Press

Hyperbole Expands With an Artist-Run Gallery Space in Beacon

Hyperbole has teamed up with Super Secret Projects, a collective of local artists, to open a gallery space connected to the Beacon storefront.

By Sabrina Sucato, with additional reporting by Matt Moment January 18, 2023

We’re not being hyperbolic when we say Hyperbole is an essential stop for shopping local in the Hudson Valley. In fact, the sweet storefront on Beacon’s main drag is a hub for all things eye-catching. Whether it’s handmade Hudson Valley art, stylish shoes from sustainable makers, or sparkling baubles from independent artisans, Hyperbole probably has it. “With Hyperbole, our mission is to support people who make beautiful, original, and socially responsible products within the Hudson Valley and beyond,” say co-owners Andrea Podob and Carolyn Baccaro.

Prior to the opening of Hyperbole in the fall of 2019, both women were already committed to that mission, albeit in slightly different ways. On East Main Street, Baccaro was busy running Artifact, where she stocked art and jewelry from independent vendors. Over on Tioronda Avenue, meanwhile, Podob collected one-of-a-kind clothing and jewelry for her displays at Wares. Ironically, the two opened their respective storefronts within months of each other and maintained a commitment to support and sell small-batch, local products from the outset.

As fate—or the small-town magic of Beacon—would have it, the duo soon became acquaintances, and later, good friends. They bonded over their shared aesthetics, past careers, and shopping mentalities, not to mention the fact that they both owned small jewelry brands. At the same time, they realized the overlap had the makings of a harmonious partnership in the heart of Beacon. “We realized it would benefit both of us—and the artists whose work we carried—if we were to combine our two businesses and form one ‘superstore’ in a more central location on Beacon’s Main Street,” they explain. “Hyperbole is the happy result!”

A true fusion of the former businesses, Hyperbole is a one-stop shop for local, independent, and sustainable makers within the Hudson Valley and beyond. Displays range in nature from eco-chic dresses and sweaters to handcrafted bags, artisan-produced jewelry, and regional prints. The overall aesthetic is a dash of Brooklyn, a swirl of Hudson Valley, and 100-percent Instagram-perfect. “For shoppers, we want to make it easier to avoid fast fashion and cheaply made products,” they say. “We understand how much time and hard work goes into making a beautifully handcrafted piece, so we wanted to provide an outlet for fellow makers to sell their work.” The women may be serious about their “support small” mindset, but they want to keep the shopping experience fun for everyone. They chose the name Hyperbole both for its energy and as a comic reference to their tendency to make over-the-top statements about just how wonderful their community of artists and makers is.

Partnering With Super Secret Projects

In line with Hyperbole’s mission to support local makers, Podob and Baccaro have teamed up with Super Secret Projects, a collective of local emerging artists, to establish a gallery space conjoined to their storefront. Super Secret Projects is an artist-run initiative, affording its members more creative control in the display and sale of their work than they would have in a traditional gallery setting. “We already sell local art at our shop, but we wanted to expand on that and bolster the artistic community we love,” say Podob and Baccaro. “The gallery scene in Beacon is phenomenal. Even our local coffee shop, Big Mouth, is also a gallery. We hope that this new, artist-run gallery complements the existing scene.”

On January 14, the collective opened its first show, Duality, comprising photographs, paintings, sculptures, prints, and clothing by its members. A curious, yet compelling conceit of the inaugural exhibition is its focus on the body and its relationship to space. Evan Samuelson, for example, contributes an oil painting of a tightly cropped bust swathed in organic matter which inflicts a certain claustrophobia on its viewer. Alyssa T. Follansbee’s Taking a Bath, on the other hand, depicts a larger-than-life infant bathing in a waterfall—it is at once comical and profound. Dualities exist “within our experience as new parents, our battles with mental health, our self-image,” says collective member Allegra Jordan. “We [created] an environment where each participant—artist and audience alike—[is] able to walk through and see their own multitudes reflected back at them.”

