CITY

Apple Farm on Welcher Avenue Closes Its Doors

While the location at the bottom of Welcher Avenue proved convenient for some, apparently not enough grocery shoppers found their way to Apple Farm, which now appears to be closed.

A handwritten sign posted on the front door last week reading “We Close” made official what seemed to be inevitable. There just wasn’t enough business to keep the cash registers ringing, and for the second time in the past six years, another grocery has closed there.

The store opened to fanfare in November 2020 in the midst of the Covid pandemic one year after Peekskill Green Grocer closed. Then, in early 2024, a real estate listing said the owner of the Apple Farm’s Peekskill location was retiring and looking for a quick sale at a price of $1.5 million.

The 25,000 square foot space filled a void for a grocery store in that section of Peekskill, which saw the A&P operate there from 1959 to 2015. 

– Jim Roberts

Apartment Project at 400 Main Street Moves Forward

A plan to build up to 41 apartments at the lowest end of Main Street took a preliminary step forward on Aug. 12, when the city’s Planning Commission heard an update on the proposal and declared itself the lead agency for environmental review.

The developers of the project at 400 Main St., twin brothers Jake and Austin Deraaff, want to build a five-story building on a sloping property below Route 9 facing the Hudson River. The fifth story of the building would need bonus height and special permit approval from the Common Council and site plan approval from the Planning Commission.

Along with investors, the Deraaffs purchased the building at 400-410 Main St. from the late Phil Miller for $1 million in 2022. The land extends from the road all the way up to Route 9 and will present some difficult engineering and design issues. The site is located just around the corner from the Jan Peek homeless shelter on North Water Street.

Late last year, working with an investor from Brooklyn, the Deraaffs purchased the former Stop N Go Deli and empty lot at 716-730 South St., down the block from the post office, for $1.45 million from Marcus Perez. They plan to build 150 market-rate units on the site with 10% affordable units as required by city law.

In June, an attorney for a couple who rented a house from the Deraaffs in Ulster County filed a federal lawsuit alleging the Deraaffs defrauded an investor on a real estate deal and rented the plaintiffs a house with dangerous structural defects. 

The Deraaffs have not yet filed a response to that lawsuit. Documents provided to the Herald show completion of emergency electrical repairs and past due payments allegedly owed by the tenant at the property.

– Jim Roberts

Papi’s Back in Court Again to Get State Marijuana License

The owner of Papi’s Secret Stash on Main Street is heading to court for a second time to try and receive a license to legally sell marijuana, claiming there is no evidence that Papi’s ever sold pot illegally.

The attorney for Eric Sanchez, owner of Papi’s, filed a first Article 78 petition in the spring of 2024 asking that a court overturn the state’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) decision to deny Sanchez a cannabis license. According to court documents, the actual denial of the license only occurred on April 3, 2025, and four days later a Westchester County Judge ruled against Sanchez.

Sanchez’s attorney then filed a new Article 78 petition on July 31, going back to court to once again ask a judge to overturn the OCM ruling. 

The judge’s ruling against Sanchez states that around February 2024, “it was discovered that the Petitioner, Eric Sanchez, was potentially involved in prior ‘illicit cannabis activity,’ which resulted in the Petitioner being removed from the final [OCM] resolution of February 16, 2024, while presumably those allegations were investigated.”

However, in the new court case, Sanchez’s attorney quotes the OCM ruling that stated Sanchez has a “history of giving away or selling cannabis or cannabis products in an unlicensed and unauthorized manner after March 31, 2021, through a store located on a public thoroughfare, vehicle, or ‘membership club’ that sells cannabis or cannabis products or charges retail customers a membership or admittance fee, or otherwise poses as an authorized cannabis licensed business.” 

Sanchez’s attorney in court papers denies those allegations and states that “the evidence shows that Papi’s at all times did comply with regulations, ordinances and laws and the OCM’s denial of the License was arbitrary and capricious and an abuse of discretion.” 

Further, the court papers filed by Papi’s attorney claim, “In fact, as of the date of the April 3, 2025, denial and this petition, there has been no finding by any judicial and/or quasi-judicial government body that the Petitioner and/or the principal has been found guilty of violating any Village, Town, County, and state rule, code, or law.” 

– Jim Roberts

Terry VonHightower Memorialized at Ceremony on Aug. 9

Terry VonHightower, who died in October of last year, was remembered on Aug. 9 in a brief ceremony outside the Bean Runner Cafe. The bench where Terry frequently sat has a belt buckle of Terry’s permanently welded to it, dedicating the bench to him. 

After Terry died, a few friends known as Team Terry ran a GoFundMe organized by Leslie Masson to cover expenses associated with his death. With the leftover funds, Masson made a donation to two of Terry’s favorite Peekskill charities: The Ozland Festival, hosted by Scarlet Antonia of Antonia Arts, and Arts 10566, founded by Wilfred Morel. She presented the checks to them at Terry’s bench. 

– Regina Clarkin 

Peekskill Republican Committee Announces Support for Council Candidates

The Peekskill Republican Committee announced its support for Elena Muniz Walker and Garrett Dowd as candidates seeking office for City of Peekskill Common Council positions in the upcoming November election.

In a press release on Aug. 12, both candidates highlighted key issues and spoke about what they would do if elected.

“As a long-time actively involved resident of Peekskill, I’ve seen a decline in the quality of life, safety, and City Hall’s ability to fiscally manage the city,” Walker said. “I have received input from many residents who have real concerns that will be addressed by me as a Councilmember.”

