Old Lakewood, New York
Much of Lakewood, NY has been swallowed up by the commercial sprawl that has consumed most of suburbia in the U.S. With Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday, Walmart on its main drag, along with a struggling mall featuring stores like J.C. Penny’s and Sears, it is a familiar scene. In fact, it is indistinguishable from similar strips that have now come to represent the American experience. Living in this setting can lead one who is tired of this unattractive layout to seek out authenticity and character.
The Village
A trip along Chautauqua Avenue into Old Lakewood is a breath of fresh air. When I head down toward the lake, I love to stop and peruse the shelves at Off The Beaten Path bookstore and then pick up one of the Rider’s Cup’s specialty coffees to go along with a good book that I either enjoy in house or outside. Alternatively, it can be refreshing to have a cup of the delicious, artisanal roasted coffee that Dan Wells crafts at Stedman Corners Coffee. With such pleasantly unique coffee shops, why would anyone spend the long-dollar at Starbucks?
Hartley Park
On many occasions I have sat in Hartley Park, where Chautauqua Avenue terminates. I’ve marveled at the park giving way to the picturesque view of Lake Chautauqua below. I have often sat there with a steaming cup of coffee, breathing in the fresh air and inspiration, thankful for this little corner of the world, which is still unspoiled by leviathans like Walmart.
Old World Attention to Detail
In Old Lakewood the attitude is refreshingly different. The vibe is something akin to what you’d find in a hip urban setting of Brooklyn or San Francisco with a pleasantly quaint feel. Two of the major reasons for this are thoughtfulness and community. The community cares about local businesses and going the extra mile. The thoughtfulness can be seen in every local business. You can experience it with the kind of care and quality of the haircuts at Indulge, or C’mon In Salon, which are far better than anything that Supercuts can offer. It can be seen in the careful consideration and attention to detail of the friendly staff at Lakewood Apothecary. They make every customer feel important, far beyond anything I have found at Rite Aid or CVS.
Experience this personal attention at any of the painstakingly crafted events held at Bag and String Wine Merchants. Here you will find selected wines and spirits which are meticulously described on hand-written tags that are fastened to each bottle. Just down the street is an aesthetically pleasing yoga and wellness center, Eight Limbs or choose the passion of a tailored-to-you work out center at Forge.
The area also boasts a handful of restaurants and Yesterdays anchors the bar scene. Craft Burgers and Brews is a good time restaurant and like its predecessor, Scallion Bistro, it is versatile enough for any occasion with well designed extras.
This little town, nestled near the shores of Lake Chautauqua, is a pleasant place to explore on foot during a sunny afternoon. In a nation that is rapidly transitioning from steel to plastic, Old Lakewood is different because it is a place where people hold on to what is important and true about locally owned small businesses.
