Ridge Hill, Yonkers

Speaking of why some towns get shopping and others do not, (and thanks for your comments on the Armonk supermarket story,) with Whole Foods’ announced move into Port Chester, and Ridge Hill opening in Yonkers, Talk of the Sound recently asked what

Best Buy
Whole Foods
Fairway
Target
Barnes and Noble
and Kohl’s

had in common?

They are “some of the retailers who recently took a pass on New Rochelle. The old adage in real estate is location, location, location. Well, for the purposes of future development in New Rochelle, it should be parking, parking, parking.”

How do you think New Rochelle can begin to attract the kinds of businesses it wants, if there are any left?

Riley is a 9 year old Wheaton Terrier that lives in Mamaroneck, and belongs to photographer Jacki Silberbush.

She says he likes to sit in the same chair every day and look out the window and bark at other dogs. When he sees a dog in person, though, he becomes suddenly very quiet.

This is a shot of Riley on vacation last summer at Block Island.

Over in Armonk, residents have lost their only supermarket, as reported by our friends at AllAboutArmonk.com:

As expected, the Armonk A&P has closed its doors for good. Most of us would agree that it was never a great supermarket, but it served the needs of the community. We stood in the interior of the store as everything remaining was being cut up for scrap material.
The entire store was being demolished and the walls and shelves were cut up and put out in carting bins. The scrap collector was on hand to haul the materials off in big dumpsters. The A&P’s outdoor signs were down.

Residents gathered to say their goodbyes to the employees; unfortunately, customers were turned away at the locked door.

Resident Marla Shechtman said she is heartbroken because the supermarket was the heart of Armonk and a place where she saw so many people in town.

More

If this was your town, what would you do?

55 1st St Pelham

This is the newish condominium building in Pelham you see from the train. Advertised as “one of Marbury Corners finest 2 bedroom units”  this apartment has crown moldings,  Brazilian cherry floors, and much more; the building has concierge service and a gym. One block to train.

See this home and all the MLS listings at theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

From Slow Food Metro North:

Every Saturday · Year Round · 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. · Indoors – Rain or Shine!  Local farmers, artisans and chefs will seasonally provide a variety of fruit, produce, meats, dairy products, and prepared food.

Weekly demonstrations and activities for the whole family! Take the $5 Challenge!
Enjoy a healthy meal for just $5  – created from our market’s freshest ingredients by the Red Barn Bakery.  This cuisine is ”epicurean slow food with a Farmer’s Market twist”.

In addition to lovingly created and delicious dishes from the local harvest, the Red Barn Bakery will also feature a weekly $5 Challenge – a healthy gourmet meal made with local and organic ingredients – because slow food shouldn’t have to cost more than fast food. This and other delicious dishes are ready to be enjoyed at the market for breakfast, lunch and to go!

Meets at: 351 Main St, Mount Kisco, NY 10549 (Boys & Girls Club of N Westchester) 914-923-4837

The market is managed by Sandra Lena of John Boy’s Farm.

Sponsored by John Boy’s Farm, Slow Food Metro North, and the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester

photo: moonstarsandpaper

News 12 coverage of Kujtim Nicaj story

Gothamist, WNBC and many others have pounced on the Rye Building Super story– the man who was busted at Rye Colony apartments for allegedly having sex with a tenant’s dog. Apparently he was caught on tape with the owner’s nanny cam.

An attorney for Kujtim Nicaj, who is married with two kids, maintains his innocence, says LoHud. Nicaj was charged with burglary and bestiality.

The victim, a Labrador Retriever, could not be reached for comment.

Today at Westchester County's Muscoot Farm, Katonah

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We found these beauties at Bird Jungle on Central Avenue in Scarsdale.

10 Juengst Rd Croton Falls

Starter home? Country getaway? Needs a lot of love but at this price, you could turn this into something fun. 1 BR, 1 Bath, large lot.

See this home and all the MLS listings at theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

Rye Marshlands - Catherine Wachs

Submit your local photo by email or to our looppool on flickr, and we’ll post one at the end of every weekday.

This home at 164 Central Pkwy, Mt Vernon, is listed for $749,999 in theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

Did everyone catch the Wall Street Journal piece about Mount Vernon? Bronxville for a bargain? Some of Westchester’s most beautiful homes are there, making it increasingly more attractive to downsizers and first time home buyers.

One commenter writes,

“Read the story carefully. If you have school-age children, you definitely do NOT want to send them to any of the Mt Vernon public schools. Other than that, Mt Vernon is a nice place to live. If you have a secured house, a good alarm system, and a really, I mean really, big dog.”