Duality will be on view through February 4, followed by two consecutive solo shows. Both Hyperbole and the gallery are open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Artists may apply to join the collective online.

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A Guide to Beacon, NY

When people ask us where to take a day trip, we always recommend Beacon — and when they ask us where to spend a weekend off the MetroNorth, we always recommend Beacon.

The city has been an Escaper’s destination for well over a decade, with top-notch shopping, hiking, dining, and some of the best contemporary art on the East Coast. In the last few years, though, Beacon’s Main Street has exploded with new boutiques, restaurants, bars, and cafes along its many-block length...

...After trekking Beacon’s trails, you’ll want to trek its lengthy Main Street, where, as mentioned, Beacon’s shopping scene has soared. Our favorite store is Berte, an expertly curated home decor and lifestyle shop that features items made by local and international artisans. Stop in for some swoon-worthy tabletop pieces or the loveliest paper goods. For plant parents and botanical babes, Flora Good Times is the best plant and flower shop in town. Kaight is Beacon’s sartorial destination, selling sustainably-made clothing from independent labels — a haven for conscious consumers. If you’re looking for adornment, check out the fine jewelry shop King + Curated; or if you’re looking for some self-care, Beacon Mercantile is a must. Part apothecary, part parfumerie, everything at Beacon Mercantile is handcrafted in small batches with natural ingredients. The Last Outpost is great for menswear and leather and camping goods, and Hyperbole is a great place to source art that won’t break the bank — plus they have gorgeous candles, cute clothes, and thoughtful gifts. And Afton Road is the ceramics shop of your dreams, where the owner actually throws pots in the shop’s main retail space.

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New Art Gallery Opens in Beacon "Super Secret Projects" Through the Hallway of Hyperbole - Open 7 Days

A new art gallery called Super Secret Projects has opened down the hallway behind the boutique Hyperbole at 484 Main Street on the east end of Main Street near the mountain. Says Carolyn Baccaro, co-owner of the space: “We did a small renovation, and now you can walk right through the shop. We're also open 11am-6pm daily, so this is a full-time art gallery in Beacon, yay!!”

The creator of Super Secret Projects, Diana Vidal, likens the space to a speakeasy since one accesses it by walking through the boutique and down a hallway to get to the gallery, she told the Highlands Current. The co-owners of Hyperbole, Carolyn Baccaro and Andrea Podob are known for their collaboration with business and artistic projects, which have involved a pop-up shop at A Little Beacon Blog’s former space before they opened their own shops Artifact Beacon and Wares (which merged into Hyperbole), and a partnership with Beacon Mercantile who later opened a storefront on Main Street until she needed to move out to help a family member with their health.

About “Duality”

The 100% artist-run and curated space will host a public reception for their first group show, “Duality,” on Saturday, January 14th, from 7pm to 10pm at 484 Main Street. The exhibition, which runs through February 4th, will feature the work of local artists Alyssa Follansbee, Darya Golubina, Allegra Jordan, Yunmee Kyong, Elin Lundman, Evan Samuelson, and Diana Vidal.

According to the press release: “Conventionally, duality is defined as an instance of opposition or contrast between two aspects of something. Within this exhibition, we will endeavor to creatively explore the multitude of ways that the conceptual ideas of duality identify themselves within our existential outlook, history, and approach to the world. Like two sides of a coin, or interchangeable roles, a dichotomy of reality exists within us all. The work shown here is our reconciliation.”

About Super Secret Projects

Super Secret Projects is an artist-run initiative created to foster community and facilitate opportunities for emerging and mid-career artists to collaborate, experiment, and share their work. Visitors can peruse fresh and exciting local art 7 days a week from 11am to 6pm with new exhibits every month.

Follow @HyperboleNY and @SuperSecretProjects on Instagram for more details.

To apply for membership, apply to the Open Call for artists, or sign up for a workshop course, visit www.SuperSecretProjects.com.

