Retail Roundup: Rhodadendron Moving; 2 New Flower Shops

Rhodadendron Moving to Pleasantville

After roughly five years in Chappaqua, clothing store Rhodadendron is heading next door to Pleasantville.

The shop, which is currently located in the Village Yard plaza at 144 King St., will close around April 15, according to owner Rhoda Gennarelli. The new location will be at 73 Wheeler Ave. a storefront across the street from Pleasantville Village Hall and just steps away from an array of shops.

The store is expected to reopen in Pleasantville later this month, Gennarelli confirmed.

The reason for moving is a sign of Rhodadendron's success.

"We needed a bigger location," Gennarelli said, adding that the store has outgrown the Chappaqua space.

With the new storefront, Gennarelli, a Chappaqua resident, hopes to retain the store's existing customer base while attracting new ones, such as Pace University students. Aside from running a local store, Gennarelli has a permanent clothing operation in Syracuse University's bookstore. She also has pop-up versions at several colleges.

Before it leaves Chappaqua, Rhodadendron is holding a moving sale with items 30 to 70 percent off.

Chappaqua Gets Two New Flower Shops

With spring comes flowers, and in Chappaqua's case it coincides with new flower shops, with two having opened recently. Both are owned by Chappaqua residents.

One shop, Art of FLOWERS, is located in Village Yard at 142 King St. It is owned by Tania Dainson, whose experience as a florist includes having worked at a flower shop in Geiger's Garden Center in Westport, CT and at Flower Cart in Fair Lawn, NJ. Dainson, who is originally from Russia, also has a background in landscape architecture.

Asked what it's like to run her own shop, Dainson said it's “exciting.” She chose to open her own business to pursue her own style.

Dainson, who gets shipments “pretty much every every" is considering adding more house plants and annuals. 

Art of FLOWERS can be reached at artofflowersny.com or 914-238-0508.

Meanwhile, Chappaqua BLOOMS opened on Saturday at 83 S. Greeley Ave. The store is owned by Suzanne Lodge, whose occupations have ranged from being an attorney to a girls lacrosse coach.

Lodge originally started her business last year as a home operation. She ha gotten positive feedback for the store.

“You know, I've gotten so much great, positive response – from being online and just word of mouth.”

Lodge described flowers as a long-time interest, noting that she took classes at the Botanical Garden. She also tries to stay up on the trends and heads to New York City twice a week for a flower market, where she also gets her flowers.

Chappaqua BLOOMS can be reached at chappaquablooms.com or 917-628-4690.

Starbase Closes

Starbase, a Mount Kisco shop that sold candy, other items, and had a vintage presentation, has closed, neighboring merchants confirmed. Starbase was located at 141 E. Main St. and its storefront is now empty.

Secret Society Halts, Citing Renovation

Secret Society, a Mount Kisco sneaker store at 137 E. Main St., has temporarily closed. Signage posted in the front states that the place is under renovation. In the meantime, people can call 914-299-1977.

Indian Restaurant Opening in Pleasantville

A new Indian restaurant is coming soon to Pleasantville's Wheeler Avenue, just a short walk from Rhodadendron's new site. Called Bhog, it will be opening later this month, according to signage posted on the building. Bhog is moving into 68 Wheeler Ave., the former site of Indian restaurant Bollywood Bistro.

RECAP: Chappaqua Crossing Hearings Set

The New Castle Town Board voted last Tuesday to schedule public hearings connected to the grocery and retail proposal for Chappaqua Crossing. The hearings will be held on April 23, 29 and possibly on April 30. They are in connection to an environmental review document and for rezoning legislation needed for the proposal, which calls for 120,000 square feet of retail space, including a grocery store of 36,000 to 66,000 square feet. To learn more, click here for our recent story.

RECAP: "Tails to Trails" Coming to Millwood

Downtown Millwood will get a big event next month. Call Tails to Trails, it involves a pet fair being held by Millwood Animal Hospital with pets that can be adopted from PetsAlive, according to Rob Greenstein, a founding official with the Chappaqua-Millwood Chamber of Commerce. Part of the event will take place along the North County Trailway, Greenstein said. The chamber is also backing the event, along with Drug Mart. It will be held on May 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. To learn more, click here for our coverage.