A response:

“North Side Mt. Vernon has pretty good public schools at the elementary level. The elementaries are relatively high achieving and economically and demographically diverse. South Side Mt. Vernon is a different story.

Sweet Sabina has been the perfect guest in her foster home. She is fully house trained (not a single accident!), loves other dogs and enjoys nothing more than being close to her foster mom. Sabina loves walks and is so easy on the leash. She sleeps quietly through the night next to the bed (although she would probably prefer to be on the bed) snuggled close.

Sabina is nervous around new people and new situations so a quiet, adult household would be best for her. She looks a lot like a wheaten-poodle mix, but she does shed. Sabina is even much more beautiful in person than in a photo — her dark features just don’t show through in pictures the way they do up close.

She is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, heartworm tested and micro-chipped.  The adoption donation for Sabina is $250.  To learn more, contact Larchmont Pet Rescue at (914)834-6955 or on the web at  www.NY-PetRescue.org.

Have a pet you love, that needs a home or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project”

26 Walbrooke Rd., Scarsdale

This 3 bedroom, 5 bathroom 1920′s era colonial in a desirable neighborhood is renovated and by its description, has plenty of natural light.  The listing boasts the 2nd floor has a large master suite plus 2 bedrooms and hall bath. Third floor has 2 finished rooms and full bath. Lush landscaping & flat property. Short walk to train.

See this home and all the MLS listings at theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

It’s hard to miss on a long stretch of Central Avenue dominated by strip malls, but there it is, looking like a red gift box you got from a crazy aunt. And Nana’s Attic is crazy in a good way, chock a block with antiques, costume jewelry, lamps, gifts, everything you would expect to find in an over-stuffed attic. You can’t possibly see it all in one trip.

Nana’s Attic 414 Central Park Avenue, Scarsdale 914-472-3806

Know a Cool Find? email us!

photos: Jacqueline Silberbush

Pelham police may have a suspect in the recent armed robberies that have taken place in Pelham, Larchmont, Mamaroneck and Harrison during the last month, according to published reports.

Kyle Taylor, 23 of New Rochelle and Mt. Vernon was arrested by Pelham police Feb. 15 following a traffic stop at Lincoln Ave. and Second Avenue. Yonkers police had a warrant out for his arrest in relation to robbery with a handgun.

A Beretta 9 millimeter handgun was recovered on an adjacent lawn near where Mr. Taylor was apprehended. The weapon matches the description of the weapon used in the other robberies.

photo: arenamontanus on flickr

This morning Larchmont resident Gregg Goldshall and some of his neighbors found this injured hawk on Echo Lane.

“We got the hawk off the road, it hopped on its one good leg,” he wrote in an email.

Someone called the Village Animal Hospital, where Sandra Blanco has a wildlife license. She says she contacted Animal Nation and the hawk is now at Rye Harrison Animal Hospital, which handles exotics, and is being treated.

Have a pet you love, that needs a home or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project”

15 Elmsmere Rd, Mt Vernon

This 4 BR 3.5 BA in the Fleetwood “estate” section of Mount Vernon seems like a very good value.  the listing calls it a “Classic Country Colonial, Circa 1920′s.”

It has a greenhouse and an au pair suite. Check out all of the MLS listings in theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

It’s the end of the day at The Kneaded Bread in Port Chester and Jeff Kohn has sold 800 rolls and 300 loaves of artisinal bread: pullman square loaves, provolone, olive, multigrain and more.

“This is no museum bakery,” he says, proudly. Opened in 1998, long before Port Chester was a hot foodie destination, The Kneaded Bread’s downtown vibe, delicious breads and welcoming, warm bright cafe had no trouble creating a following.

“People didn’t think this concept was going to work in Port Chester 15 years ago, but we believed,” Jeff says, referring to his wife Jennifer. “Half way between the Rye and Greenwich train stations seemed like a natural. When we saw the ‘for rent sign,’ we thought ‘why not?’”

He also knew a little about the area, growing up in Rye Brook. “I was 12 when Rye Brook seceded from Port Chester.” Now, his children go to the same High School (Blind Brook) that he did.

The Kohns’ faith in the area paid off. The Kneaded Bread is a success and 7 years ago, they opened the popular Q restaurant and bar, known as the only authentic barbeque for miles.

photos: Polly Kreisman

Town of Mamaroneck Police Department

Two big hauls this week by thieves in the Town of Mamaroneck:

At the CVS on the Boston Post Road, police report a Grand Larceny on February 7. At 4:20 pm, three men stole 12 types of Kerastase hair products, with a value of over $2000.00.