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Believe the 'Hype' About Hyperbole

By Kat Merry, Contributor | 

Carolyn Baccaro, left, and Andrea Podob of Beacon’s hyperboleCarolyn Baccaro, left, and Andrea Podob of Beacon’s Hyperbole (Photo by K. Merry)

Competitors join forces in fashion/art mashup

Andrea Podob and Carolyn Baccaro, the owners of Hyperbole, an eclectic retail shop on Beacon’s Main Street, were perfect strangers when each moved to the city in 2016. Both women, however, arrived in town with a zeal for entrepreneurship and a mission to open their own retail store.

The following spring, Podob opened her shop, Wares, on Tioronda Avenue and just a month later, Baccaro opened Artifact Beacon on East Main Street. Catering to a similar clientele, and just a short walk apart, the two became familiar with each other’s storefronts right away.

“Andrea’s store featured more clothing and fashion, and mine was more focused on art,” Baccaro recalls.

“We hadn’t officially met yet and, sure, we were competitors, but I just remember how much I loved her stuff!” said Podob.

Though they chose to highlight different products in their stores, both shared a mission to carry products from local artists and makers, with a focus on sustainability.

“Since our stores and missions kind of complemented each other in that way, we definitely started to notice an overlap in our customer base,” said Baccaro.

After running into each other a few times and paying visits to each other’s shops, the two began discussing the challenges of running a store alone, as well as their shared dream of a centrally located space on Main Street — something neither could afford individually.

Baccaro recounts that “those conversations kept happening as we got to know each other.”

As they shared trials as budding shop owners, the two became friends, and the progression to business partners happened naturally and “very quickly,” said Podob. “It just clicked one day. We were competitors, but instead of fighting it out, we thought, ‘Why don’t we just do this together?’ ”

So, in October 2019, only a short while after Wares and Artifact had opened, both women closed up shop and together sought a new space on Main Street. The hardest part, according to the women, was coming up with a name for their store. They spent weeks trying to combine the names of their old stores.

“One day we thought, what is a word that means the best store ever, with the best products ever?” said Baccaro, “and we chose Hyperbole!”

But the transition from competitors to friends to business partners brought challenges besides creating a name. Their combined shop, Hyperbole, opened at 484 Main St. just months before the pandemic shutdown. It also coincided with Baccaro giving birth to her first child. The time became a testament to their bond as friends and their ability to weather challenges as entrepreneurs.

“I was so grateful for Andrea at that time,” said Baccaro. “Suddenly having to close our doors [due to the pandemic] and me starting a family, it was so hard for both of us in different ways. I’m so grateful to have had a partner through all of that.”

The two also dived into uncharted territory when, like most smaller retailers, they were forced to pivot to digital sales during the early months of the pandemic.

“It was pretty crazy to go all-digital, but it did allow us to build up that part of our business. We couldn’t have done that alone,” said Podob. “We had to work together in a new way, to reach customers that hadn’t ever walked into our store.”

As social distancing restrictions began to ease, the doors to hyperbole opened for good, hopefully, in March. That’s when the advantages of combining their efforts became most evident.

“We had so much customer overlap at Wares and Artifact,” said Podob, “and we noticed that so many people followed us here from the old stores.”

Another striking advantage is the unique shopper’s experience they have created at hyperbole. Since combining their passions of art and fashion, the duo can offer in-depth knowledge about all the products in their store.

Shopping for a piece of art? Baccaro has details about the local artists and can assist in picking out complementary pieces. With clothing, Podob can recount where she sources vintage pieces or the independent artisans that create the store’s jewelry.

“Curating the store was definitely the easiest part, and the most fun. We love focusing on the experience for our customers and introducing them to unique and locally sourced pieces,” said Baccaro.

It’s hard to pinpoint one thing that makes hyperbole a success, but in their opinions, dedication to the customer and the local makers they feature has been essential. “Even when we had our own stores and were competitors, we supported each other. We really balance each other and it’s kind of crazy how it all worked out,” said Baccaro.

