by Bill Batson
You could eat your heart out at the Culinary Institute of America. But why leave Nyack? We now have our own culinary & hospitality school thanks to Rockland Community College. Harnessing the energy of a restaurant scene in Nyack that had reached over 50 sit-down establishments prior to the pandemic-induced economic slow down, RCC offers those eager to enter the food service industry a chance to “stay near” and “go far!”
Hudson Market on Main Manger, Frank DeNardo
Hudson Market on Main is managed by Frank DeNardo, the former owner of Hartell’s Deli in Upper Nyack. A graduate of the Art Institute of New York, Frank brings decades of kitchen and small business experience to the day-to-day operations of the market.
DeNardo is photographed providing provisions for Rockland Pride’s recent virtual REIMAGINED Ball 2020
Recently, RCC partnered with FLIK Hospitality Group to showcase their culinary and hospitality programs by opening Hudson Market on Main. Nyack Sketch Log took a seat at their cafe on the corner of Main and Broadway to learn about the newest addition that makes Nyack an even more compelling foodie destination for the region.
What is the Mission of Hudson Market on Main?
Hudson Market on Main is a 45-seat café that serves breakfast, lunch, snacks, and coffee, and features unique artisanal retail items for our guests. We serve delicious food made with fresh, seasonal ingredients to the local community for dine-in and take-home. We are proud to practice sustainable food sourcing and work hard to achieve a zero-waste kitchen.
What makes the Hudson Market unique?
Hudson Market on Main isn’t your ordinary café. We’re a culinary collaborative between Rockland Community College’s Hospitality & Culinary Arts Center and FLIK Hospitality Group. Our café is part of the hospitality and culinary curriculum at the college, providing a hands-on element to traditional coursework.
The market was created in response to the growing restaurant and tourism industry in the Hudson Valley, offering workforce-ready training for veterans and under-served populations and a state of the art teaching kitchen.
Couldn’t help but notice you had some Nyack Sketch Log gear on the shelf. In addition to prepared food, what can one buy at the Hudson Market on Main?
Hudson Market on Main has plenty of curated retail items that highlight artisanal vendors based around the Hudson Valley and New York State, and some favorites from Nyack’s Farmer’s Market too.
Our retailers rotate throughout the year, but right now we’re featuring goods from Finding Home Farms, Greyston Bakery, Healing Home Foods, Jael’s Natural, Java Love Coffee Roasting Co., and more. We love to highlight our local partners whether it’s honey and maple syrup, granola, hand dipped candles, or Nyack Sketch Log mugs and totes!
What’s on the menu?
We have a little bit of everything on our menu–soups and sandwiches, fresh baked treats, salads, a fresh-pressed juice and smoothie bar–so there’s something for everyone. We have daily specials that are sure to please the palette of all our guests.
What are some of the challenges of running a market during the quarantine?
Nyack Sketch Log gear at Hudson Market on Main
Nyack Sketch Log author and illustrator Bill Batson
You can purchase Nyack Sketch Log gear at Hudson Market on Main, along with honey and maple syrup, granola, or hand dipped candles from local artisanal vendors.
As the pandemic hit New York, we pivoted to a limited schedule with reduced hours and services, but found new ways to connect with our guests. We provided meals to front line responders at Montefiore Nyack Hospital and Nyack’s Community Ambulance Corps through Nyack Nourishes.
We also launched a Family Dinner To Go promotion that featured 1 entrée and 2 sides for only $29. We’re providing delicious, nutritious to-go meals that are economically priced to help the community during this time, and to remind families of the importance of breaking bread together.
We take pride in providing a safe dining environment for our guests and our associates. We have installed plexiglass panels around the café, we take the temperature of our associates every day, we’ve installed several sanitizing stations, and we ensure proper social distancing throughout the café. We also continue to offer free delivery and curbside pick-up to our guests.
What’s next for Hudson Market?
As we head into the fall, expect to see more local farms celebrated on our menu!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram @hudsonmarketonmain and on Facebook for updates to our menu and offerings.
Hudson Market on Main Street is located at 5 N Broadway, Nyack, NY (845) 875-7559.
An artist and writer, Bill Batson lives in Nyack, NY. Nyack Sketch Log: “Hudson Market on Main“© 2020 Bill Batson. Visit billbatsonarts.com to see more.