On Birch Road, another reminder why it’s so important to lock your doors. Between 1:00 am and 7:00 am on Feb. 9,  someone stole a Mac desktop, Mac lap top, Panasonic 100A dux camera, a Nikon 5000 camera and $1,000 in cash. The perp entered through an unlocked rear door to the house.

If you’re sticking around, there’s plenty to do. Here are some suggestions from the Journal News to do with kids, and as always, watch our Coming Up column.

If you’re leaving for the break, listen up:  In light of a marked increase in local break-ins, police say prep the house to make it look like you’re not away.

Speaking at a crime prevention workshop last week, Town of Mamaroneck police urged residents to create a “vacation plan” that includes steps like putting house lights on timers and stopping mail and newspapers. Alerting neighbors to your departure is another wise move, they said.

In addition, the Town also has a “dark house” program that under which residents can notify police that their house is going to be vacant so they can keep a closer eye on it. Residents in other municipalities can request police drive-bys as well.

Holidays, vacations times and summer breaks are burglars’ biggest opportunities, police said.

photo courtesy audobon center on flickr

Eco-friendly hybrids and sporty foreign numbers have their place, but, Nick Pagani only has eyes for Big American Cars.

“I go down to my garage at night and I sit and look at my cars,” Pagani says. “To me, they’re beautiful.”

Pagani – a guy born and raised in Pelham Manor who restores cars in the same New Rochelle shop his granddad opened in 1920 – has no shortage of stuff to gaze at.

His collection of 80 vintage cars frequently appears in period-piece movies (often with Pagani behind the wheel) such as Revolutionary Road, The Wrestler and Angel Heart. Pagani’s wheels are currently being used in the production of Inside Llewyn Davis, the latest Coen brothers’ movie.

This car will be driven in a Coen Brothers movie by Justin Timberlake

There’s usually one parked each morning in front of Aroma Coffee in Larchmont, where Nick generally starts his day.

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Down in “the Flats,” the gritty industrial area of Mamaroneck best known for car repair shops, the cable company dishes, small businesses and warehouses, there’s a hidden beauty.

June Marie Sobrito’s photograph of the Gutta Percha Rubber Factory captures that.

Built in 1888 at 413 Fayette Avenue, this factory churned out gutta-percha, a type of rubber, until 1919. Gutta-Percha is used in dentistry, among other things. Not much information remains about the origin of the building itself, which is now occupied by Blondie’s Treehouse.

60 Greenridge Ave, White Plains

It’s always interesting to see what the rental market is doing, particularly in areas where most homes are owner occupied. Think this price covers the owner’s monthly nut?

The listing says this 7 BR 7 BA White Plains house is “renovated to perfection,” and has high ceilings, french doors and a stained glass window and walking distance to restaurants and schools.  Check out all of the MLS listings in theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

With 100 different species of orchids – and thousands of variations when you break them down even further – Venamy Orchids in Brewster is a feast for any flower lover’s senses, so much so that it would be tough for even the finest botanical gardens to compete.

A greenhouse with aisle after aisle of orchids to browse, the store is drenched in color and spectacular beauty. Orchids run big and small, red and yellow and purple, plain and patterned. They also run the gamut from affordable, starting at $15, to, the way one orchid caretaker puts it, unapproachable.

The flowers are there to buy, rent, grow or simply admire, making Venamy a destination for flower lovers from well beyond the neighborhood.

Still, soaking up gorgeousness of that magnitude works up an appetite. Don’t leave Venemy and Brewster behind without first heading five minutes north on Route 22 to everyone’s favorite spot for road food, the Red Rooster Drive-In.

Venemy Orchids, 1460 Route 22, Brewster. orchidsusa.com  

Red Rooster Drive-In, 1566 Route 22, Brewster.

The Rye Neck School Board last night voted to accept a bid to raze the Gedney farmhouse, possibly the oldest building in Mamaroneck, as early as next week.

The demotion will reportedly take three weeks. A fence is already installed around one of the two buildings, built in 1790,which sit on property now owned by the Rye Neck School District.

According to Carol B. Akin, a Mamaroneck resident who helped to lead the fight against the Rye Neck School Board, the Board accepted the bid of Garito Contracting, of Yonkers, at a cost of $104,000.

