CALLICOON, NY — The ebb and flow of prosperity has been a feature of small towns since their beginnings. They go through stages of economic boom and bust, popularity and abandonment, flourishing and faltering. Every town has its day. The spotlight now is on the hamlet of Callicoon, which is experiencing a renaissance as new businesses come in and mainstays switch locations.

The popular river hamlet is lively with restaurants, bars (five, to be exact), stores of all kinds from antiques to clothing, and town institutions such as the library, the youth center and the movie theater. As has been reported in this paper, recently the town has seen major changes. The historic Western Hotel re-opened under the new ownership of Irene Nickolai. The inn and restaurant has seen success as customers new and old stop by to try the new menu of gourmet local food and creative cocktails. The rooms are open, bringing back a time when visitors flocked from the city by train.

Lodging in the region is scarce, as the heyday of the Borscht Belt resorts is long past. However, the Western is just one of the hotels springing up; the people who brought us The North Branch Inn and The Arnold House have just opened a new inn in Callicoon, called Nine River Road (located next to the post office on River Road). Sims Foster and Kirsten Harlow Foster bring their impeccable eye for style to their new digs, creating an eight-room retreat nestled on the Delaware River.

The décor features a color palette of blues and creams, and the furniture pays homage to the historic building’s original use: a furniture store. There are two common rooms and a kitchen, and Kirsten explained that all of their inns give nods to their former lives. The backyard has access to the river, where guests can put in boats, or go “next door” to rent from Lander’s River Trips.

“We’ve always wanted to be in Callicoon,” Kirsten said. “It was a great opportunity to be a part of Main Street, but still feel like you’re getting away.”

Indeed, the location is within walking distance to Main Street, where you can pick up a cup of coffee and a bite to eat at the new Café Adella Dori. The coffee spot opened in May and has enjoyed a busy summer season serving craft coffee and teas, and a constantly changing menu of quiche, salads, soups and more, all using local ingredients. Chef and owner Eva Barnett had a long career as a farmer and is now turning her passion for local food into her own business.

The café recently started serving coffee from Black and Brass Roasters in Honesdale, PA. The Guatemalan is the house favorite. Its hours are changing for the fall: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday and Mondays; 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays; closed Tuesday and Wednesday.

Shopping is an attraction of any town, and Callicoon offers unique finds. Yoga instructor and actress Susan Mendoza [Quinn] just opened a clothing and beauty shop, Lazy Fox, on Upper Main Street. The boutique offers artisanal and hand-made pieces such as lingerie and yoga apparel as well as beauty products from local maker The Farmacy. It’s the perfect spot to pick up a gift, so keep it in mind for the holidays. Mendoza likes to have a conversation with everyone who comes into her store and talk to them about the items offered. “Every piece has a story,” she said. The shop is open Friday through Monday from 12 noon to 6 p.m., and will hold workshops throughout the fall and winter.

Vintage clothing shop Ragtime Clothing Exchange has changed location. It was at the end of Lower Main Street by the library and is now situated closer to the middle. Proprietor Lillyan Peditto curates an eclectic mix of vintage and used clothing with brands ranging from Gap to J.Crew to Ralph Lauren. Quaint mid-length dresses from the ‘50s, techni-color dresses from the ‘60s and ‘70s, sequined ensembles from the ‘80s, baby-doll dresses from the ‘90s and modern-day outfits can be found there, as well as accessories, jewelry (the largest collection in Sullivan County, according to Peditto), handbags and suitcases, home items and more. Peditto mentions that they just brought in fall and winter items, like coats and sweaters, and she looks forward to decorating the front window display in a country theme with denim, plaid flannel and hay bales. “It’s a fresh, new, big space where it’s easier to see and find things,” Peditto said. “It has feng-shui, so I’ve been told.”

Lee Hartwell Antiques also has a new home, next to Café Adella Dori. The antiques shop has furniture, lighting, jewelry, pottery, art and other home accessories from the Arts & Crafts, Art Deco, Mid-Century Modern and Industrial periods. It also gets some American folk art and period painted furniture from estates here in the Catskills. In its old space is now Gallery EVA, a new art gallery owned by Eva Drizhal. The gallery features many local artists working in different materials and media.

While the country is slow-paced, things can’t stay the same forever. In fact, change is welcome. Check out Callicoon’s new cast of Main Street characters.