Whispered Dreams
The hand of fate has brought the three owners of this place of magic, psychic healing, and metaphysical supplies to 12 Market Street.
Sandy Cuthbert, her son, Brian, and their friend, John Simone were forced to leave their previous shop in uptown Kingston when the building owner sold it. Before that they occupied a space in Stone Ridge.
The three are mediums, and Whispered Dreams is Saugerties’ first full-service psychic reading shop. They read Tarot Cards, use a crystal ball, crystals, spirit guides, hold séances and let you talk to your spirit angel. Simone also reads tea leaves. They have a licensed massage therapist, and Reiki practitioner on-site.
Simone said he began doing readings while a student at Highland High School. Sandy, who also attended Highland High School, learned as a young girl that she had the power to be a medium, and her son, also a Highland High School graduate, developed the power and the skills as well.
“I’ve been seeing spirits since I was five,” Brian said.
After having watched psychic John Edwards on TV, the mother and son decided to open a shop of their own in Stone Ridge. They later met Simone, who Sandi said she only found out later had ridden on the same school bus, but they had never really known each other while at Highland High School.
In addition to readings, and a host of jewelry, incense, gothic products, and essential oils, the shop also offers workshops.
So far business is going well.
“We heard that Saugerties was an up-and-coming town, with a lot of tourism and events,” said Sandy. “It’s perfect here. There’s plenty of foot traffic, which is an important part of our business.”
For a list of products offered and a list of workshops, contact them at 247-3330 or online at www.whispered-dreams.com. The shop is open seven days a week from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Odds & Ends
It’s easy to see how this shop at 228B Main Street got its name – it’s full of odd and ends, said Harry Rustad, who owns the shop with his wife, Margaret. He’s laughing.
Both are lifelong residents of Saugerties. “We had been collecting stuff for years,” Harry explained, “about 20 years, so we had plenty of stuff to sell.”
The store is chock-a-block full of Beanie Babies (something Margaret collected), train sets, baseball cards (those are from Harry), models, and a host of other odd and ends.
“We decided to open up here,” Harry said, “because this is where we grew up, and Saugerties has always been a Mecca for antique and collectable shops.”
Harry said there is very little competition among the shops because “we all offer different items.”
Much like the folks at Whispered Dreams, Harry says the town’s status as special events capital of the area and as a tourist destination have helped to make the business a success.
Odds & Ends is open Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., but will stay open later when there are special events, such as the upcoming Sawyer Motors Car Show.
Ruyi
The name of Saugerties’ newest restaurant means “May Your Wishes Come True,” and for three 20-somethings from China, that wish is owning a business in America.
“This is our American dream restaurant,” said Vincent Chen, who along with his wife and sister own the shop.
Vincent is the sushi and Japanese food chef while his father Laingfei Chen takes care of the Chinese and Thai food at this Asian fusion restaurant at 152 West Bridge Street.
And if comments made by one customer the day of the interview is any indication of the quality of food, this place should soon take off. “It’s the best Thai curry outside New York City,” raved Tom Moretti of Woodstock.
The trio came to America a number of years ago and moved to Kingston. The restaurant at the bottom of West Bridge Street for as long as anyone can remember has been a Chinese restaurant, and when the former owner, who was friends with the Chens, let them know that he was looking to sell, they scooped the place up.
“We had to,” Vincent said. “Just look at the view out the back windows.” The rear of the restaurant backs up on the Esopus Creek and has one of the nicest views in Saugerties.
“We just saw the view, it’s so beautiful,” he said.
The restaurant is open seven days a week, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., with take-out and a full bar. Call 247-8828.
