Store with retro feel opens


 

PINE PLAINS — Valerie Morgan is not a child of the ’50s and ’60s, but her heart and soul belongs there.

"Today’s music is just not for me," Morgan said. "I like my music to be colorful, positive and melodic. I’m a sucker for melody."

Morgan recently opened Retro on East Church Street in the former home of Frank’s Pizza and Fine Lines Tanning Salon.

The store greets visitors with a window display featuring a Buddy Holly picture disc spinning around on an old Fisher-Price toy record player.

Inside, the store offers retro-style gifts and items, including candies, stationary, books about the ’50s and ’60s, Disney collectables, including Snow White and Winnie the Pooh items, and vintage Kellogg’s cereal mugs and plates. The store also offers items connected to icons Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and The Beatles.

"When I was a child, I wanted to marry Paul McCartney," Morgan said. "I love everything that he does. I think people underestimate him. I’m going to Liverpool to see him in concert and hopefully I’ll bring a lot of goodies from The Cavern Club."

Morgan moved with her husband and child just recently from Montreal after he got a job in Hopewell Junction.

"We decided that Northern Dutchess County is a better place to live," she said. "It’s quiet, much more beautiful."

Morgan said that she has big plans for the store, including movie showings, dances and karaoke nights.

"It’s going to be fun," she said. "We’re going to have a Beatles day where we’re going to show "A Hard Day’s Night" on Saturday, June 21. We’re doing this to celebrate Paul McCartney’s birthday. Hopefully this will be the start of more businesses coming in to Pine Plains. It’s a beautiful town, we just need more to do."

Retro is located at 2976 East Church St. Hours are Wednesday through Friday, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information, call 518-697-9087.

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