As you may remember, Kon-Tiki Trading Co. closed their doors on Main Street in New Paltz after nearly 30 years of business, leaving locals and customers with a void for the one of a kind experience you got when walking through their doors.

Kon-Tiki Trading Post is up and running again, and has been for about 2 weeks now, thanks to new business owners Ana Lynn and MaryAnn Tozzi.  While neither has been store owners before, together they were able to bring back a piece of Main Street that has been missing since the closure earlier this year.

According to Ana,

It's not about starting something new, but rather continuing an icon that has been in the village for 30 years.

In talking with MaryAnn, she explained that she has lived in the area for 51 years, and went on to say

like SO many people, I was upset when they announced the closing that I really wanted to do whatever was possible to save it. I hung out on Main Street most of my teen years, and I really want to see a resurgence of kids and youth as an integral part of what makes the New Paltz village the special place it is -- eclectic, weird, accepting, and fun.

MaryAnn talked further about her love for the community and how that has tied into becoming a business owner.  Personally, as someone who lived in New Paltz for close to 10 years, that is one of my favorite things about the town - the passion people have for the town and community, and how they share that with one another.

A grand re-opening ribbon cutting and celebration is planned for October 28th at 5:30pm. In the meantime, welcome back Kon-Tiki, and 'kon'-gratuations MaryAnn and Ana!

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