Local bakery is doing their part to make that happen
Muffins and scones and cupcakes and whoopie pies and brownies and cookies and cream puffs and cinnamon rolls and crumb cake…
Oh my.
And that’s not to mention the sandwiches and salads and coffee and breakfasts and cakes and pies …
We’re talking about the menu of Bear Mountain Bakery and Cafe, one of Highland Falls’ newest Main St. businesses. The restaurant, located on a cozy corner next to Village Hall, is eight months old and becoming a local hot spot.
It could be the sweet smells that come from it six days a week. It could be the friendly owner — Eddie Major — and his staff. It could be the mission statement of ‘Honor God. Honor People. Honor Food’. Or, it could just be a great place to get a good cup of coffee, a sweet treat and to sit awhile.
Major, who initially partnered with Highland Falls’ Paul Walker eight months ago to open the shop, is a New York City native who attended West Point. While in school at the Military Academy he says he’s a little bit embarrassed to admit that he “didn’t get out into Highland Falls all that much.” But, that’s all changed now.
Major is spending 40-60 hours a week tending to his ‘baby’ — that’s along with his continued service in the US Army Reserves.
He notes two things. One, he never imagined ‘growing up’ to be a bakery owner. Two, for the record, he’s not much of a baker.
“I’m definitely more of a consumer of good food, rather than the maker of it,” he said.
That’s why he’s hired a staff who he says is putting out “fresh, scratch baked, with love” food on a daily basis. Manager Matt Solari is usually at the counter, he’s also the social media guy, and really knows coffee well. Mari Lamboy is a “phenomenal” baker, with good ideas, and Anna Grant is her assistant in the kitchen. The two women work overnight to make sure that everything the bakery sells is as fresh as possible.
In fact, Major often makes the rounds of community meetings and events in the evenings, and most often has a bakery box full of the day’s goods that need to be eaten before they pass that point of perfectly fresh.
“I want to help bring the Town of Highlands together. I employ people who live here, and am growing a customer base of people who live here. I believe food brings people together — we can ‘do life’ over good food.”
So how did he end up at 307 Main St.?
“I left active duty on June 1, 2018 (he’d graduated from West Point in 2007),” he says. “I’d been living in Highland Falls for three years while stationed at West Point working with the Army Corps of Engineers. I wasn’t really interested in corporate life in New York City, and I saw potential in the Town of Highlands. I wanted to be a part of it.”
It took a little while to get the bakery going — they’ll be open a year in October — but Major is happy with the look of his establishment and the business they are doing. He says cookies, scones and brownies are among his top sellers, and he’s looking forward to spending the summer and early fall on Sundays at the Farmers Market in Highland Falls. There, he and Solari will be selling one of their newest items — not something they bake but are proud to sell — organic breads from Kingston’s Bread Alone. Those who like the bread can also place orders for it for during the week at the bakery — the list of breads that are sold is impressive.
But, no more impressive than tasty bacon and egg sandwiches on biscuits, grilled cheese sandwiches followed by a fresh cookie, or a cold-brewed coffee on a hot summer afternoon.
The bakery’s menu is not huge — “everything we serve we want to do exceptionally well, that’s why we have a limited menu,” Major said. “Good food takes time.”
For the summer, the bakery will be open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays. The hours change slightly each season.
Major and his staff pride themselves on accommodating special requests — like vegan baked goods, decorated cookie cakes, gluten free products and more. To request something special, call 845-977-8020. Major and his team can also be reached at info@bearmtbakery.com