ELDRED, NY — Jessie Lazar has a vision. A vision of a shared community space, where people and artisans can gather. Where children can immerse themselves in art, craft, theater and creativity. Where library patrons can come for storytime, and children and their families can become more connected to the community they live in.

If the soft opening of Sullivan Public, located in the heart of Eldred behind the Sunshine Hall Library, is any indication of the future, she is well on her way to accomplishing her vision. The large former highway garage was packed full of vendors, craft tables for kids, vintage and sustainable clothing, flowers and a plant sale fundraiser for the local Montessori school. Pop-up vendors—including Bimbimbus Korean Food, and Nikki C’s Lobster Rolls & Shrimp Tacos, and Churchill After Hours were serving up dynamic food and beverage. Picnic tables were full of chatting neighbors. 

Lazar, a potter, has had a small studio space next to Irene’s Diner for the past three years. She and her husband, Crandall Miller, and their daughter Lula migrated from New York City to Eldred during the pandemic. They found that they were happy living here and decided to stay. For her family, and others like her, she yearned for more activities and chances for community with other young families. She wanted to create synergy with other organizations. And with that vision came the goal to create a public community space and more opportunities for connections. Connections that are multiple layered and intertwined with art and creative growth.

With the larger studio space, Lazar will expand her own pottery business with teaching workshops and classes. She will be opening up the space to other artisans. She will actively partner with the library to provide programming, and is working with the Chi Hive of Narrowsburg, which aspires to foster healthy living with education and youth activities. And she’s looking for involve others in creating this shared community hub. “Everyone has been so supportive,” she said, while surveying the crowd of people who came out to the opening. “The town, the library.” 

“This is truly a transformation,” said Callicoon resident Melissa Easton, as she looked around the former Town of Highland Highway Garage.

“It is a vision to transform something to draw people together,” Lazar said. And indeed it is.

For more about Sullivan Public, visit https://www.sullivanpublic.com.

The large indoor space, made more spacious with open garage bay doors, hosted children's craft activities, a plant sale, a flower arrangement …