Petition to Preserve the Spot Formerly Known as Guinan's Pub & Country Store



A petition is now online strongly encouraging the shareholders of Garrison Station Plaza, which owns the building formerly-known as Guinan's, to include a new store in their renovation plans.

While several members support this idea, the board is also considering converting the building into all office space and/or apartments or other configurations with no cafe or store, according to people familiar with the plans. The board already has turned down a proposal to build a new cafe from former Guinan's regular, Mary Ellen Yannitelli. No specific explanation was given. (See this Journal-News article by Barbara Nackman for more.)

Many residents, myself included, and tourists who've visited Garrison's Landing feel that to not include a public gathering spot here would deprive the town of a much-needed resource in a critical location for commuters, Garrison Art Center patrons and talent, cadets, tourists, boaters, Landing businesses and other citizens.

The petition is a move to persuade the board to consider these voices in their meeting this Saturday, June 14th at 10 a.m. at the Desmond-Fish Library. Already, more than 650 people have included their names and comments, including former New York Governor George Pataki and his wife Libby.

I am a member of the Committee to Preserve Community on Garrison's Landing, and I strongly encourage all who care about this historic strip on the Hudson River, to please sign.

There are no doubt renovations and potentially costly upgrades that must be done to this building, originally erected in the mid-to-late 1800s. However, before such work begins, it's important to take a deep breath and investigate configurations that would sustain both a public-use venue, as well as other spaces that would fulfill the board's stated desire to look at ex-Guinan's with a "fresh eye."

Again, please take a moment to sign the petition and cast your vote on the side of preserving a very symbolic piece of disappearing small town America.

Photos by Kelly Guinan. All Rights Reserved.

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