Hyperbole, at 484 Main St., is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call 845-478-4064 or visit HyperboleNY.com. 

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Clothing That Lasts 

By Kat Merry, Contributor | August 26, 2022

The vintage rack at Hyperbole (Photos by K. Merry)

Local boutiques promote sustainability

For Stephanie Doucette, putting together an outfit each morning is as essential as that first cup of coffee. 

“Clothes say so much about who you are,” says Doucette, a designer who owns a women’s boutique bearing her name on Main Street in Cold Spring. “There is so much power in choosing what to wear every day.”

Doucette’s designs not only boast color, flair and quality; every garment she makes is sustainable, meaning it is designed, manufactured and distributed in ways that minimize environmental impacts. 

After decades working in the fashion industry, Doucette says she had seen enough of the waste produced by mass-marketed clothing. In 2005, she launched a line of “rescued” fabrics and timeless silhouettes custom-made in the garment district of New York City. “I know every hand that touches each garment,” she says.

In the years since, she has noticed a steady growth in clientele (70 percent of her customers are return buyers) and competition. 

Just across the street in Cold Spring is Jacqueline Azria’s boutique, Paulette, which opened in early 2020. Azria says she prioritizes sustainable brands, noting that “customers are starting to pay attention to the story behind my products.”

One of her most popular suppliers, Altiplano, is based in Guatemala and manufactures garments using recycled materials and natural dyes. The company also funds local education and nutrition programs.

The brand is a bit pricy, but “my customers develop a connection to the story and the mission, so they feel confident spending a little extra money,” Azria says.

If price is a deal breaker, some residents have adopted another strategy to promote sustainability: thrifting. Maeve Allen, an artist, says she cares about her fashion footprint but has found sustainable brands are usually out of her price range. So she developed “a knack for finding gems” at thrift and consignment shops.

“There is so much pollution caused by polyester and other synthetic fabrics, so I’ve stopped shopping for ‘fast fashion’ as much as possible,” Allen says. She frequents Blackbird Attic, a consignment store in Beacon.

Another thrifter, Jason LaRochelle, shares an affinity for Blackbird Attic, which has a men’s section. He’s happy to splurge for a sustainably made item once in a while. “Money comes and goes, so put it toward the better choice,” he advises. 

Judiann Romanello joined the movement in 2020 when she opened Damn Aged Vintage in Cold Spring, which stocks higher quality, secondhand finds. “I dig through people’s basements to rescue clothing that would otherwise end up in a landfill,” she says. 

Before opening, Romanello had developed a following on Instagram, where she sold seasoned treasures from her Manhattan apartment. Opening a storefront was a triumph, she says, because it gave her more space and creative agency, allowing her to reach customers in what had been her favorite Hudson Valley locale. 

Romanello notes that her business is more than putting decades-old garments on a hanger. She selects inventory that will hold up over time and restores, deep cleans and repairs each item. 

At Hyperbole in Beacon, owners Andrea Podob and Carolyn Baccaro stock an impressive collection of vintage and thrifted pieces, along with sustainable brands. “Sustainability can mean a lot of things, but for us, the question we ask when searching for unique products is, ‘Was this thoughtfully produced?’ ” says Baccaro.

Making sustainable choices can be intimidating, Podob says, who compares it to the rigors of detox. Avoiding fast fashion “is like switching your diet from junk food,” she says.

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6 Hudson Valley Shops & Boutiques to Visit this Fall 

The Hudson Valley shopping landscape has emerged resplendent and lively from the challenges of the pandemic, with new residents and visitors energizing decades-old legacy shops and inspiring wildly creative new ventures. The wares will enhance your life and the experiences will feed your soul.

