By Joshua Anderson for the Peekskill Business Improvement District

Hidden on the second floor of the building at 1200 Brown Street in downtown Peekskill, Journey Allied Health has been quietly preparing its students for careers in one of the region’s most essential and growing industries. 

At the center of that training is Deborah Blades-Clarke, a nurse practitioner with more than three decades in healthcare and a Doctorate degree from Chamberlain University. She founded Journey Allied Health and has been running it basically by herself. 

“I am everything, so I am the owner, the housekeeper, the laundry person, the social media person, the emailer, the receptionist, I am the teacher,” Blades-Clarke said. 

Aside from running the school she founded 4 years ago, she is also a nurse practitioner herself. Journey Allied Health is focused on accelerated certification programs such as nurse aide, phlebotomy, personal care aide, and home health aide training. 

Blades-Clarke’s goal is to improve care “one student at a time.” Students can complete some programs in as little as three to eight weeks, depending on the certification and schedule they choose. 

Evening programs typically run September through May/June; they pause during summer months. There are summer programs offered, focused on the accelerated 4-week Nurse Aide course, primarily serving pre-healthcare college students on summer break. 

The tuition for nurse’s aides is $2,000 and $1,400 for phlebotomy. Journey Allied Health is a very personal and professional atmosphere that allows students to get the proper attention they need. 

What sets it apart from larger institutions? 

“I think compassion. We’re down to earth, and students feel comfortable asking any question. All teachers are doctorate prepared and have taught in colleges,” Blades-Clarke said. 

Being that Journey Allied Health is the only healthcare trade school in Northern Westchester, it serves a diverse student population, including college students, immigrants, and those thinking of career changes. 

Blades-Clarke stated that there is a high job placement rate, with almost all of her students finding work in their chosen fields. 

“Another portion of them go on to college or to a health care school, like an LPN school,” Blades-Clarke said. She cares about her students and she cares about the work she does: “Getting old is a privilege, not everybody gets there. So working in the nursing homes, I wanted to make a difference,” Blades-Clarke said. 

She stressed that this is a job that won’t go away. AI cannot replace healthcare and “for a nurse aide, the world is their oyster because there’s such a demand.” Licensed by NY State Department of Education, Women Minority Business Entrepreneur certified, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce, Journey Allied Health represents a grassroots approach to addressing the healthcare workforce shortage in Northern Westchester County.

Operating as a one-woman enterprise with contract instructors, Blades-Clarke has created an educational institution that prioritizes quality over quantity, compassion over profit, and community impact over expansion. 

 “Journey’s empowering the Peekskill community by providing fast-track, high-quality healthcare education that puts local residents into essential jobs,” Blades-Clarke said. 

To support that mission, the school offers flexible scheduling depending on the program. Most evening classes run Monday through Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Some programs, like phlebotomy, are also offered on weekends to accommodate students who are working or in school.

For more information on class schedules, enrollment, and upcoming sessions, visit Journey Allied Health at Journey Allied Health Training Center – Licensed and supervised by the NYS Department of Education or follow them on Instagram @journeyalliedhealth and Facebook at Journey Allied Health for updates and announcements.

(C) 2026 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Joshua Anderson and Journey Allied Health. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post Journey Allied Health Trains The Next Generation appeared first on Discover Peekskill.

By Joshua Anderson for the Peekskill Business Improvement District

Business owners, chamber members, city officials, and community leaders gathered at the Peekskill Central Fire House for the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce annual City of Peekskill breakfast to discuss chamber updates, new city branding, economic development initiatives, and business engagement opportunities. 

Using Peekskill’s new colorful logo, the city plans to use major events as an opportunity to strengthen and connect businesses as well as branding Peekskill as a place to do business and a place to call home.

Following a warm greeting by Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie, Peekskill City Manager Matt Alexander centered the meeting on one vital question, “Why say yes to Peekskill?” 

As part of a real time survey, the answer to Alexander’s question elicited responses from the attendees ranging from “riverfront” to “restaurants” to “opportunity” to “community.”

Alexander said that the city has a diverse community of talented creatives, makers and entrepreneurs. 

“We are a city that values creativity, diversity, and opportunity. What makes Peekskill special isn’t just one thing, it’s the people,” Alexander said. 

A video featuring many Peekskill business owners promoted all of Peekskill’s positive attributes. 

The new Peekskill logo has been described as a colorful “mosaic,” aiming to represent the people, places and experiences that define the city. 

Director of Planning & Development, Carol Samol, described the design as “bold, joyful and colorful”. The logo has alternative and versatile color schemes prepared to promote different events and seasons.

“Peekskill is powered by community and commitment,” Samol said. 

The city also announced that it will be launching “Destination Peekskill,” a new all-encompassing website designed to carry that brand outward and forward. 

This new digital front door to Peekskill plans to provide visitors with a comprehensive and convenient guide for Peekskill, including upcoming events and business listings. 

Two 2026 initiatives are already underway—events focusing on the FIFA World Cup in June and a year-long commemmoration of the American Revolution—according to Johnathan Zamora, Site Manager & Director of Community Hub, who is active in both.  

For the 250th Annivseray of the American Revolution, Zamora said he expects upwards of 25,000 to 30,000 people at the Fourth of July Fireworks at Riverfront Green Park. 

City officials also said they have made efforts to create a more welcoming environment, from renovating and reopening Fleischmann’s Pier, to installing a downtown wayfinding system.

