Cathy Hennessy’s first sale hinted at her wisdom opening a custom-design furniture shop in Catskill, N.Y.

New owners of a buffet that Cathy had refinished with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint® asked that she autograph it.

“It was a surprise, but I was pleased — the couple enjoyed the piece as much as I enjoyed making it,” Cathy says.

“There has been a lot of interest since then.”

Exclusive product available only in Catskill, N.Y.

The Painted Piece is one of a handful of new Main Street shops bolstering foot traffic in the area.

The store welcomes shoppers, home renovators and do-it-yourself creative types who have heard how easy Chalk Paint is to use: sanding is not always required, fewer coats are necessary and it’s very quick to dry.

As an official distributor, shoppers from throughout Hudson Valley make the trip to Catskill, N.Y. for it, Cathy says.

“The store is a destination because of the Paint, people come from about an hour away,” Cathy says.

“We were the first in the state and the only ones in the Hudson Valley with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint — the only authentic Chalk Paint.”

Renewal on Main Street

After discovering Chalk Paint while shopping in California, she returned to the Valley and toyed with the idea of opening a shop.

The prospect took shape with encouragement from her family and a sense of renewal emerging on Catskill, N.Y.’s Main Street.

“We looked around for a store, it seemed like there were a lot of things happening here.”

Check out Main Street’s favourite book store, Magpie, as well as its gift shop, Mahalo.

Cathy and her husband had recently moved off the mountain to Catskill, N.Y. after living for more than 10 years in Wyndham.

“We talked to some Catskill, N.Y. shopkeepers and they told us about everything going on.

“We could see people were taking interest in the town.”

You’re invited

Cathy regularly hosts workshops at The Painted Piece to acquaint students with the best Chalk Paint techniques and tools.

See here for a list of upcoming workshops at The Painted Piece.

“I love the people I meet, it’s been a lot of fun,” she says.

“It seems that more people are starting to notice that we’ve got a good thing going.”