Canvas + Clothier | Poughkeepsie

Mary Vaughn Williams of Hudson Clothier and Jillian Grano of Utility Canvas call their retail collaboration a micro-department store, updating the best qualities of brick-and-mortar with sustainable next wave sensibilities, offering practical, high-quality, US-made clothing and home goods in the heart of Poughkeepsie. Downstairs in the handsome 19th-century building, there's a coffee shop and sustainably manufactured, fashionable clothing from Hudson Clothier; upstairs, you'll find 2,000 square feet of bed linens, pillows, and textiles designed and manufactured by New York City-based Utility Canvas.

A. L. Stickle Variety Store | Rhinebeck

has been in the same family since Grandpa A. L. came home from the Navy after WWII, making Rhinebeck one of the only places anywhere to find a store that vibes like a Woolworth's Five and Dime of old and has stuff you haven't seen in forever: Silly Putty, Slinkies, Lincoln Logs, and the original Wooly Willies with the little magnetic wand and the iron filings. Then there are the nostalgic, immensely practical home goods, like lingerie wash bags and Lava soap. The current generation of Stickles, knowing they have a gem, leans into the whimsy and community involvement.

Westerlind | Millerton, Kingston, Great Barrington

Westerlind, with three outposts in the region, is the creation of Andrea Westerlind, part of the third generation of a prominent Swedish design family and a wildly passionate, discerning seeker of the best-in-class for any given product. Westerlind curates outdoor gear and apparel items that are built to last and are casually chic, as well as cleanly designed yet cozy home goods, linens and candles, rugs, pillows and soft throws, all of it manifesting "a thoughtful offering and a left-of-center attitude," says Westerlind. The Millerton location also features the Westerlind Pantry, with fresh bread, prepared foods, local produce, pantry staples, beer, and cider.

Finch | Hudson

Finch is a dream made real by Andrew Arrick and his husband, Michael Hofemann. Arrick's spent two decades on the front lines of luxe design and retail working with brands like Yves Saint Laurent, Celine, Carolina Herrera, and Vera Wang. Hofemann has an equally strong financial and marketing background, and both men adore traveling the world and sourcing treasures: sleek Scandinavian furnishings, choice antiques, fine textiles. Writing in Upstate House, Kathleen Willcox described Finch as offering "that sizzle of sensual pleasure that can upgrade a day of casual browsing into a memorable, even artful experience."

Hyperbole | Beacon

 

Hyperbole is literally next-level Beacon retail. Two jewelry designers, complete strangers, both moved to the little city from the big one in 2018. Carolyn Bacarro opened Artifact, Andrea Podob opened Wares. They soon became aware of each other as neighbors who shared quite a few loyal customers in common and joined forces as Hyperbole, where you'll find fine art, comfortable, colorful and well-made casual wear hats, bags, and shades and sustainably made artisan jewelry. The emphasis is on small-batch, independent, emerging artists and designers.

Newburgh Vintage Emporium Warehouse | Newburgh

Newburgh Vintage Emporium Warehouse was celebrated in August by the New York Times as the antidote to "shopping the same old vintage." There are actually two stores: over 45 vendors in 11,000 square feet on Route 9W in the original Newburgh Vintage Emporium, offering vintage and antique collectibles, decor, and furniture and old-school candy, and the gloriously vast warehouse, over 75 dealers of vintage, antiques, furniture, curiosities, as well as repurposed and locally made goods. There are antiques from 18th-century and mid-century modern furniture, architectural salvage, and a vintage clothing "shop-in-shop."

Handmade and More | New Paltz 

Handmade and More has been deservedly thriving in New Paltz for over 40 years as a destination for artful womenswear, handmade ceramics, jewelry, intelligent toys for kids that won't break the bank, and clever and beautifully designed greeting cards. If you need a present for a special person, the staff will advise on gift selection and wrap it beautifully. If you're hankering for a new look, they'll gladly help you perfect it and accessorize it with the perfect bag, scarf, or earrings. Originally founded as an outlet for the wares of local makers, the store now casts a wider net in sourcing, but the warm, community-centered sensibility is unchanged. 

