Visiting Sharon Springs

I have been familiar with the Fabulous Beekman Boys since their television reality series debuted a few years ago.  Then Jordan fell for them when she cheered them on to victory when they won The Amazing Race.  (And you know we love that show!) For those of you not familiar with the boys, they were two New York City residents (both transplanted there from other states) who got lost in a town called Sharon Spring, NY while returning to NYC after a week-end trip.  They spent the night there in an historic hotel, and on their drive out of town the next morning, they saw a charming farm which they ended up buying.  Eventually, they, along with Farmer John, became goat farmers.

 

  As city dwellers, Brent was a doctor, and Josh was a(n)  mad ad man.  Josh wrote two really interesting autobiographical books, and together they have some cookbooks.  They have a very popular blog and more friends on Facebook then I can even imagine.  I’m telling you all of this because last week Jordan and I took a road trip one day to Sharon Springs.  (And by the way,  this goat is not one of theirs.  He is a friend I made in Holland this past summer.) The boys were away on a book tour, but we wanted to take the opportunity to enjoy the fall colors and the beautiful day.  It was a little more than one and one half hours from Jordan’s home in Syracuse to downtown Sharon Springs.

We were happy that the village was decked out in its autumn finest.  I love it when towns dress up for the different seasons.  It’s a great way to say, “Welcome!”

 

When we arrived, we were starving, and so we headed straight to the Black Cat Cafe.  Being the sleepy little town that it is, the Black Cat was the only restaurant open.

 

After lunch we walked around.  Sharon Springs was once a bustling little village that was put on the map because of its mineral springs.   Several large hotels thrived there to accommodate all of the folks who came to “take the waters”.  This little shop is housed in one of those once-fancy hotels.

 

This is the American Hotel, which was closed that day.  We did manage to peak in the windows, though.  Since we were there on a Tuesday, many of the businesses were closed.  The village is busiest on the week-ends.

 

The American Hotel had a very inviting front porch.  I could just see myself sipping a beverage on this porch at the end of a leisurely vacation day.  The is the hotel where Brent and Josh stayed on the night they were lost.

 

 

Sharon Springs has several colorful gift shops.  The town got a shot in the arm when Brent and Josh moved there.  They now have a fall festival and a holiday festival.  The boys know how to use their public relations skills.

 

The true star of all of the shops was Beekman 1802.  It’s the mercantile that the boys own.  Its name came about because the farm they bought was the Beekman Farm, and their new/old house was built in 1802.

 

As we entered the shop, we were blown away by the hallway that was totally covered in these gorgeous wood frames painted glossy gray.  The ceiling was probably 10 or 12 feet tall, and the walls leading up to it were breath-taking.  I have never seen this done before, and if I could rock any power tools, I would find a place to do this in our home.

 

The mercantile is a masculine masterpiece.  Before the boys won one million dollars on The Amazing Race, they were pretty much living paycheck to paycheck.  In fact, Josh kept his job in NYC and returned home only for the week-ends.  Brent gave up his city job (he was working for Martha Stewart then) and labored to grow a business based on the farm.  The shop sells many products made from goats’ milk.

 

The shop girl was adorable and very nice. In my book she was the perfect employee – knowledgeable, kind, and not pushy.   I commented on the branding, and she said that Josh had designed it.

 

 

Sharon Springs has plans for growth.

 

This old spring house might be an original.  When I got out to take this photo, I could smell the sulphur scents from the spring.  There is a spa nearby that probably uses the mineral water for its clients.

 

There were lots of Victorian houses scattered about.  Jordan and I have a blog dream of buying an old house and fixing it up.  This one would be perfect, and it was for sale.  Maybe someday…..

 

I love this bird cage gazebo.  It looks like the perfect place for an afternoon Victorian tea.

 

Taking a day trip to Sharon Springs was a perfect way to spend some time.  We were able to get there in time for lunch, browse around, and still enjoy the fall foliage on our way home.  I would love to return to the little village and see it in another season.  I am sure it would be just as charming.

 

Take care.