This week in the Villages: We are extremely relieved to report that our beloved patisserie isn’t going anywhere, at least for now. Plus, your weekly weather prediction, Covid updates, upcoming meetings and much more!
Note to readers: What do you think we should be covering in your Rockland village? Send us stories, ideas, pictures and feedback at info@nyacknewsandviews.com. Read about our plans for the future here.
Dider Dumas isn’t going anywhere, sort of
When the rumors started circulating a few weeks ago, it brought forth a flurry of questions and emotions.
Patisserie Didier Dumas, the beloved iconic Nyack culinary institution around which all others orbit, was, allegedly, closing.
No! Wait. No, you say, it’s not closing? It’s just for sale? But if it is sold, would it be the same? Did something happen? Did somebody get sick? Divorced? Wait, what if no one buys it? What will I do without Didier’s magical macarons? Where else will I find such bodacious baguettes? Should we just move?
Fortunately, thanks to Tina Traster’s wonderful reporting at the Rockland Business Journal, we have some answers.
“I’ve put my heart into this bakery,” Didier Dumas, the much-celebrated pastry artist and local celebrity told Traster. “I’m not closing. I want to sell the bakery the right way. To someone who will keep this place the same.”
In a pistachio-encrusted nutshell, Didier Dumas, the Nyack patisserie, isn’t going anywhere. However, Didier Dumas, the person, is looking to exit the building — both literally and figuratively — while leaving behind his legacy and greatest creation.
Dumas explained to Traster that he wanted to spend more time with his aging parents in France and, besides, running a highly-functioning 7-day-a-week bakery operation probably isn’t a cake walk — pun intended.
Through real estate firm Ellis/Sothby, Dumas has listed the building and business for a combined $1.9 million. Alex Vursta, the broker working on the sale, said Dumas might be willing to sell the building ($1.2 million) and business ($775,000) separately.
Most importantly, Dumas says he isn’t in a hurry to sell and wants to find an owner that will carry on his rich tradition of excellence and Francophilian ambience.
Thankfully, he is fully committed to transitioning his well-oiled pastry-making machine over to the new the stewards of this glorious, butter-soaked institution.
We here at Villages desperately hope it works out. We’ll be watching closely and savoring every last morsel while it lasts.
Stay tuned …
Quote of the Week
“I am willing to do whatever it takes to make sure this bakery lives on. I want this to remain for my employees, my customers, the community.”
Didier Dumas, owner and namesake of an iconic Nyack French bakery that no one wants to see go anywhere
In other relevant news
- If you haven’t yet, please read this important NY Times investigation into Hassidic Jewish schools in New York and how they are, by design, failing to teach students basic skills that the state deems essential. The vast majority of these schools operate in Brooklyn and Rockland County. There’s a lot to digest in there as the impacts ripple through our communities. We’ll be revisiting this story in the near future.
- Rockland is no longer under any water restrictions due to dry conditions, but according to LoHud, officials remind us that saving water is always a good idea! (More coming on Rockland water coming up in the next week or so.)
- Three weeks ago, we reported on the redistricting effort underway at the Rockland County legislature. There have been a couple of meetings since then and perhaps a vote, but we haven’t been able to find an actual copy of the map. (Editor’s note: If you happen upon one of these or if you’re a legislator and reading this, please send us a copy! Write us at info@nyacknewsandviews.com.)
- Here’s a link to the entire redistricting meeting held on Aug. 30: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CH8mWe08WwQ
ICYM NNV’s weekly features: Bill Batson’s latest “Nyack Sketch Log”, Mike Hays’ most recent “Nyack People & Places”; and our coverage in last week’s “The Villages”. If you haven’t read it yet, please check our vision for the future of Nyack News & Views and how you can help build our coverage and capacity.
Weather prediction
Enjoy the warmer temperatures early in the week (and a maybe a shower or two on Monday) because highs are supposed to be in the 60s this weekend. It may actually be turning into Fall. [click here for National Weather Service‘s latest 7-day forecast for Nyack]
Covid Update (as of Sept. 12)
Severe cases and hospitalizations in the greater Nyack area have essentially leveled off, but there’s been a slight uptick in positive cases. As of September 12, the CDC is still classifying Rockland County at a “low” Covid threat level.
- The county is reporting 2.09 gross hospitalization per 100,000 people (up from 1.78 on Sept. 6)
- Hospital capacity, however, is not threatened.
- A total of 27 people (up from 26 on Sept. 6) in Rockland County were hospitalized for Covid related issues; only 8 of those patients were symptomatic.