Cruises by the RMS Emerald Princess from the pier launched in 2024 and brought more than 9,000 passengers aboard in 2025. The BID and the city also created a shuttle service which  provided nearly 1,000 visitors with transportation with stops at the train station, downtown and the pier.  

There are plans to improve the riverfront’s appearance and increase foot traffic for waterfront businesses. The city has also launched programs aimed for ages 16 to 24 and designed to support local businesses with trained workers. Art, design, marketing and culinary programs have already proved successful. 

Through a workforce development program, more than 45 culinary graduates now work in food service businesses throughout Peekskill, while others have helped develop the Destination Peekskill website as well. The city manager announced that a woodworking and carpentry program would launch soon. 

About 90 volunteers serve on Peekskill boards and commissions with the goal to improve our quality of life. The city recognized volunteers those in attenance. 

The breakfast, provided by the Peekskill Diner, (see related article on its grand opening here: The Peekskill Diner: Where There’s Something on the Menu For Everyone – Discover Peekskill) drew roughly 100 people to network. 

By urging these businesses to collaborate with the city and each other through regional marketing, event tie-ins, and advertising on the new platform, city officials hope to turn Peekskill’s branding and public events into measurable economic growth.

(C) 2026 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Councilman Brian Fassett and Joshua Anderson. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post Say YES! To Peekskill appeared first on Discover Peekskill.

By Joshua Anderson for the Peekskill Business Improvement District

Quietly one of Peekskill’s most important historical sites, the Peekskill museum is housed in the Herrick House, an historic home which has housed its collection of Peekskill-focused historical items since 1946.  Located at 124 Union Avenue, the museum is open to the public three hours each week—Saturdays from 1pm to 4 pm—and staffed by volunteers. 

With 2026 upon us, the museum will focus on the 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution. 

“Peekskill played a pivotal role during the American Revolution based on our location, right at the base of the Hudson Highlands,” said Tim Warn, an historian at the museum who plans to focus on Peekskill and the Hudson Highlands during the Revolutionary War. 

On March 21, 2026, the Museum guides a hike up Fort Hill and presents an on-location talk presented by Warn. The following day on March 22, John Curran, president of the museum and museum historian, leads a lecture on the 1777 Peekskill Raid, to be held at the museum for those who cannot make the hike up to Fort Hill. The climb is steep and it takes about 20 minutes to arrive at the top. 

Warn is a retired US Army Major and an active leader in the community who serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce and on the Peekskill 250 advisory group. 

Historians say the area’s geography made it one of the most strategically important locations in the colonies. General George Washington certainly recognized its importance and called Peekskill home for part of the revolution. 

The region was critical because the Hudson River was a vital communications and supply link between New York City and Canada.

“If the British controlled the Hudson River and the Hudson Highlands, they could divide the continent,” said Warn. 

“After the Battle of White Plains, the entire American Army moved directly to Peekskill, arriving on Nov. 10, 1776, with George Washington,” said Curran. 

Peekskill became a major Continental Army encampment. Much of the area’s industry was located along the river, making Peekskill a frequent British target. 

In 1777, the British would attack Peekskill successfully and force early Americans to move their supplies inland and upriver, developing Fishkill as a critical supply depot. 

“The British were very efficient in their raid, destroying 50 new wagons and burning warehouses down by the river. However, Colonel Marinus Willard staged a counterattack and drove the British back to their ships and down to New York City,” Curran said. 

Curran was born and raised in Peekskill and studied history in college. He specializes on the infamous 1777 Peekskill Raid. 

The Peekskill Museum is actively sorting through donations and contributions to organize and better display all the history it holds. At one point the museum made a community announcement looking to collect artifacts and historical items. The response was large. 

“They loaded up the attic with boxes and containers and furniture and knickknacks and just a variety of things that we’re still dealing with,” Warn said with a humorous tone as he described the overload. 

From retired military like Warn to lifelong residents like Curran, Peekskill’s role in the American Revolution is not preserved just in battlefields or monuments, but through a museum run by passionate individuals. 

“We’re a not-for-profit. We rely on donations to keep the lights on, one of our biggest challenges is maintaining this history because it’s so vital,” said Warn. 

“What we lack is any kind of continuous government support,” said Curran. 

The museum offers memberships for students, seniors, individuals, families and businesses and accepts larger, sustaining donations as well. 

The Herrick House was built between 1877 and 1878 before becoming the Museum and later getting refurbished in 2011. The building retains an authentic historical atmosphere, through the creaks in the halls to the military memorabilia. The museum houses a treasure trove of artifacts.

The Museum is staffed by a group of volunteers who oversee the massive historical significance of Peekskill and have made huge efforts to ensure that it’s remembered and preserved. Artifacts range from Revolutionary War muskets and cannonballs to modern memorabilia, including a downhill racer sled and a basketball signed by Peekskill High School grad and NBA player Elton Brand. 

A fan favorite is also the comically massive ball of string that sits on the second floor, that was, at one point in history, thought to be the largest in the world.  

Limited staffing restricts public hours, though visits can be scheduled by appointment in addition to the Saturday openings.

Two and a half centuries after soldiers defended the Hudson Highlands, their story is still being guarded — this time by neighbors, retirees, and a small museum on Union Avenue in Peekskill, NY.

“We have to remember our history, what brought us here,” said Warn. 

You can reach the museum at (914) 736-0473, peekskillmuseum.org, or on Facebook.

(C) 2026 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Joshua Anderson. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post Peekskill’s Monumental Importance appeared first on Discover Peekskill.

