January 23, 2013 Update
Dear Friends,
We've been promising you exciting news for a while now, and at last we get to deliver it: In the spring or early summer of 2013, the Towne Crier Cafe will move to Beacon, NY!
In a beautiful old building on Main Street, we're going to build the new Towne Crier Cafe. Our intent is to keep the same great vibe, but with state-of-the-art sound and lighting. With a little more seating room, which we will be able to open up when needed, we'll be able to add some bigger acts to the lineup. And the food -- we're going to upgrade the menu to the kind of locally sourced food that will draw you in even without the music.
We're thrilled that we'll be staying in Dutchess County, and we're excited to be part of this blossoming community of Beacon. For some of you, the ride may be a little longer, for some a little shorter. But, wherever you are, we promise you this: The Towne Crier Cafe's new location will definitely be worth the trip.
Thanks for your patience during the long search for our new home. We expect to make a seamless transition when construction at 381 Main Street is complete. Until then, we'll be presenting five great nights of music & dining every week right here in Pawling. Hope to see you soon!
Peace on Earth,
Phil
January 23, 2013 Press Release
AFTER A YEAR-LONG SEARCH, THE TOWNE CRIER CAFE SETS ITS SIGHTS ON BEACON, NY
Main Street location will be the new home for the Towne Crier
PAWLING, NY, Jan. 21 -- For the past year, Phil Ciganer has been searching for a new home for his Towne Crier Cafe. And now he's found it. In the spring of 2013, the legendary live music club will move into a renovated industrial building in the heart of Beacon, NY.
"It's the ideal location," says Ciganer, who founded the Towne Crier in 1972. "Beacon has a revitalized downtown, a thriving arts community and easy access from the whole Hudson Valley."
The move was prompted in early 2012 when the club lost its lease on the Pawling, NY, location that had been its home for nearly 25 years. "We briefly considered closing our doors," Ciganer says, "but the overwhelming outpouring of support inspired me to pursue a new and better vision of the Towne Crier."
Ciganer's search took him throughout the Hudson Valley, and many towns attempted to lure the club. But in the end he was drawn to Beacon, with its Lower Main Street Historic District that is bustling with galleries, restaurants, boutiques and shops. With its vibrant arts scene, some new arrivals have even taken to calling it BroNo -- Brooklyn North. "And we stay right here in Dutchess County," he says.
It was 40 years ago that Ciganer opened the Towne Crier Cafe, in an old stagecoach stop in Beekman, NY. The club has changed location twice over the years, but it has never altered what Ciganer sees as his mission: to present world-class musical talent, along with promising up-and-comers, in an intimate club environment. On its stage have appeared such greats as Lucinda Williams, Randy Newman, Richie Havens, Pete Seeger and Levon Helm.
The new Main Street location, Ciganer says, will enable him to build a new Towne Crier, while keeping the same great vibe and respected listening environment that music & dining enthusiasts have enjoyed for four decades. He plans to increase seating by more than 50 percent, but with a flexible floor plan will allow him to adjust the seating to the act. State-of-the-art sound and lighting will be installed. And while the dining has always been a Towne Crier attraction, he plans to update the menu to focus on locally sourced food. "It's going to be the kind of restaurant people will want to visit even when the stage is quiet."
While the new location is under construction, the Cafe will continue to serve up a full menu of music and dining at its current Pawling location. "We're planning on a seamless transition," says Ciganer. "Our fans have kept us going for four decades, and we have no plans to stop now."
August 1, 2012 Update
Dear Friends,
I hope you've been having a good summer so far. We've been keeping cool here at the Cafe. We've had many great shows, and are looking forward to many, many more this season.
We have pursued many leads for a new home, and are narrowing the search. Needless to say, this is a very big move for us after 24 years in Pawling and 16 years in Beekmanville Hamlet, Hopwell Junction. Be assured that we will let you know as soon as we have any news.
In the meantime, we hope to see you often in the weeks and months to come. Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Peace on Earth,
Phil
June 15, 2012 Update
Dear Friends,
The Towne Crier Cafe is committed to stay in this area — we're now booking shows well into the future, and we've been filling — and rocking — the house regularly. Regardless of the "for sale" sign in front of our current building, we want you to be confident that you can continue to count on a great music & dining experience while our search continues for a new home.
Peace on Earth,
Phil
February 2, 2012 Update
Dear Friends,
Honestly, I was not prepared for the outpouring that followed our moving announcement. I've been hearing from old friends, new fans, artists -- even city mayors and officials from counties and towns inviting us to to move to their communities. More importantly, I've been hearing from many of you that really want us to keep the music going.
So I've got some good news: we've been able to work out an arrangement that will allow us stay here in Pawling until we make our move. And, we've already booked some fantastic shows for March (see below).
The new arrangement is month-to-month, and if the property sells, we'll have 30 days to vacate. In the meantime, our search for a new location continues, and we are exploring some promising opportunities.
We hope to have some news for you soon. But for now, the news is that we'll be here in Pawling for the time being, bringing you your favorite artists and great food (including our amazing desserts). Please check out our new shows and make your reservations now. Remember to check our calendar often -- we're adding new shows every day.
Again, I can't begin to express my heartfelt gratitude for your support. With nearly four decades behind us, we look forward to keeping the tradition of the Towne Crier alive for years to come. I look forward to seeing you often in the weeks ahead.
Phil
Original Message — January 1, 2012
Dear Friends,
After 23 years on Route 22 in Pawling, we are closing our doors after the end of February. Our lease expired and the building is on the market. Despite a string of recent sellouts, it's time for us to move forward.
The good news: We're exploring the possibility of relocating to a new and better location, and we hope to make an announcement in the near future.
Until the end of February, we'll continue to operate as we always have. We have some great shows scheduled, plus open mics every Wednesday and Thursday. After that, until we're in our new location, we hope to present concerts at a variety of other venues, celebrating 40 years of The Towne Crier Cafe in the Hudson Valley.
What I want to express most, though, is my enormous gratitude to all of you for your ongoing support over the years, and for having made the Towne Crier the cultural landmark it has become. Many careers have been launched here. Bands have formed here. Couples have met here, married and had children—and grandchildren. Some of you have been regulars since we opened in 1972, and I think of you as family.
Again, I want to stress that this is not the end. The Towne Crier has relocated twice before in its 40-year history. I look forward to welcoming you to a new and better Towne Crier location soon.
I wish you all the best for the New Year. We'll be here?operating as usual?until the end of February, so please check out our calendar and drop by for a show, a meal and our famous desserts!
With heartfelt thanks,
Phil
Towne Crier Cafe
Open evenings Wed thru Sun; Closed Mon & Tues
130 Route 22, Pawling, NY · (845) 855-1300
