By Madeline Oden, BXV for BXV Stronger Together

Oct. 28, 2020:  Every week since early September, MHTB has been featuring articles about local businesses. These articles are written by Madeline Oden, Jane Staunton and Kerry Walsh of BXV for BXV Stronger Together. Below is our current feature.  Links to previous Spotlight features is at the end of this article.  Enjoy!

Silk Road, 101 Pondfield Road, Bronxville

In 2007 just before the financial crisis hit, Susan Piper and a partner opened East India Designs, as Silk Road was first known. The genesis of the business was a Concordia College trip to India, where Sue was inspired by the beautiful colors, fabrics, and decorative items. 

As she reveled in the experience, her wheels started to turn. With no retail experience, Sue took the plunge and opened the shop. Readers may remember Cliffhangers, a shop owned by Joy Kilbourne. Sue is grateful to Joy, who became a friend and great mentor.  

A Vassar College graduate, Sue’s open and friendly demeanor served her well in her successful 30-year career in human resources at IBM. She and husband Gene raised daughter Anne in Bronxville and continue to live in the village. 

With travel plans on hold, Sue still thinks internationally. Her daughter, who works for Epic Medical Systems, lives in Finland with her husband, who has developed an online program for teaching science to 3 to 8 year olds.  

The products available at Silk Road have evolved based on customers’ interest in traditional decorative pieces to make “at home time cozy and memorable.” Sue occasionally brings in product lines requested by loyal customers. 

Clearly, her formula works as Silk Road received a 2020 Best of Westchester Award for shops and boutiques. There are napkins and placemats, cookware and serving pieces, crystal, hostess gifts, jewelry, and more. Check it out at www.silkroadny.com.  

Silk Road opens at 11 am Tuesday-Saturday, and the team is available by text, phone, or email. Private appointments can be scheduled. During the holiday season, gifts are wrapped and on your doorstep within 24 hours. If you pop into the store, wear a mask, and bring your dog. A true dog lover, Sue always has treats and water on hand.

Cookies N' Cream, 10 Park Place, Bronxville

Joseph Edwards, a true entrepreneur, was set to open Cookies N' Cream in March 2020, planning to add it to his other local businesses, Graceland Florist in Mount Vernon and SwirlNJoy in Tuckahoe, a frozen yogurt and edibles shop. His timing was not ideal. When the shutdown eased, Joe opened on June 9. 

Living in Eastchester with his partner of 27 years, Chris Parra, and 9-year-old twins Nico and Natalia, Joe says Bronxville "is like my backyard. I do most of my shopping here." He thought BXV was missing a "little dessert and ice cream shop." 

Seeking the best ice cream, Joe settled on Longford's, "a local small-batch ice cream known for its homestyle texture and natural taste. You're going to taste the vanilla bean, the cocoa bean."  

Cookies N' Cream makes 12-15 types of over-sized cookies in the store. And check out the cereal bar. Joe is eager for the time when he can offer cooking classes and host "bake your own cookies" birthday parties, but for now, he "would rather be very cautious."  

On the home front, two puppies have arrived, a Havanese for Natalia and a beagle for Nico. "When you have twin children, you have to get two of everything." Arriving just after the school shutdown, the puppies have proven "a great distraction from IPads." You can see the twins sitting on a park bench in the mural Joe had created for the shop. Joe tries to be "as present as possible with my children," but he squeezes in tennis and working with his trainer when he can.

Joe knew BXV was a special village, but he "never realized how supportive the community was." Cookies N' Cream opens later in the morning, so a "neighboring store will accept deliveries for me" and about customers, "I can only say positive things." 

Fine Arts Gallery, 99 Pondfield Road, Bronxville

Florence Restivo Kooluris opened the Fine Arts Gallery 31 years ago in keeping with her philosophy that "the world would be such a dark place without music and art." Surrounded by "fine art, furniture, rugs and music" in her childhood home, Florence developed her artistic sensibility early in life. 

After studying art and then working for Grey Advertising and Saks Fifth Avenue, Florence was hired as a Senior Graphic Designer at Bristol Myers Squibb, where she met husband George. The arrival of three sons prompted their move from Manhattan to Bronxville.

When the boys were somewhat independent, Florence opened the gallery as a resource for framing and a space to show the work of the local artists she takes great pleasure in nurturing. 

Check out the pop art sensibility of Terence Finch or Patt Baldino's exquisite still life paintings. On the framing side of the business, Florence believes an artwork shines when framed with the perfect mat and frame, and she "measures twice and cuts once." It's like "putting the right shoes with the right dress."

In her free time, Florence cooks, a passion stemming from her "100% Sicilian" heritage. She's been told that her 123" long stove has "more cooking power that Bobby Flay's." For his birthday, grandson Douglas recently requested ravioli with vodka sauce, chocolate cake, and cookies to take home.

Florence celebrates the many committed small business owners in "this wonderful village" and hopes shoppers appreciate the complexity of running "a mom and pop store."

A brass plaque of Florence's beloved pug "Jake" is next to the front door. Rub "Jake" and make a wish. It will bring a ray of light into your day. It's Florence's way of taking a sweet memory and turning it into hope for the future.   

Other Spotlight Features

If you'd like to read about other businesses in town, click on these links for other Spotlight Features.

Spotlight on Found Herbal, Mossy Fern, and Provisions for Pets

Spotlight on Booskerdoo, Bronxville Jewelers 90 and Station Plaza Wine

Spotlight on Bronxville Fitness Club, Fabio's Hair Studio & Wild Vine & Liquors

Spotlight on Adrian East, Bronxville Furriers and Beer Noggin

Spotlight on Chantilly Patisserie and Bakeshop, Enrico Gargano Hair & Hickey's Del

Spotlight on Ladle of Love, Mrs. Morgan's Flower Shop & Gillard's

Spotlight on Slave to the Grind, Maison Rouge & Continental 109 Salon

Spotlight on Brother's Fresh Fruit and Vegetables, Mini's Prime Meats & Park Place Bagels

Spotlight on Bayside Travel, Trapp Opticians and Whim

Photo at top: A.Warner; Other photos provided by M. Oden

Editor's note: As a public service, MyhometownBronxville publishes articles from local institutions, officeholders, and individuals. MyhometownBronxville does not fact-check statements therein, and any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the thinking of its staff.