By Joshua Anderson for the Peekskill Business Improvement District

A month-long public showcase opened February 12, 2026 at the Westchester Community College Center for the Digital Arts, displaying student portfolios from a 10-week illustration and animation workforce certificate program. 

Participants ranged from beginners to experienced artists. According to Professor David Abrevaya, “If you can get through this program, you’re in an amazing category.” 

Comic strips, character designs, scene illustrations and animated concepts lined the gallery walls as students discussed their portfolios with inquiring visitors. 

“I had the chance to review the portfolio of student illustrator certificate graduate Isabella Slezak. She answered all of my questions in a professional manner and said she was looking forward to participating in other galleries. She was definitely proud of her work—and she should be,” said Bill Powers, Executive Director of the Peekskill Business Improvement District, who attended the event.

The reception drew a large crowd to review the student portfolios, view the large wall hangings of their art, and watch TV screens of their animation. 

Professor Abrevaya, along with Professor Emmanuel Jaquez Reyes and Director Dr. Sherry Mayo gave remarks at 12 at 27 North Division St., where the work was displayed. 

Abrevaya teaches Illustration and 2D Animation while Reyes teaches the 2D Animation certificate program. Students traditionally start with Abrevaya’s individual program before moving onto Reyes’ program. 

The exhibition runs for four months through April 23, 2026.

This public event offers emerging artists an opportunity to share their creative work within the community and make connections with potential clients. The training for these programs focuses on portfolio development, storytelling and meeting professional deadlines. 

While Professor Abrevaya encourages his students to learn from their favorite artists, he focuses on teaching and reinforcing the fundamentals of drawing to pull out their own style. 

“The style’s within. It comes out as you start to grow your skills and your technique,” Abrevaya said. 

The students are treated as working professional artists with strict guidelines, where missing a deadline reflects real-world consequences, including grades and course completion.

The program is designed to be collaborative. Artists critique each other’s work to improve.

“I’m trying to create a community of artists for us to come together, collaborate and explore synergies,” Abrevaya said. 

From rock musicians to retail workers, the class is filled with artists from varied backgrounds and ages. 

Terry Orlando, previously a touring musician, entered the program after a decade of making DIY comics and selling them at art shows. He enrolled to pursue comics professionally.

“Now I feel equipped to actually start creating books,” Orlando said. 

His featured work depicts an accident that tears a portal into another world. The piece is part of a planned graphic novel.

Gwenevere Vargo is a recent graduate from the School of Visual Arts in Manhattan. Her focus is character design, and she plans to pursue it professionally. 

“It was great, don’t get me wrong, but David [Abrevaya] has just given me so many great opportunities, feedback and advice, and organizing events like these,” Vargo said. 

She is currently working on a comic called “Devil Dog” and plans to kick-start it, with intensive promotion, after she finishes the pages. 

After some time in retail, Isabella Slazak, mentioned earlier, returned to the art arena to reinvest herself into her passion of narrative illustration. What she had lacked in the past, this program helped provide for her. 

“I needed deadlines, and having this class helped me create those,” Slazak said. She is now producing two comic pages per week with plans to publish a comic book. 

Remy Sainsot also took an alternative path to reach this program. Sainsot left traditional college, saying its structure did not fit their learning style.

They instead found success in this program’s hands-on approach. Its functionality as a professional simulation gave Sainsot a strong foundation. 

“It’s been good but intense, which reflects the reality of the art field. It’s been a valuable learning experience,” Sainsot continued. “I started off shakier. Through class input and critique, there’s been significant improvement.”

Sainsot aims to continue pursuing illustration, with a future interest in game development. 

“We have highly trained and talented people here that the community should engage with,” said Director Dr. Sherry Mayo. 

By combining technical drawing education, animation training and professional expectations, the program positions participants to move beyond hobby art into sustainable creative careers.

The WCC Digital Arts Center will continue to display the artwork through April 23, from Monday-Saturday, generally 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; hours may differ on some days. 

Program costs and availability are shown on school’s website. You can reach the Peekskill extension for more information at 914-606-7300 or online at sunywcc.edu/locations/peekskill. 

To contact Director Mayo directly, sherry.mayo@sunywcc.edu or 914-606-7385.

(C) 2026 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Joshua Anderson. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business, and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post WCC Digital Arts Center Illustration & Animation Showcase appeared first on Discover Peekskill.

Peekskill’s permanent information and navigation center is now operational. On January 26, 2026, city officials and business leaders attended the official re-opening of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, located at 1 South Division Street, in the heart of Dowtown Peekskill. 

The re-opening included a renovation and redesigned lobby space which is home to a new interactive kiosk. The massive touch screen functions as a public business guide/directory, event calendar and tourism map. Users can browse restaurants, retail shops, parks, and upcoming events with ease. There is also a mobile app available for free download. 

“It is essentially a giant smartphone that hangs on our wall,” said the Chamber’s Member Relationship Manager, Karen Vogel. “It’s even wheelchair accessible, so if something’s too high you can touch the wheelchair button to bring everything down lower.”

The HVGCC serves Peekskill and its surrounding areas including Cortlandt, Croton-On-Hudson, Putnam Valley, Yorktown, Buchanan, Montrose and Verplank. 

The grand re-opening of the Chamber’s headquarter also includedsa new façade and a refurbished conference room.

The HVGCC is distributing more than 1,500 QR codes stickers to member businesses. These codes allow for direct remote access to the content the kiosk displays. 

“You don’t have to be in the lobby of the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber to access it,” said Carol Voisey, Executive Director. She explained that anyone who uses that QR code can gain access to the information in electronic kiosk in the lobby of the Chamber. 

