Dear People of Beacon:
Do you recall the year the Old Dunkin’ Donuts closed at 435 Fishkill Avenue? Several Dunkin’ Donuts closed in the Hudson Valley during the shutdown of 2020 COVID, but an ALBB reader who goes by “B.” reminded us that this Dunkin’ Donuts at 435 Fishkill Avenue was already closed.

Do you recall the year? Please tell us in the comments below.

Roma Nova has since moved in, after a dramatic closing of the original owner’s 25 years at 6 Eliza Street. When the Antalek & Moore building sold to new owners for a reported and confirmed $2.3 million, rents were going up and all of the tenants moved out. Roma Nova’s departure was particularly dramatic, as evidenced in the Comments section of the Highlands Current article, which were later closed, and paired IG post.

The current Roma Nova on Rte 52, or 435 Fishkill Avenue is new owners, as the original owners Ana and Miguel Tapia sold it to the current owners.

Now a second business concept wants to resurrect on Fishkill Avenue that is desired by some, but is meeting vocal resistance by others. If you know when the first (if it was the first) Dunkin’ Donuts closed on Fishkill Avenue, please let us know.

A photo of the proposed new Dunkin’ Donuts at 420 Fishkill Avenue, which is where the Healey car dealership building is, is below. This location is across the street from where the first Dunkin’ Donuts was. This new development project has been approved by Beacon’s Planning Board on March 11, 2025, but faces a banning from Beacon’s City Council.

The photo has been taken from the Fishkill Avenue Concepts Committee March 9, 2025 online presentation packet.

This month, the Planning Board is reviewing a few large projects. Also included are hints of new businesses coming. The full agenda is published here, but we have condensed it for you in this list below:

Regular Meeting

45 Beekman Street: 1st Public Hearing for Site Plan Approval for this proposed property. Spire Studios was there, and Ron English’s Pop Art is there now. Otherwise the property is vacant. Proposed is buildings of 3 and 4 stories with numerous 1 and 2 bedroom units, plus commercial space on the ground floor that is referred to as an “arcade.”

Dunkin’ Donuts with apartments above at 420-430 Fishkill Avenue: Public Hearing for this property. Community feedback has been both for and against the Dunkin’ Donuts and the proposed drive-thru. As of now, Beacon’s City Council wants to zone out all drive-thrus to make the area walkable only. While this legislation has not taken effect yet, the Planning Board is instructed to proceed with current zoning, which allows drive-thrus.

The Telephone Building, 291 Main Street: Continue review of application for Site Plan Approval, Mixed-Use Commercial and Residential. Two buildings are proposed to be built here. A very modern looking building with storefront space at the first floor and apartments above, and a house-like building behind the Telephone Building.

Prophecy Theater, 1113 Wolcott Avenue: Review of applications for Amended Special Use Permit and Amended Site Plan, hotel and restaurant. Beacon’s City Council limited their hours of operation and scaled back their vision on their original business plan.

Halvey Funeral Home, 2 Beekman Street. Review of application for Amended Site Plan Approval, Addition to existing funeral home.

Rose Hill Manor, 1064 Wolcott Avenue, proposed to be turned into a hotel/restaurant/spa for guests. Review of applications of Site Plan Approval and Special Use Permit.

Architectural Review

New signage for The Floral Society at 161 Main Street; Sign (old location of Lorraine Tyne)

New signage for Estilo Y Vino Wine Bar at 173 Main Street (old Reserva Wine Bar)

New signage and facade for Brothers Trattoria at 465 Main Street.

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