“What was disturbing was that Garito was the only bid mentioned….the others were not given.  We wonder why, and what other bids were. The agenda was not posted on the website until about a day or so before the meeting, said Akin.

The School District begins winter vacation for a week after school on Friday.  School officials were unavailable at press time and will be contacted today for comment.

Trooper is a 4 year old terrier mix living in New Rochelle.  His favorite thing to do is play catch. According to Loop photographer Jacki Silberbush, who captured this shot, “He may look small, but can seriously catch it every time.”

Have a pet you love, that needs a home or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project”

235 Paine Avenue, New Rochelle

What would Thomas Paine think of the old neighborhood, now one of the most desirable in the area?

This listing says this 6 bedroom 2 bathroom Tudor style Colonial is full of warmth and character.

Tudor style Colonial nestled on a .39 level parcel surrounded by homes of similar stature in the desireable neighborhood of Paine Heights. The warmth & character of this light filled home is enhanced by the newer windows recently replaced in 2008. Many original details add to the charm of this home. The large fireplace in the living room awaits many memory making cozy nights. This well appointed home with hardwood flooring, awaits your signature touches. With the convenient location walk to all!

Check out all of the MLS listings in theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

We received the following note from the group trying to save the Gedney Farmhouse about possible action at tonight’s Rye Neck School Board meeting:

We want to bring you up to date — and right now, the news is not good:  On Friday, Feb. 10th, the Board of Education was taking bids for demolition of thIs 1790 Farm House.   This undoubtedly means that at their Wednesday, February 15th School Board Meeting, the Rye Neck Board of Education will set the date for demolition.  If there’s any action to be taken, it must be done quickly.  The head custodian informed us recently that it could be only a month until demolition after a date is set!

The Gedney Farm House is the oldest building in Mamaroneck, is the last building from the Federal Period left in Mamaroneck.  It was the home of the Gedneys, a very prominent family in Mamaroneck and throughout all of Westchester.  An early Gedney married the granddaughter of John RIchbell the founder of Mamaroneck before the house was built….Thus this home represents not only Gedney descendants but Richbell descendants, and is thus one of the most historically significant homes in Mamaroneck.

The Rye Neck School Board has been determined to demolish this house.  They will no longer rent it, nor will they sell the property….Our only alternative is to move the house.Non-Rye Neck citizens, the Historical Societies of Mamaroneck and Rye, and Gedney descendants found out about this only the end of October, and have been making an enormous effort to find a way to find a location and funding, to preserve it, and need more time… We have several leads yet to follow. But with no concrete proposals on the table, the School Board is proceding with demolition plans.

They let the Larchmont Historical Society walk through last week, taking “final” pictures to document the house.  Mamaroneck Historical Society’s turn was Monday.  Although the outlook seems bleak, we’re not giving up.  It would be a total travesty to take this historic house down, and we’re going to keep trying to find a solution!

You can reach CONCERNED CITIZENS FOR PRESERVING THE GEDNEY FARMHOUSE at  Savegedneyfarmhouse@gmail.com

photos: june marie sobrito

submitted by Loop reader Mark Lane:

There are people who think I am knowledgeable about beer.   Probably because I drink a lot of it.  And because much of the time, no one has ever heard of the strange brands they find me with.  So the topic comes up a lot.  I try to steer people towards a good American-made craft beer, particularly India Pale Ales, which have become an art form in this country in the last decade.

I now have a fairly narrow range of IPA’s that I will drink.  Has to be a strict IPA, not some “chocolate IPA” or something.  I prefer “American style” IPA: basic stuff, not the “San Diego” or “Belgian” style IPA’s, which I regard as abominations and insults to an intelligent palate.

Anyway…you may have noticed, Stop-n-Shop doesn’t stock a wide selection of American craft beers, never mind the elite, high-end IPA’s that I, with my refined tastes, now require.  In fact, I’m hard pressed to find one bottle in the entire selection at any local grocery store, or even “gourmet food store”, that I would consider worth the electricity required to bring it to a proper temperature.

So…where does one get these Most Excellent Beers?   Rye Beverage.   You may have passed this place without much noticing.  It’s on the Post Road, on the left as you are heading into Rye, next to the Gulf station with all the Corvettes.  From the outside, it looks unremarkable.

Go inside, it’s a different story.  Owner Michael Bergenfeld is a true beer enthusiast, who knows his product and will gladly engage you in a discussion of which beer might best suit your tastes.