For those who simply want to try out this new kiosk, there is a selfie feature where users can take photo booth style pictures and add their email to have them sent to the user afterwards. All images must go through content approval first, so there may be a wait period before seeing them in your inbox.

“When we applied for the city DRI grant and we envisioned changing the facade and the lobby, we went back and we looked at old historical photographs of what used to be here,” said Tim Warn, Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors.         

The Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1915, originally named the Peekskill Chamber of Commerce, and now called the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce. The HVGCC’s role is to advocate for business interests, create community connections, encourage economic growth and serve as a visitor information center promoting tourism. They collaborate with the Peekskill Business Improvement District, the City of Peekskill and their partner municipalities.

“Our goal is to support the local businesses. Our goal is to bring in tourism and to increase foot traffic,” Voisey continued. “Not one of us can do it alone, it’s a big, big task.”

The HVGCC is actively inviting new members to join. Members will receive a digital showcase on the kiosk’s business map and special advertising opportunities among many other benefits like networking events. For non-members to be shown on the kiosk business map there are plans to have an annual subscription with a tiered system.

The fully renovated “George W. Gibbs” conference room where a reception was held, features flexible meeting space and is available for rental. 

“I’m excited to have people come in and see the new brighter, cleaner, sleeker look,” Vogel said. 

Using this new platform, the Chamber expects the lobby to operate as a constant access point connecting residents, visitors and businesses.

“The Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Office has been central to Peekskill, not just because of its prominent location on a key downtown corner, but because of its storied history of supporting business for 110 years. The building’s facelift will elevate its prominence even further, and the visitor/tourist center lobby is a welcome addition to our downtown,” said Bill Powers, Executive Director, Peekskill Business Improvement District. 

Of note, Powers previously served as Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce in the 90s, and is Chairman Emeritus of the Chamber’s Board of Directors. 

The Chamber lobby is open daily 8am–8pm, and the office is open 9am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

You can reach the Chamber at +1 (914) 737-3600. They can be found online at hvgatewaychamber.com, on Facebook at Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber or on Instagram @hvgchamber.

(C) 2026 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Joshua Anderson. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business, and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post Tap Into Peekskill: Chamber of Commerce Brings New Facade, Interactive Digital Guide to Downtown appeared first on Discover Peekskill.

At Speakeasy Tattoo, you are immediately greeted with the humming of tattoo machines and friendly faces. There’s a large waiting area with a wood floor, tin ceilings and a gallery of the artists’ pieces displayed throughout the shop. If you don’t walk into a busy shop of customers at 25 North Division Street in Downtown Peekskill, you’re likely to see the artists practicing their drawing and craft.

“We’re not just tattoo artists. We are artists that tattoo,” the owner of Speakeasy Tattoo, Patrick Conlon said. There is art everywhere in the building, from sculptures to paintings–the place hums with creativity.

The artists always aim to create the tattoo that the client envisions, using their experience and creative ability to guide the client along the way. They don’t offer cheap gimmicks or cookie cutter tattoos; they offer uniqueness, consistency and quality tattoos that will have people asking, “Where did you get that done?”

In an era where tattooing has become increasingly commercialized and industrialized, the only tattoo shop in Peekskill stands as a beacon of traditional craftsmanship and artistic integrity. They aren’t out for a cash grab. They’re lifelong artists who take pride in their long-lasting work.

Conlon has tattooed several celebrities, most notably Daniel Day-Lewis and Tim Roth, as well as fake movie tattoos for Richard Gere and Keanu Reeves. Conlon has even been tattooed by a celebrity, Rihanna to be exact. That’s a story for another time.

There are six artists currently working at Speakeasy Tattoo. They can all be found on Instagram: Patrick Conlon (@secretsanctumn), Stella Vlad (@stellamayvlad), Chris Mahoney (@chrismahoneytattoos), Raul Hurtado (@raul.hurtado.tattoo), Needles (@darthneedles), and Corey Kennedy (@lazerlipz).

Each artist brings their own distinct style and clientele. Their shared standards allow for smooth collaboration and better customer options. For instance, Conlon specializes in the illustrative style, emphasizing its storytelling power. Vlad is known for her more organic, free-form work, and she doesn’t limit herself to one genre.

Mahoney is a master of traditional tattooing with bold lines and colorful work. Hurtado is illustrative as well, but shines most with his bold, black-work focusing on contrast and graphic impact. Needles is well known, speaking to the hearts of Star Wars fans, as he has focused on hyper realistic tattoos of the genre for over two decades. Kennedy’s primary style is neo-traditional tattooing, blending contemporary with classic.

“You are what you eat, you are who you meet,” Conlon said as he discussed the benefits of working with so many talented artists. The artists are constantly working on their craft, trying to get better and never viewing their skill as perfect; there’s always room for improvement.

“We have an open shop, so everybody’s able to see what everybody’s working on. It’s a good competitive thing, not toxic competition,” Hurtado said, as he proudly explained their collaborative work environment.

It’s a diverse group of creative ‘starving artists’–starving because they get so wrapped up with their work that they sometimes forget to eat. The Speakeasy Tattoo artists share a common and strong passion to create consistent, lasting and unique tattoos that you want to show off.

“The pace is efficient. Relaxed confidence,” Conlon said.

Hurtado explained that he used to work at a tattoo shop in Mohegan Lake before coming to Peekskill. He chose Speakeasy Tattoo and has stayed here for more than eight years because, “We have one of the best reputations here in Hudson Valley Tattoo–with respect to everybody.”

