Old Style General Store Opens at Tilly Foster

A formal ribbon cutting at the store took place with (l-r) George Whipple, Dino LoBue, Mary Ellen Odell, Ann Fanizzi, Sheriff Don Smith and State Senator Vincent Leibell participating. ERIC GROSS It began as a vision, and now the General Store at Tilly Foster Farm is reality.

Last Saturday, among intermittent rain and snow showers, a ribbon was cut and the new store, located in an old barn, that carries seasonal merchandise officially opened.

The store was the dream of Putnam Legislator Dini LoBue, of Mahopac, who admitted being “extremely proud.”

Last year, LoBue met with George Whipple III of Kent who operates the farm for Putnam County on a long-term lease arrangement and suggested that he create a destination for tourism in Putnam County: “With the addition of the store, Tilly Foster has added a new dimension that adds to the Tractor Museum as well as the endangered heritage animals. This place has become a destination. Anyone driving past the farm on Route 312 must feel proud knowing that the farm is owned by the people of Putnam County.”

The next piece to the magnificent Tilly Foster Farm puzzle will be the creation of a new restaurant next year in a building currently housing the Putnam Arts Council. The council expects to relocate back to Mahopac in February once the new Belle Levine Arts Center that was destroyed by fire several years ago is rebuilt.

LoBue said the restaurant would be the “core component to making the farm self sufficient. Destination weddings have become a big niche these days. Having a wedding on the farm will be a home-run for our county.”

LoBue has worked for hotels, spas, and restaurants throughout the region: “From past experience, I know that people are attracted to beauty. In the past many of us had to travel to Dutchess or Westchester or Connecticut in order to get into the holiday spirit. Now thanks to the farm, Putnam County is back on the map.”

Michael Valerotti of Brewster, his fiancé

Kimberly Kavovit, and her niece, Kathryn, visited the store last weekend. Kimberly said the shop reminded her of visiting New England during the holidays.

Frank and Ali Jolly of Croton Falls also stopped by with their daughters, Ava, 6 and three-year-old Claire. “I love the place because it reminds me of yesteryear when life was much simpler,” said Frank Jolly.

The store, which is operated for Whipple by Brad Kuck of Whispering Pine Nursery, will be open on weekends year-round.