine Roxbury eateries, the T-Bar, Fane's Family Deli, The East Branch or Tastebuds. (Just think, you'll need to try all of them to see what ambience suits the picky gourmands on your list!)
For the truly discriminating, let them know you have excellent taste as well. The Enderlin Gallery has a special showing of more than 20 artists for the holidays, featuring "Functional Art & Design" for those who like to integrate art and beauty into everyday life. For the under-three set, Roxbury Baby makes the ultimate statement in retro chic ("You found this adorable outfit — in the Catskills?!") You can shatter a few stereotypes among your set while you shop.
For your outdoorsy friends, get them on the slopes "family style" at Plattekill Mountain, where the fun includes snow tubing, extreme winter sports and lessons for those new to the slopes. Friends who don't like winter temps will appreciate an early membership in Shephard Hills Golf Course, hands down the most stupendous views on any fairway, anywhere.
Not feeling in the spirit this year? Quarltere's Garden & Marketplace will get you in the mood with its fully stocked Christmas shop (it's a great place to get your tree — and kissing balls!). They've got the ideal gift for any green thumb in your bunch, but Quarltere's is also branching out into outerwear by Dri Duck and other leading names, fire pits, outdoor furniture, and they have a lovely selection of birdhouses. That irresistible christmas tree smell comes for free with your shopping experience.
Nothing says "country" like our antiques, and you can sample a marvelous selection of them at Rick's Antiques on Route 30 just south of the village. Rick's isn't in a Main Street storefront because it takes a whole barn, and then some, to hold his comprehensive selection. You may have to ask "What was this for?" but you can make up your own use for that doughboard once it's in your living room! You can also shop for antiques right in the village at Roxbury Antiques, an in-house antiques emporium right on the north end of Main Street.
Not every talented professional and artisan in Roxbury has a storefront though. How many families on your list would love to have a family portrait? Get them off their duffs with a gift certificate to Catskill Images photography. Jill Ribich's work adorns the official Roxbury Web site and the Catskill Mountain News on a regular basis and she's not just talented with people: you can send your favorite pooch person a pet portrait session they'll treasure forever.
In fact, what could be better than giving a whole day in Roxbury? That's easily accomplished with a gift certificate to the award-winning Roxbury Motel. Travellers from all over the globe have singled out this boutique country lodging as one of the finest in the world, from its heavenly pillow-top mattresses to its fun sense of color and design to that Ghirardelli white cocoa for breakfast, the Roxbury ensures that every moment of your lodging experience fulfills even your most unreasonable expectations.
Perhaps the quintessential Roxbury experience would be the Romantic Surrey Ride down Roxbury's Main Street in an authentic 1890s velvet-lined hansom. At $50, this Victorian fantasy-come-true makes an embarrassingly affordable gift for any hopeless romantic (or maybe a couple who could use a dash of magic about now?) "Be My Valentine" Surrey Rides are also on offer on February 10 — its perfect stepping off place to start planning your romantic Roxbury weekend getaway on the Presidents' Day weekend.
Take the Roxbury shop-o-rama challenge on Saturday, Dec. 2, and you're in for a special treat: Roxbury Official Tree Lighting at 5 p.m. and Christmas Caroling on a horse drawn Victorian hotel coach with hot cocoa and cookies supplied by the cub scouts. (Santa and his Elf will be in charge of the merriment, so you'd better be nice and leave naughty to the elf.)
Whether you like your holiday spirits newfangled or traditional, you'll rediscover the true joys of the season — without the stress — in Roxbury. Come get in the Christmas spirit and do some real damage to that long shopping list while you're at it. For any questions or advice about holiday events and offerings in Roxbury, stayed tuned to this website or call Roxbury's Community Resources director at 607 326-3722.