The shop has a welcoming atmosphere, from the designs to the artists. And if you like animals, you may be lucky enough to meet Conlons’ sweet-hearted, three-legged, best-friend-of-a-dog, Lefty, named after a missing hind leg, which doesn’t stop Lefty from getting around the shop and downtown. Conlon can be seen walking Lefty all the time on the streets of Peekskill.

“We’re trying to build a community, you know, and we’re trying to teach people what real tattoos look like,” Hurtado said. He only planned to work here for two years or so, but the environment and the workspace make him want to stay because it feels right, it feels good.

“We want to give you something that is going to stick with you for a long time, instead of you coming every few years just to get a touch-up,” Hurtado said, speaking for the entire staff.

They want to avoid the trendy tattoos, like the hyper realistic flowers that are one inch in diameter. The artists here don’t want to give a tattoo that won’t last or work; they know the body, how it changes and how tattoos will look over time.

If they change the vision of your tattoo, it is not to tarnish your idea, but to enhance and adapt your vision to be properly inked into your skin. Collectively, they resist the growing automation of tattoos and explain why it is important to keep doing it their way.

“We’re not robots. We’re not copy machines… I don’t want an AI tattoo. I want a human touch,” Conlon said.

Hurtado encourages future clients and anyone interested: “Hey, just come through, we’ll help you out. We’ll guide you the best way that we can and we’ll give you a great tattoo.”

“You leave different, that’s for sure,” Conlon said.

Speakeasy Tattoo mainly does custom, appointment-driven work. The shop is open Wednesday – Sunday, 12PM – 6 PM; they are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Walk-ins are welcomed based on artist availability, but you can also call to make an appointment or book online.

You can reach them at 914-252-6493. They can be found online, https://speakeasy.tattoostudio.site, on Facebook at Speakeasy Tattoo NY or on Instagram @nyspeakeasytattoo.

(C) 2026 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Joshua Anderson. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business, and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post The Secret Sanctum, Speakeasy Tattoo: Where Artists Hold Onto Tradition and Originality appeared first on Discover Peekskill.

Art machines displayed through the window plot dots and lines, slowly creating a work of art at 107 South Division Street, Peekskill, NY. These machines—capable of drawing, writing and now painting—allow digital artists to bring their visions into physical space.

In this irregularly shaped space, a gallery of artwork hangs across the room—created by digital artists and brought to life by this advancement in technology. Visitors can watch in awe as art appears line by line, dot by dot, stroke by stroke.

This is not just an art gallery or a tech shop; this is the frontier of digital creativity leading a wave of new forms of art being expressed across the globe.

“We’re making stuff that hasn’t existed before,” said Bre Pettis, CEO and owner of Bantam Tools.

Bantam Tools makes professional and reliable computer-controlled art machines with precision to support skilled artists around the world who feel compelled to create digital art and bring that art to life.

Bantam’s retail shop/showroom is located on the first floor of the Flat Iron building next to the Peekskill Coffee House. They have two other locations in Peekskill—one, their headquarters and central warehouse on North Water Street and the other, just a few blocks down, for office and storage space.

Bantam Tools began as Other Machine Co., in San Francisco, California, before rebranding in 2017 and moving to Peekskill in 2019. Pettis is also the co-founder of MakerBot, headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, which pioneered consumer 3D printing at the time. After leaving MakerBot in 2016, Pettis purchased Other Machine Co. in 2017 and later relocated to the Hudson Valley.

His transition into a more creative approach with Bantam Tools was long in the making. Teaming up with his long-time friends at Evil Mad Scientist, the designer and manufacturer of popular computer-controlled drawing and handwriting machines on the West Coast, made too much sense—and it all came together here in the Hudson Valley. Bantam Tools announced the acquisition of Evil Mad Scientist, in 2024.

Bantam Tools core mission is simple: ‘we make exceptional machines for innovators.’ They offer four art machines: AxiDraw/NextDraw, which operate as pen plotters for drawing, handwriting, and design. The ArtFrame, a large-format professional machine for pastels, crayons and fine art media. The EggBot, which draws on spherical and irregular objects (ornaments, tennis balls, softballs, eggs). Their new painting machine, launching soon, is capable of watercolor techniques with human-like brush strokes and movements like dipping into paint.

For those invested in the machine arts, Bantam Tools makes it as easy as ever. Digital artists can create their original work or follow the work of a physical artist. They upload their files, prime the machine, press plot, and the machine begins its work while the artist watches, works on another project or has a cup of coffee.

“We’ve been really tackling painting, which is drawing—there’s just a lot of subtlety to it,” Pettis said.

There are examples of the work done by this new machine displayed in their showroom. Prices for their machines range from $499 (refurbished) to nearly $10,000 for large-scale machines that are nearly the size of two refrigerators. Bantam Tools is grounded in Peekskill. Their showroom serves as a storefront, but they serve a global market. They ship to Japan, Australia, throughout Europe, and across the United States.

“Our customers are a mix of artists, educators, and handwriting fanatics,” Pettis said.

The showroom is their public-facing space for education and community engagement. The location on North Water Street is their headquarters and factory space where they create, assemble and test the machines. Their other nearby location is mainly for warehouse space, extra storage and production support.

The staff is a mix of all different kinds of people, from engineers to artists and builders. They have a mainly local workforce, including graduates of Peekskill High School’s robotics program, who are eager to contribute and passionate about their work. Pettis serves on the Peekskill Art Committee, he is also the Founder of Peekskillart.com, which documents public and hidden artwork across the city. He stressed that Peekskill contains far more art than residents and vistors often realize and he wants to highlight that more.