Shops at Jones Farm | Cornwall

The Shops at Jones Farm in Cornwall are a multifaceted complex on a historic farm. You can shop the General Store for fine artisanal foods like handmade quiche from Pika's Farm Table, Coyote Kitchen jams, caramels from Hudson Valley Chocolates, and Perry's Pickles alongside raw local honey, eggs, maple syrup and New York State cheese. You can savor scratch-baked goods from Grandma Phoebe's Kitchen or grab breakfast or lunch at the cafe, then shop Clearwaters Gift Shop for room after room of furniture and home decor, children's toys, jewelry, clothing and accessories, candles and more, all displayed in a renovated dairy barn.

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Hi Carolyn & Andrea, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

Hyperbole is founded on the belief that the absolute best products on earth are the ones that make you feel good about shopping: made by real people, designed with purpose, and unique to your style. Our mission is to curate a fun collection of artwork, clothing, and jewelry while connecting new, emerging artists with a larger audience.

After three years in business, we developed close personal relationships with many local artists who sell at our shop. Diana Vidal and Alyssa Follansbee are two of our favorites. Working together, we’ve expanded our business to include a new gallery space for a local art collective called Super Secret Projects. SSP has allowed a group of like-minded visual artists to collaborate and show their work in a more formal gallery setting.

Diana, a photographer and collage artist with experience in gallery management and curation, is SSP’s director and has spearheaded the effort. Together, we have created a unique place for everyone to enjoy, from amateur artists and casual visitors to experienced collectors looking for fresh new talent.

What should our readers know about your business?

We’re a brick-and-mortar shop supporting independent artists and emerging designers in the Hudson Valley, New York (juuuust north of NYC). We carry an assortment of original artwork, thoughtfully designed clothing, and sustainably produced jewelry with an emphasis on small batch production with a one-of-a-kind vibe (and a lot of times, they truly are).

Our products are made by real, hyper-talented people doing their best to produce quality goods as thoughtfully and responsibly as they can- and we love them for it! Our mission is to showcase their work and introduce them to consumers with like-minded values. Almost everything you’ll find in our store was made by an actual, super-talented person doing their best to produce quality goods with integrity and consideration for unnecessary waste.

It’s incredibly fun to curate our assortment and a privilege to introduce customers to a bevy of hard-working makers and play a small role in supporting their work.

Hyperbole is the lovechild of two previous storefronts- as co-owners, we originally owned separate stores with the same goal of supporting artists and curating a cool collection of thoughtfully designed and produced clothing and jewelry -that ultimately joined forces to form one superstore. Because you know what? Running a business by yourself kind of sucks. Especially when your friend is running a really cool one right next door and you have to compete- so why not, not do that?

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to? 

There are too many great places in Beacon to name, but some of our favorite local spots are Happy Valley Arcade Bar (run by artist Alyssa Follansbee and her husband, Johnny Coughlin!), Solstad House (great gifts!), Binnacle Books, Flora Good Times, Paul Brady Wine, and Wonderbar.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

We’d like to give a shoutout to our amazing shop manager, Julia Zivic. A super talented singer/songwriter (check her out on Spotify!) and the person who helps us manage every little detail from shopkeeping duties to email marketing and event management. We love her and are super lucky to have her on our team.

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The owners of Artifact and Wares partner on Hyperbole, a storefront mashup that spotlights Hudson Valley creatives and independent makers.

Sabrina Sucato 

Word of the day: Hyperbole

Definition: An extravagant exaggeration

Alternative definition: A gorgeous, women-owned gift shop in Beacon

We’re not being hyperbolic when we say it’s nothing less than lovely, either. In fact, the sweet storefront on Main Street is a hub for all things eye-catching. Whether its handmade Hudson Valley art, stylish shoes from sustainable makers, or sparkling baubles from independent artisans, Hyperbole probably has it.

“With Hyperbole, our mission is to support people who make beautiful, original, and socially responsible products within the Hudson Valley and beyond,” say co-owners Andrea Podob and Carolyn Baccaro.