On one side of the store, you’ll find shelves lined with many of the finest brews available anywhere:   Dogfish Head, Lagunitas, Sixpoint, Heavy Seas, Redhook, Cigar City, Southern Tier, Brooklyn, Flying Dog, Dirty Bastard, and many others.  Plus, of course, all your standards, like Sam Adams, Sierra Nevada,  etc.  On the opposite side, most of these are also available chilled in a wall of coolers.  And in the back, growlers.

Growlers have been around for a long time.  Some variety of the thing was used at least as early as the 18th Century, to carry beer home from the local pub.  Modern growlers are ½ gallon glass jugs, which are filled from a tap and snugged with a metal cap.  A properly poured growler can generally be kept (cold) for around 24 hours, maybe a little more.  But what’s the point of that?  Just drink it.

Rye Beverage keeps six fine American craft beers on tap in the store for sale in growlers, including locally brewed Captain Lawrence (which is the same as the Larchmont Tavern’s trademark “LT” ale,) Sixpoint IPA, and Dogfish Head 60.  Stop in, pick up a growler, drink it, and bring the bottle back for more.

Lafayette Road, Town of Mamaroneck

(even if it’s just for yourself.)

photo: Jacqueline Silberbush

In the spirit of the Valentine’s season, Spunky looks like she’s wearing her heart on her chest.  Hard to believe a girl displaying that kind of love hasn’t found a family to share it with.

Well-behaved around dogs, cats and the volunteers who take care of her at the New Rochelle Humane Society, Spunky used to be a house cat but when her family moved they left Spunky behind outside to fend for herself. A caring neighbor took care of Spunky and brought her into the shelter when the weather turned could.

As a shelter resident for more than four months, Spunky is an official NRHS Lonely Hearts club, meaning her adoption fee is just $45. She is already spayed, vaccinated, tested negative for Felv & FIV, & microchipped. Adoption fee also includes carrier, collar & ID tag, bag of Science Diet cat food and free vet exam.  For more information visit newrochellehumanesociety.org

Have a pet you love or just know a great one? Submit a photo and we’ll feature it in “Pet Project” along with adoptable pets

Each Tuesday, we will feature photos of one of the towns that help define us. Submit your photos to our looppool on Flickr!

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If you want to move right in, this 4-bedroom 4-bathroom open floorplan house near the Osborne School may be just right for your Valentine. Two porches, trellises and backyard, and, the listing says, a New England feel throughout. 2 car garage.

Check out all of the MLS listings in theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

Roses are red, violets are blue and roaches are just gross. But, hey, swath anything in chocolate and wrap it up all pretty for Valentine’s Day and it’s all good.

So why not go for the novelty this year and give your Valentine a roach – a giant hissing roach – of his or her very own courtesy of the Bronx Zoo?

For $10, you can name one of the zoo’s 58,000 Madagascar hissing cockroaches after whoever on your list won’t scream too loud. Up the outlay to $25, and Your Special Someone will also get hand-painted, artisanal chocolate roach delivered directly.

Even better: the money goes to help support the Wildlife Conservation Society in saving wildlife – even the ugly ones.

Photo: Julie Larsen Maher/Wildlife Conservation Society

Why “Vinnie”? Well, says his 12 year old owner, “It’s short for Vincenzo.”

Vinnie is a Golden Doodle puppy. His new owners drove all the way to Ohio to get him. They’re pretty sure it was worth it.

If you like the funky waterfront atmosphere of City Island, this listing seems like a great deal for someone downsizing or just starting out. It’s an in old school converted to condos a few blocks from the water. And it’s (almost) halfway between Manhattan and Westchester.  This is being sold at auction, so hurry.

This and much more in theLoop Real Estate Marketplace.

sunrise during virga, larchmont

theLoop posts local content all day on a schedule you can rely on, like your favorite TV channel.

Our new “blog” format makes it easy for you to scroll down to catch up with what you may have missed.

Our morning blast sums it up for you each day in one email.

Here’s how we roll each weekday:

7:00 am -  News
8:00 am – More news

9:00 am – Coming Up: a future event you might want to know about

10:00 am -  Cool Finds

(11:00 am- our opt-in newsletter)

12:00 pm – House of the Day from theLoop Real Estate Marketplace

2:00 pm – Real Estate and Architecture

Tuesday:     Our Towns;
Thursday:   Building of the Week;
Friday:        The Way We Were

3:00 pm – Police blotter,  Reader mail, etc.

