| "Change is the
law of life. And those who look only to the past or present are
certain to miss the future."
John F. Kennedy
Change is the order of the day in Mt. Kisco, a village frequently
called the "hub of Northern Westchester." As I glance
out my office window, I notice the leaves transforming to crimson
and yellow and the happy orange pumpkins adorning the church lawn
across the street. In the four years that Mt. Kisco has been home
to my company, this village has experienced a renaissance. Youthfulness
has been injected into its tired storefronts and buildings, yet
it retains the character that has nurtured mom-and-pop businesses
for decades.
Mt. Kisco’s 3.25 square miles are home to approximately 10,000
people. And Mt. Kisco is the only place in the world with its name!
Kisco is derived from an Indian word — either kiskamenahook
(meaning "settlement near a brook") or cisqua (meaning
"a muddy place").
Ten years ago, the business district was faltering. Today, it is
a bustling village with a 150-year-old rich history, accessible
to major highways and home to a new mammoth municipal parking lot.
Mt. Kisco has more than 400 shops, including thriving family-run
businesses such as Elephant's Trunk, Arco Cleaning and Thomas Fox
& Son Caterers as well as upscale chain stores such as the Gap,
Banana Republic, Chico's, Starbucks, TJ Maxx and Borders. The village's
40-plus restaurants offer tastes to please every palate.
Mt. Kisco has been able to sustain many of its pioneer businesses
— some as old as 30, like Smilkstein’s Childrens Shoes
— while attracting youthful and ethnically diverse entrepreneurs.
A major building project — the Mt. Kisco Outlet Center with
a new Target — completes a sense of confidence.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Westchester, Northern Westchester
Center for the Arts and Northern Westchester Hospital Center are
all proud to call Mt. Kisco home. These organizations often collaborate
on events and special projects to achieve optimal results. The Mt.
Kisco Chamber of Commerce, The Rotary Club and The Lion's Club are
also integral parts of the community. The school district —
Fox Lane — encourages learning, recreation and commitment.
People here put the benefit of the community ahead of their individual
needs. Perhaps Mt. Kisco felt the greatest sense of kinship on the
sad day of the passing away of Dave Feldman, a former Village Trustee
and Board vice president of the Boys & Girls Club. Dave —
also known as "Mr. Mt. Kisco" — was an outstanding
citizen with a strong passion for his family and community. The
outpouring of love enveloped us. "We miss you, Dave" signs
were displayed throughout the streets of Mt. Kisco. All of us miss
Dave, a magnanimous man who embodied the concept of community and
giving and left Mt. Kisco a far better place.
Mt. Kisco is a place where people live their professional lives,
residential lives and night lives. Diverse income levels and living
accommodations give Mt. Kisco the charm of a rural village with
the sophisticated choices of a small city. Recent years have seen
a wave of newcomers discovering the area and renovating older homes.
Mt. Kisco's residential market includes luxury estates, rental apartments,
condominiums and starter homes.
Even though businesses may come and go, Mt. Kisco maintains its
identity. Even throughout its revitalization, it has preserved its
historic character. Mt. Kisco encourages vital commerce, mingling
with neighbors or a long stroll. Simplicity at its best.
The majority of my working years were spent in Manhattan in corporate
skyscrapers, but it seems a lifetime ago. Hailing a cab, running
to catch the closing subway doors . . . all in the distant past.
My love of Mt. Kisco — like the village itself — keeps
growing and strengthening.
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