Pettis loves art and he loves Peekskill, he enjoys amazing coffee, great restaurants, novelty stores and a connection to nature you don’t have in many big cities. He believes Peekskill is an innovative hub, filled with so many different artists that bring a unique culture to the city. The showroom offers shirts, cups, and branded merchandise for sale, but Pettis plans to expand the role of his showroom, beyond retail and into a way to educate fellow artists and residents–aiming to make art more accessible, visible, and inspiring.

“We try to keep the windows entertaining. This holiday season we’ve had Bantam Tools Eggbot Ornament Edition running in the window making ornaments,” Pettis said.

On the other side of the window, if you looked closely, you could see the handprints from kids as they would peer through the window.

Bantam Tools now has a new magazine with three issues out so far, aiming to release every three months, with the latest issue focusing on painting.

These magazines give readers a deeper perspective into the minds of these digital artists and how these groundbreaking art machines have contributed to their work.

Topics include Q and A’s with famous digital artists, explaination of how to maintain an art machine, news on the machine arts, some advertising, and a challenge at the end of each issue.

For example, in issue #2, the challenge is to plot your pet, inviting machine artists to create portraits of their pets, transforming the physical art into a digital drawing and then plotting it to create the artwork.

The magazine is available for purchase at $10 each, it can be bought at the showroom or through their website. They don’t currently sell a digital version because they like the feeling of a physical magazine.

It serves as an entry point for people who are eager to learn about digital artists and their work, helping to develop an understanding of how the creation of art can be done with these intuitive instruments.

“We make art machines that bring digital artwork into the world physically,” Pettis said.

Pettis is a successful businessman. He gave a final message to all those who aspire to start and run a business: “Starting a business is all about falling on your face and picking yourself back up again… It’s about confidence in yourself and having backup plans so you can fail… I think in general, starting a business is not for the faint of heart,” Pettis said.

The Bantam Tools showroom is open Saturday-Sunday, 10AM – 5PM, they are closed on Mondays – Thursdays. On Fridays, if they are open, it’s by chance. You can reach them at (347) 422-6826.

They can be found online, https://bantamtools.com, on Facebook at Bantam Tools or on Instagram @bantamtools and @machineartsgallery.

(C) 2026 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Joshua Anderson. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business, and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post Peekskill’s Bantam Tools: Plotting the Future of Digital Art One Dot at a Time appeared first on Discover Peekskill.

Lily of the Valley Floral Design is a hidden oasis in the heart of the Peekskill, where faith has bloomed into a business. The owner, Pamela Hallman-Johnson, captures the essence of Peekskill: a strong work ethic, friendly attitude, and unique creativity. The florist represents more than just flowers; she sees it as a calling — a “platform for ministry.”

In 2019, longtime educator and accountant, Hallman-Johnson, registered a small business. Two years later, with a micro-enterprise grant from the City of Peekskill, she opened a brick-and-mortar flower shop located at 810 South Street.

Lily of the Valley is the flower destination offering full-service arrangements — from weddings, funerals, graduations and large events, to everyday just-because, romantic gestures or symbolic gifts. Flowers mark every phase and stage of life, and they are often incorporated to celebrate, mourn and remember.

Hallman-Johnson is working hard to keep the business afloat but she knows how hard it is for everyone else too. “You can come and grab flowers, at your price point. Not a problem, I can make you a beautiful bouquet for $15,” Hallman-Johnson said.

She is a strong advocate for mentoring at-risk youth, diversifying the floral industry, and empowering women as a resident in Peekskill for over 22 years.

For Nyema Zapata, a 15-year-old sophomore at Peekskill High School, working at Lily of the Valley Floral Design has become more than just an internship, it’s become her sanctuary

Zapata has been working at the shop for a little over a year. She mainly helps with big events but also visits the shop frequently.

“I could be having a really bad day, whether it was at school or just in general, like in a sour mood. Then I walk into Miss Pam’s flower shop and all of that just melts off of me instantly. It’s like this really welcoming vibe I get when I walk in,” Zapata said. Customers get the same vibe.

Before she started working at the shop, Zapata enjoyed being around flowers. She said it’s calming and therapeutic to be around plants.

Hallman-Johnson’s fascination with flowers began in childhood when she planted sunflower seeds in her family’s yard in Hempstead, Long Island. Decades later, her mother-in-law, Inez Finley, reignited that passion by having her care for a small Japanese maple tree.

That moment led Johnson to study at the New York Botanical Garden and she began designing arrangements for church events, just for fun. By the early 2000s she had business cards for “Lily of the Valley Floral Design”.

She has spent two decades in education, teaching special-education English and serving on the Peekskill City School District Board. She also funds the Pearl and Tie ceremony for special-education seniors with her husband as well as creating college-readiness programs for at-risk youth.

Her background, she says, provided “the structure, finance, and discipline” needed to run a business.

The name of her company, Lily of the Valley, holds layered meaning. It honors her late mother, Lois V. Hallman, whose birth flower is the lily, and it symbolizes Jesus Christ as “the lily of the valleys” from the Song of Solomon in the Bible.

“When Jesus showed up, people’s lives changed for the better. So when Pam shows up, your life will change for the better. Not because of me, but because of the Christ inside me,” Hallman-Johnson said.

“We provide a service that’s much needed downtown within the walkable part of the city,” Hallman-Johnson said.