4:00 pm -

Monday/Thursday:  Locals: Profiles of interesting locals
Tues./Wed./Fri.:  Art, Sports

5:00 pm – Pet Project

6:00 pm – Photography, sometimes a Double Take

All subject to change, adjustment, if something important happens, and your feedback. Tell us what you like.

photo: Sunrise during virga, Larchmont. Don Sutherland from the Looppool on flickr

Lots of local to love in Saturday’s New York Times piece about tearooms and baked goods like pastries and waffles and scones.

The reporter writes, ” Scouting four local spots on the brink of Valentine’s Day, I narrowed the field of eligible hot drinks and, not able to resist a little matchmaking, ordered attractive sweets and savories to go with them…”

There you’ll see Bread and Cocoa, A Proper Cup (both in Larchmont) and R Patisserie in New Rochelle. Delish.

There is also Didier Dumas Patisserie in Nyack, which sounds great.

And in LoHud, a Mamaroneck resident bemoans drivers that ignore stop signs in her Village. Maybe they’re in a hurry to get hot chocolate.

photo: starshaped on flickr

North Chatsworth Ave. and Myrtle Blvd., Town Of Mamaroneck

Same spot, about 1905 (?)

At one of the busiest intersections in the Town of Mamaroneck, just north of the 1-95 bridge and the train station, there used to be a charming country road with a well-known hotel.

In the photo above, which has not been dated, but was probably a little later than 1900, a banner above the car in the center leads to “Larchmont Heights” straight ahead and there is a sign for”Chatsworth Heights” to the right of center. That sign is touting that it’s a 5 minute walk to the station, lots at low prices on easy terms, high class improvements, reasonable restrictions, and inducements to homeowners from Chatsworth Heights Realty Co, Larchmont NY.

According to the Larchmont Historical Society‘s Lynne Crowley, the hotel was known as J.A.C. Ruppert Commercial Travelers Hotel.  It also had been known as The Larchmont Café with L.B. Tompkins, Proprietor, in the late 1890s according to a street directory of that time.

“Peter Reinstein was operating it as The Larchmont Hotel by 1901 according to our street directories and on through the teens. The building was reportedy razed in 1925.  An article in our files says ‘Peter Reinstein’s Hotel and Bar had a room so large that boxing bouts were held there..’”

Crowley also sent this shot of just The Larchmont Hotel, dated 1919. She says that the person in the doorway to the bar is Frank Branigan, son-in-law of Peter Reinstein.

Dash & Karen on a morning outing

You’re not seeing double – or are you?

Dash and Karen don’t share a home, but the best buddies, who both live in Larchmont, do share just about everything else. Both rescues from a greyhound racetrack in New Hampshire via Long Island Greyhound Transfer, Dash and Karen come from the same long line of racers. Both like long walks and even longer naps. Toughing it out on a racetrack is paying off for the pair; retirement doesn’t get much better than this.

A little behind on the Valentine’s thing?

It’s a party planner’s secret. Last year, Larchmont caterer Karen Malpass did a Gilligan’s Island Luau and a 1960′s theme 50th Birthday and she came straight here, to the Strauss Outlet. “Brilliant,” is how she describes it.

It’s not much to look at from the outside, but inside, there’s always a party.  Strauss is a no-frills explosion of party favors, plates, plastic tableware, snacks, balloons, tiki torches, confetti, pinatas, you name it, all at discount prices.

Larchmont: There are real estate bargains to be had

The Grey Lady’s piece today about Westchester real estate quotes local agent Jim Whittemore saying that, “until recently his agency had listed only ‘a sprinkling’ of houses under $600,000. ‘If there were three before, there are now eight,’ he said.

‘As the years have gone by since 2007, prices have steadily gone down. Now they’re stabilizing, interest rates are low and not surprisingly, buyers are jumping in with both feet.’

The example they use is a Dutch colonial built in 1923 with three bedrooms and one bath listed at $499,000. We found the house at 288 Weaver St. The price is the current “mid-range” in the area.

“The median sales price in Mamaroneck, of which Larchmont is a part, was $996,999 last year.” says the Times.

In Scarsdale, a couple scooped up a fixer-upper for $500,000.

Says the Times, “In recent months, similar scenarios have been playing out throughout Westchester in expensive towns and villages like Bedford, Armonk, Larchmont, Irvington and Pelham.”

All together in Westchester, 336 homes priced under $500,000 were in contract as of Dec. 31, up 39 percent from a year earlier.

Be sure and check out theLoop Real Estate Marketplace

photo: Jacqueline Silberbush