Those concerns included “excessive” development, zoning law changes, failed code enforcement, and increased taxes.

“I want to be a voice for reason and change who will represent those residents who feel overlooked yet are highly impacted by bad decisions,” Walker said. “The residents of Peekskill deserve more than broken promises and neglected neighborhoods. I’ll bring competent and common sense leadership that listens, takes action, and gets results.”

Dowd decried the current state of the City of Peekskill and talked about his vision as a councilmember.

“Peekskill should be a shining jewel of the Hudson River Towns, but today it is a city on the brink of failure — too many empty storefronts, too much debt in City Hall, our streets unsafe and dirty — and a Common Council clueless as to what to do about it,” Dowd said.

He continued, “My pledge is simple: to put to work my 30 years of business expertise as an attorney to restore financial transparency and basic competence to our government, make our streets safe and clean, and fight to bring back businesses and jobs. Let’s build a Peekskill that is safe, confident, thriving, and friendly to everyone.”

The press release reminded residents early voting occurs Oct. 25 through Nov. 2 and that election day is on Tuesday, Nov. 4. Dowd and Walker will face off against democratic candidates Beverley Chang, Darren Rigger, and Charles DiGruccio.

Vivian McKenzie Endorsed by the New York League of Conservation Voters

Mayor Vivian McKenzie, who is running for reelection this November, received an endorsement from the New York League of Conservation Voters, the Peekskill Democratic City Committee announced on Saturday, Aug. 9.

The Democratic incumbent faces against independent candidate and councilmember Ramon Fernandez.

Julie Tighe, the president of the New York League of Conservation Voters, released a statement on her support for McKenzie’s bid for reelection.

“As Mayor of Peekskill, Vivian McKenzie has invested in climate resilience, secured funding for green infrastructure, and championed clean energy initiatives,” Tighe said. “From shoreline elevation projects to park renovations to a planned floating solar installation at the town’s water treatment plant, Mayor McKenzie is helping to lead the city toward a greener, more resilient future, and we are proud to endorse her for reelection.”

Subdivided Land off Mountain View Road Relisted for Sale

A parcel of land sloping upward off of lower South Street is back on the market for an asking price of $3 million.

“An exceptional opportunity for builders, developers, and investors: 9 fully subdivided and build-ready lots located in a desirable R-3 multifamily residential zone. This rare offering allows for the development of 22 residential units as-of-right,” reads a listing by Brandon Zappi of Executive Property Management Group.

Zappico Real Estate Development in Hawthorne bought the land along with two houses on Mountain View Road off Franklin Street in late 2022 and early 2023 from Warren D. Dyckman. 

In 2019, a previous developer drew up plans for the site with eight homes. That plan was called “The Enclave at Mountain View.” Several of those houses were planned for the steep sloping woods at the end of Mountain View Road. A new road would have been built to open onto Lower South Street.

“Perfectly suited for townhomes, duplexes, triplexes or single family homes, this is a plug-and-play opportunity for anyone looking to break ground quickly,” according to the Zappi listing. “Seller could assist with design layout and road construction if need be.”

– Jim Roberts

Peekskill House Prices Up, Inventory Down Year to Year

While the residential real estate market could be softening a bit in the Northeast generally, prices in the Peekskill market are holding firm.

According to Zillow, there are 43 properties listed for sale currently, nearly half of them at $500,000 or above. According to July 2025 figures cited by William Raveis from ONEKEY, the inventory of single-family homes is down 48% compared to July of 2024.

The median sale price of the eight single-family homes sold in July was $642,500, up 7.6% compared to a year ago. Homes stayed on the market for 15 days, down 48.3% from a year ago.

Even though interest rates remain relatively high compared to several years ago, it’s still a seller’s market. 

– Jim Roberts

TOWN OF CORTLANDT

Cortlandt Manor Resident Charged with Unlawful Surveillance 

A Cortlandt Manor man was reportedly arrested and charged with felony second-degree unlawful surveillance for the purpose of sexual arousal.

Yorktown Police Department said on Aug. 6, officers received a report of a suspicious incident where a man was accused of setting up a cellphone camera on Aug. 5 and recording a victim undressing in a bathroom without their consent.

Officers identified Cortlandt Manor resident Marco Vincio Condo Barreto as the suspect. He was arrested on Aug. 8. and taken to Yorktown Police Department headquarters for processing, according to Patch.

Barreto was later turned over to the City of Peekskill Police Department on an active arrest warrant.

COUNTY

Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway Receiving $1.77 Million to Repair Boardwalk

The Westchester County Board of Legislators approved a $1.77 million bond to rebuild the damaged boardwalk and upgrade the Briarcliff-Peekskill Trailway, a popular 12-mile park.

In a press release dated Aug. 14, the county said recent flooding severely damaged the boardwalk crossing Furnace Brook Stream, creating safety hazards for visitors. 

The county said the investment, expected to take about a year to complete, will elevate the boardwalk so it can better withstand future storms, widen paths, and create an access road for construction materials.

“We know the condition of this boardwalk has been a source of frustration for many residents, and we’re excited to get this important work done,” said Legislator Emiljana Ulaj. “Our County trail system spans over 200 miles, and it is a fantastic resource for everyone, offering a place to stay active and connect with neighbors. By investing in these spaces, we’re investing in the health and well-being of our residents and the strength of our community.”

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