She has fulfilled wedding orders for clients from Texas, Nebraska, and abroad—including orders from China, Australia, Canada, South America, Africa, and England. She attributes this visibility to her online presence and professional networking rather than any paid advertising. “Connection is key,” she said.

Orders can be placed online, by phone, or in person, and Johnson customizes each arrangement “to meet people where they are financially,” and to ensure the best quality service every time. She has also created “Sip-N-Petals,” a dining floral-design event that combines instruction with refreshments. Sessions run Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays by appointment. Groups must be between six to ten. It is $85 for a 2-hour private experience including wine and $75 without.

Besides bouquets, major events, and Sip-N-Petals, the shop also offers rejuvenation and sympathy baskets. These start at $100 and can go up in price depending on the contents, including hand-selected and surprise gifts as well as flowers and personalized sentiments.

Hallman-Johnson’s shop operates with a small rotating team employed on a per-event basis. She also trains a local high school intern each year to introduce minority students to floral design.

Although Lily of the Valley has not yet turned much profit, Johnson continues to reinvest all proceeds into wages for her staff, supplies for her store, and youth programming.

“It’s still teaching, still service, just through beauty,” Hallman-Johnson said.

Hallman-Johnson’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is straightforward, “Timing is everything. Don’t quit your day job. Use your day job to finance your dream job.”

She explained how many small businesses fail because owners pursue their passions without much preparation. “I’m an educated woman, but I knew nothing about running a business. You need to be mentored, you need to be trained.”

Hallman-Johnson has been on a 25-year journey from hobbyist to shop owner. While her short-term goal is to break even, her long-term goal is to build a family legacy, a strong business model for her daughters to inherit.

After more than two decades in Peekskill, Johnson credits the city with sustaining both her family and her vision. “Peekskill has served our family well through every season, the good, the bad, and the in-between.”

Lily of the Valley Floral Design stands as a business that prioritizes purpose over profit, while still remaining transparent about finances and struggles that can be hard to admit publicly.

She says that it has been a blessing to be provided with this opportunity to have a business in Peekskill and she remains committed to making it work.

Lily of the Valley Floral Design is open Tuesday – Saturday from 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM and Sunday – Monday it is closed. You can reach the shop at (914) 402-5000, online at https://lilyofthevalleyfd.com or through Instagram @pamlilyvalley

(C) 2026 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Joshua Anderson. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business, and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post Petals and Purpose: Lily of the Valley Floral Design appeared first on Discover Peekskill.

Peekskill’s Anytime Fitness Opens in Downtown

As the new year commences, Peekskill’s newest gym, Anytime Fitness, is opening its doors with a limited time promotional offer. Located at 1101 Main Street in the Crossroads Shopping Center, Anytime Fitness is preparing the community to take on the new year with a healthy body and a strong heart.

Anytime Fitness marked their grand opening with refreshments including fresh fruit, sandwiches, protein bars, juice, water and hot coffee.

A celebratory ribbon cutting took place on January 3, 2026 and was attended by Westchetser County Executive Ken Jenskins, Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie, the entire Peekskill City Council, Peekskill B.I.D. Executive Director Bill Powers and Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Catole Voisey. BID and Chamber board members also attended.

The gym offers 24/7 member access with staffed office hours from 8 AM to 8 PM, and trainers promote a process built around individual needs, goal-setting and customized programs.

“It’s very nice. They have a lot of equipment, I definitely see a good future with this gym,” William Ortiz, a customer who was granted a one-day pass said, “After today, I’ll sign up for a subscription.”

From benches to squat racks, free weights and Smith machines, the gym has all you could need to sculpt your body, your way.

But, if you need any help, AnytimeFitness is happy to introduce you to one of their three personal trainers; Angel Gudiño, Mabe Moscoso and Marcelo Luna.

“We start with a body assessment, then we ask some questions and design a program that fits your goals,” Gudiño said.

All of the trainers have been with the gym since its inception (soft launch was held late last year) and offer their training expertise on a daily basis. Moscoso started off by working out in her home gym before earning her certification to become a personal trainer. She now works six days a week.

“It’s amazing being a personal trainer, I love it,” Moscoso said.​​

The gym currently offers cardio HIIT classes Tuesdays and Fridays (7–8 p.m.) and weightlifting classes Mondays (7–8 p.m.) and Saturdays (12–1 p.m.). There are plans to implement Wednesday and Thursday classes as well.

The owners and their staff emphasize a relationship-driven model, aiming to know members by name, keep people accountable, and help them achieve measurable results.

“My uncle is a big factor in this. My father is a big factor in this and our staff and my cousin as well. It’s a true family business and I can never say it’s a one man show,” 25-year-old co-owner, Wilson Narvaez, Jr. said. Wilson also serves on the Peekskill BID Board of Directors.

Wilson is co-owner with his uncle, Ivan Patricio Narvaez. “It’s exciting being in the business. I love it and I enjoy it too,” Ivan said.

Ivan mentioned how he’s an avid gym-goer, he’s working out almost everyday—specifically with calisthenics, which is how he has lost more than 15lbs.

AnytimeFitness is equipped for multiple forms of training. Offering a large turf area with a bridge and bars to climb across, rings for acrobatics, pull up bars, dip bars and more.

Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie commented about the city’s growing business landscape and community development initiatives, specifically citing the benefits of this new gym to give residents access to healthier options.

“I think that it’s in a perfect location, especially for people who don’t have transportation, to have an opportunity to get physically fit and really support a local business,” Mayor McKenzie said.