Prior to the opening of Hyperbole in October, both women were already committed to that mission, albeit in slightly different ways. On East Main Street, Baccaro was busy running Artifact, where she stocked art and jewelry from independent vendors.

Over on Tioronda Avenue, meanwhile, Podob collected one-of-a-kind clothing and jewelry for her displays at Wares. Ironically, the two opened their respective storefronts within months of each other and maintained a commitment to support and sell small-batch, local products from the outset.

As fate — or the small-town magic of Beacon — would have it, the duo soon became acquaintances and later friends. They bonded over their shared aesthetics, past careers, and shopping mentalities, not to mention the fact that they both owned small jewelry brands (Baccaro crafts Rock Dove Jewelry while Podob own Podobena). At the same time, they realized the overlap had the makings of a harmonious partnership in the heart of Beacon.

“We realized it would benefit both of us — and the artists whose work we carried — if we were to combine our two businesses and form one ‘superstore’ in a more central location on Beacon’s Main Street,” they explain. “Hyperbole is the happy result!”

Since the women live in Beacon, they chose to open the shop within walking distance of their abodes in order to tap into the city’s strong artisan presence and bustling weekend scene. After closing Artifact and Wares, both of which were on the outskirts of town, they opened the doors to their new Main Street location on October 12.

A true fusion of the former businesses, Hyperbole is a one-stop shop for local, independent, and sustainable makers within the Hudson Valley and beyond. Displays range in nature from eco-chic dresses and sweaters to handcrafted bags, artisan-produced jewelry, and regional prints. The overall aesthetic is a dash of Brooklyn, a swirl of Hudson Valley, and 100-percent Instagram-perfect.

“For shoppers, we want to make it easier to avoid fast fashion and cheaply made products,” they say. “As jewelry designers ourselves, we understand how much time and hard work goes into making a beautifully handcrafted piece, so we wanted to provide an outlet for fellow makers to sell their work without going broke at expensive NYC makers’ markets or having to outsource production.”

A #thinklocal operation, Hyperbole is just as much of a destination to support Hudson Valley artisans as it is to savor the warm, creative spirit that thrums through Beacon. Baccaro and Podob make a point to welcome each and every customer who steps foot inside the shop, just as they carve out time to speak with their featured artists and learn the stories behind the brands they carry. Depending on the day, that could mean chatting about the inspiration behind one of Johnny Defeo’s works or explaining exactly how Salt + Umber’s sustainable footwear comes together.

“We like it when people pop in and hang out. That’s why we offer our guests a beer and invite their dogs to come shopping, too,” they explain. “We know where every piece came from, how it was made, and who made it.

The women may be serious about their “support small” mindset, but they want to keep the shopping experience fun for everyone. They chose the name Hyperbole both for its energy and as a comic reference to their tendency to make over-the-top statements about just how wonderful their community of artists and makers is.

Now that Hyperbole is officially up and running in Dutchess County, Baccaro and Podob are excited to transform visits to the store into full-blown experiences. Looking ahead, they hope to roll out pop-ups and classes in which visitors can meet featured artisans and learn new skills. To keep things local, they’ll also collaborate with neighboring shops like Pavonine Yoga and use their in-store bar to host events. Throughout it all, they’ll continue accepting applications from artists and designers who think their works would be a good fit at the shop.

“We want to create a shopping experience that feels personal and fun,” they explain.

And that’s no overstatement.

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11 Fantastic Things To Do In Beautiful Beacon, New York

Sage Scott | December 15, 2022

8. Main Street

Just half a mile east of the Beacon train station, Main Street is the lifeline of town, with the majority of Beacon’s shops and restaurants lining both sides. Fuel up with a latte or cappuccino at Bank Square Coffeehouse, then stroll and shop for about a mile. Some of my favorite stops are Zakka Joy, Beacon Bath & Bubble, Hyperbole, and Berte

Featured In

HYperbole

484 Main Street
Beacon, NY 12508

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