- With zero new deaths recorded recently, Rockland’s Covid-related death total remains at 1,209.
- To find out what case and hospitalization trends look like in your town, click here.
- Here’s the CDC’s data on Rockland.
Testing Info
- Get free at-home Covid tests sent to your home, visit Covidtest.gov. Or pick them up at Village Hall in Nyack, Monday through Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
- More than 82% of eligible people in Rockland County are vaccinated with at least one dose. To schedule an appointment for a 1st dose, 3rd dose (for immunocompromised), or booster COVID-19 vaccine from any Rockland County Department of Health Clinic visit rocklandgov.com/departments/health/. To search for additional COVID-19 vaccination opportunities nearby visit vaccines.gov.
- Find a COVID-19 testing site near you, by visiting coronavirus.health.ny.gov. Individuals who have questions regarding eligibility or access for testing should call the New York State COVID-19 Hotline at 1-888-364-3065 or visit the NYSDOH website covid19screening.health.ny.gov.
Village updates
Nyack
Here’s the list of all upcoming meetings posted for the Village of Nyack.
Put it on your calendar: The Halloween Parade is back! Oct. 29 this year.
- If you haven’t seen it, take a look at the second draft of Nyack’s Appropriations budget (what they plan to spend). And the second draft of their Revenue budget (how they make their money). Not clear how or if it all those numbers have changed, but we’ll keep you updated. As of now, the budget is $6,055,600.91 coming in and going out 2022-2023.
- Drop off humanitarian aid for victims of the war in Ukraine (, including first aid, painkillers, blankets, baby food, diapers, non-perishable food, antibiotics and more, at Village Hall, 9 N. Broadway (or at the Orangetown town hall, 26 W. Orangeburg Rd.).
Upper Nyack
- Click here for updates from the Village of Upper Nyack.
South Nyack
- Due to reader request, we have re-added South Nyack, which dissolved as an official village earlier this year. Please send us info about what’s going on in South Nyack at info@nyacknewsandviews.com.
Orangetown
- Check out the draft chapters of Orangetown’s new 2022 Comprehensive Plan.
- ICYMI: Here’s the official resolution Orangetown enacted with regards to the sale of two South Nyack properties, which appears to say the proceeds will go toward wiping out South Nyack’s debt, which is what South Nyack officials were lobbying for as the dissolution date approached.
- Help limit greenhouse gasses and curb pollution by joining this new food scraps recycling program.
- Check out the Orangetown YouTube channel, and this video of a recent special town board meeting, which included renderings of a new town hall.
Clarkstown
- The Technical Advisory Committee, which “evaluates the technical adequacy of land development applications and decides their readiness for Planning Board review,” meets most Wednesdays, including this Wednesday, from 10 am to noon, in the town hall’s Historic Map Room.
- For a calendar list of all Clarkstown meetings and events, click here.
Other Local Updates
South Nyack advocates have filed a petition with the town of Orangetown seeking to show support for a new Elizabeth Place Playground — the grassy play area and dog park just south of 87 and right off the Esposito trail. After South Nyack dissolved in March, the town found the playground equipment at Elizabeth Place was unsafe and not compliant with ADA regulations and removed it. A new ADA compliant park has been proposed and advocates want to see the proposal approved and implemented. Click here to read and/or sign the petition.
Nyack Schools
- Check out our latest Nyack Schools Report, a new regular feature we will be posted every couple of weeks or so.
- Applications are now being accepted for universal pre-K and full-day kindergarten.
- Masks are currently optional for all students and staff in all Nyack district schools.
- Find out what else is going on in Nyack-area schools at Home Page – Nyack Public Schools (nyackschools.org)
Rockland-wide
A rare polio case was recently discovered in Rockland County. Here’s some info on how to protect yourself:
- New Yorkers can pre-register for a free polio vaccination appointment here or call 845-238-1956 to schedule. Walk-ins will also be accepted.
- Vaccines are also available through local healthcare providers, including Federally Qualified Health Centers.
- For more information on polio including symptoms and spread, visit NYSDOH’s page here.
- New Yorkers can learn more about the polio vaccine available in the U.S. at CDC’s page here.
- The Reviving Rockland Restaurants Grant Program will reimburse businesses between $5,000 and $25,000 for past expenses or fund future expenses for eligible outdoor dining COVID-19 mitigation equipment. Eligible entities include restaurants, food stands, food trucks, bars, saloons, lounges, taverns, bakeries, delis, cafes, breweries, wineries, and other similar places of business. For more information and to download an application visit rocklandgov.com.
- Fill out this survey to help the county provide better digital services.
Connect with Nyack News and Views
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