“There is so much development happening on this side of the BID” said Peekskill BID Executive Director Bill Powers. “Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, the Peekskill Diner, Park Plaza and now, Anytime Fitness,” added Powers.

The Narvaez family began their ventures in Peekskill with the La Placita market at 1049 Park Street, just around the corner, but it has always been a dream of Ivan’s to run a gym. “Words” he said, “cannot describe” his excitement. While both Ivan and Wilson are still involved with the supermarket business they are focusing here on the gym.

The staff is available to provide answers to any questions and discuss training options. Gym-goers can also visit or call the office to make inquiries or to discuss personal training.

According to the staff, personal training packages start at $250 for 4 sessions with one complimentary session, access to the sauna room, and a nutrition packet included in the first purchase.

The staff has said that the gym has been busy, especially since the New Year, with increased sign-ups and pricing inquiries. Pairing the new year and their grand opening, the gym is running an enrollment deal of $1 (normally $100) for the entire month of January. Enrollment covers the first two weeks, after that there will be a bi-weekly charge of $25.

Anytime Fitness membership includes access to 5,000+ Anytime Fitness clubs worldwide, including USA, Europe, Mexico, and expansion into South America. There are multiple payment plans: one-year at $25 bi-weekly, six-month, and month-to-month options.

“I don’t want this to be a gym where you sign up and never show up. We want people to come in here, we want you to get to know us. I want my staff to get to know everyone that walks in the doors,” Wilson said.

You can reach the gym online at AnytimeFitness.com, Instagram @anytimefitness_peekskill, or call (914) 293-5511.

(C) 2026 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Joshua Anderson. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business, and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post New Year, New Resolutions: Peekskill’s Anytime Fitness Opens in Downtown appeared first on Discover Peekskill.

The street bounced with music and the storefront of Peekskill’s newest diner buzzed with joyful energy on November 5, 2026 at 9 South Broad Street, where local officials celebrated the ribbon cutting for the new Peekskill Diner.

The menu is vast and has everything a diner should–from pancakes and classic desserts–to milkshakes and burgers. They feature Spanish homemade plates and American classics—a “50-50 blend” of Latino and American dishes.

In addition to breakfast classics, they serve hearty lunches and delicious dinners made fresh every day. They offer steak, seafood, and all day breakfast. They combine the warmth of traditional American comfort food with a fresh, modern approach to flavor, presentation, and service. The dining room walls are covered with a touch of nostalgia–old photographs of Peekskill–and the seating is spacious and comfortable.

NY State Senator Pete Harckham, Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie, Executive Director of the Peekskill Business Improvement District William Powers and Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Carol Voisey attended the ribbon cutting, along with other city officials, family members, and staff.

“We are so happy to have another Peekskill-branded business in the BID District.  With all the development on the east side of the BID—the firehouse, Mid-Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union, Park Place Tower, and now the Anytime Fitness–they’ve re-imagined what a neighborhood diner can be,” said Powers.

The diner is owned by Eddie Hernandez and his cousin, Marvin Ramos. As more residents choose to eat and shop local, spots like this help to sustain downtown’s momentum, continuing to turn it into a walkable community hub.

Hernandez has been running El Bambu Restaurant at 3 Bank Street for a decade and Ramos is co-owner of Heritage Deli.

“I try to make everything good. The food, the service, for everybody to stay happy,” Ramos said. The reason they began this mission is simple: to fill a niche. “I’ve been working in diners for 20 years and we don’t have a diner in town, so I decided to make one,” Hernandez said.

The two entrepreneurs said that they learn every day and are excited for the future of their diner.

Steven Marks, the manager of Peekskill Diner sees the diner as filling a missing piece in the town—the two diners on Bank Street are closed. He has observed a balanced blend of English and Spanish speaking customers from many different backgrounds since the diner opened.

Marks is a veteran in the field of hospitality, working for the Hudson Hospitality Group at Taco Dive Bar, El Sueño, Better Burger and more. He is responsible for launch logistics, menu systems, POS calibration, training employees and schedule management.

“I’m essentially their jumpstart manager, helping them get their bearings and bridge the gap between kitchen and tables,” Marks said.

Nick Portanova, a customer and good friend of the owners, watched the entire process of creating the restaurant unfold. “After a lot of sweat and sleepless nights, it’s open and he can breathe now,” Portanova said.

“The food is lovely, beautiful, tastes great,” said Peekskill resident Joe Dunn.

Another local, David Otero commented on its location: “It’s a pretty nice spot. There’s not really too much over here, it was needed. They’re definitely doing it right.”

The diner is located diagonally across from the Peekskill Central Firehouse, sitting at the corner of South Broad Street and Park Street. Its busiest hours are 10am. to 2pm, but are open 6am to 9pm, seven days a week.

uilt on hard work and heart, the Peekskill Diner gives everyone a reason to sit down, talk, and taste the mix of cultures that define Peekskill today. Whether you’re a firefighter coming off shift, a WCC student between classes, a family stopping by for dinner, or you’re just in the mood for a good old fashioned breakfast, the Peekskill Diner provides everyone with a seat at the table.

You can reach the Peekskill Diner at 914-293-7418. They can be found online, www.peekskilldiner.restaurant, on Facebook at Peekskill Diner or Instagram @PeekskillDiner.

(C) 2025 Peekskill Business Improvement District. Photos by Joshua Anderson. Edited by Bill Powers.  If you are a downtown destination business, and would like to be considered for an upcoming profile article, please email us at peekskillbid1@gmail.com.

The post The Peekskill Diner: Where There’s Something on the Menu For Everyone appeared first on Discover Peekskill.