Carisa Weinberg, a longtime High Falls resident with a love of gardening and a background in culinary arts, had always dreamed of creating a community space that would serve food and function as a kind of “living room” for the town. Those dreams began to take shape last year, when she saw a vacant building at 155 Main Street.

The building dates back to the 1840s, and much of its original character remains intact. Old yellow wallpaper features figures of 19th-century men and women dancing together, while vintage furniture and wooden tables and chairs add to its charm. This lounge area sits behind the more modern café space, which features checkered floors and a bar. Weinberg remembers when the location housed the Spy Social Eatery and Bar, where she enjoyed dining with her family.

Weinberg made an offer to purchase the building in October of 2025. The following May, the purchase was completed, and she began bringing her vision for Amelia’s Pantry to life: a bakery and marketplace where customers could enjoy a cup of coffee, a freshly baked pastry, and perhaps do some shopping in the back. Amelia’s Pantry officially opened on Monday, October 19.

“What we leaned into is exploring the different characters of the rooms. We looked at this historic bar that was in the bistro area, that nice, beautiful curve,” Weinberg said. “And then this room with a beautiful fireplace and wood floors. I felt this was inviting people into our living room. It's been really gratifying to see people sitting in the chairs because we worked so hard and so long to get up to speed.”

It took some elbow grease to get the building in shape. The restaurant area had been sitting out of use, requiring a “facelift,” and had to be repurposed to create “less a sit-down restaurant and more of a gathering place and casual service.” The outside, which the previous owners had not used, needed work to become what is now a productive vegetable garden. For Weinberg, who adheres to a “farm-to-fork philosophy,” the garden is a central part of her business, as Amelia’s Pantry will grow its own food.

The idea, Weinberg said, is inspired by her own love for gardening, a passion she shares with her daughter Amelia, for whom the café is named. Weinberg also ran a horticulture business, The Garden Doula, where she taught others about the “magical” experience of feeding their families from their own gardens.

“I think it's something we've lost in our culture,” Weinberg said. “I think that if we can go back to what really makes us human, which is growing and preparing and eating food together, that’s a basis to bring people together and bring joy to people. And I've seen that firsthand. And it's really a special opportunity to be able to bring it to the wider community.”

Weinberg plans to grow vegetables such as cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, chard, radishes, and garlic for use in Amelia’s Pantry's offerings, which include breakfast burritos, tomato-basil soup, and bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches. The property will also have its own fruit trees and flower garden, along with an ambitious plan to grow 500 garlic cloves.

The garden produced cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes this season. Radishes and arugula are currently growing as fall and winter greens. The fruit trees will take several years to mature while the garlic planted this fall will be ready to harvest next summer.

Of course, Amelia’s Pantry will not rely solely on its own garden. Weinberg is also committed to thoughtfully sourcing ingredients from other local producers. Early in the process, despite the higher costs and logistical challenges, she decided to partner with area farms and small businesses rather than purchase from larger food distributors. The market currently carries honey from Damn Good Honey in Kerhonkson, bratwurst from Raven and Boar Farm in Columbia County, and hamburgers made with beef from Falcon Fields on the east side of the Hudson. Weinberg praised the farm for raising its cattle ethically and “with so much care.”

Looking ahead, Weinberg hopes to bring the wider community into Amelia’s Pantry through workshops and events. Planned activities will range from bread baking, seed starting, and holiday cooking and decorating to special programs involving local students.

Amelia’s Pantry is open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.