Mansion and Reed: Local Gourmet Goods and Hudson Valley Hospitality
Mansion and Reed, tucked below a beautiful guest house in a quiet Hudson Valley town, looks like a general store you'd find in a picture book. With an old-fashioned front door painted robin's egg blue, a navy facade, and cherry red accents, the color palette seems drawn from children's literature.
The groceries and goods are carefully stacked and the shelving is covered in prettily hand-written chalkboard ink, as though a kindergarten teacher lovingly labeled each and every item.
Here, the carefully curated selection of small batch bitters and locally poured candles reminds me of Williamsburg's Upstate Stock, but the prices are way lower here in Coxsackie and the staff is friendlier, too. Mansion and Reed has the stock of a gourmet grocer, paired with the country store warmth you'd find at Lawyer's General Store in East Durham.
A couple of antique tables make it a cozy spot to grab a coffee and a cookie, or choose a bite from the new sandwich menu, while chatting with the owners. My six-year-old son, Archer, was relaying every detail of his recent visit to the Zoom Flume to co-proprietress Lia Post, when -- in a fairy tale moment -- her twin, Justine, arrived for a shift change, wearing a similar pair of stylishly framed glasses and the same exact smile. Yes! This delightful shop and the inn upstairs are run by twin sisters, who make art and write poetry in their spare time. Both women have spent some time in New York City and moved to Coxsackie in 2015. The whole scenario is a storybook waiting to happen.
Much of the stock, from hot sauces and sausages to cocktail-ready simple syrups and saltwater taffy, is sourced locally. (And if you need some booze to mix with the simple syrup, Reed Street Bottle Shop is right across the street!)
In the fridge, we were spotted some Vegenaise and upstate New York cheese. On the shelves, we found prettily packaged hand soaps and candles. I'm burning the peppery-woodsy campfire candle as I write. (Candle nerds, take note: It cost $16.50, which is cheaper than buying it directly from Hudson Naturals! And about half the cost of a smaller candle from Upstate Stock!)
While the charming Coxsackie Farmer's Market takes its winter break, Mansion and Reed is the best place in town to pick up some local goodness. Let's all shop here so the Post sisters can live happily ever after.
Mansion and Reed is located at 45 Reed Street in Coxsackie, NY. Shop hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10am to 7pm, and Sundays from 11am to 6pm; closed Mondays. Check their helpful website for updated info, photos of their gorgeous guest suites, and tips on local things to do. We also love their Facebook page and delicious Instagram feed!
