Editor’s note: The following letter, dated April 13, is among 13 submitted to the Highland Town Board in support of Studio 55 LLC, a pottery studio and gallery that Nonna Hall wants to open at 550 State Route 55 in Eldred. To read the other letters, visit this link on the town website: here. Also see the related news story, “Potter feels stymied by planning board delays,” at riverreporter.com.

Dear town planning board members,

We are writing to express our strong support for Nonna Hall and Jeff Hall (Studio 55 LLC) and their proposal to renovate the building located at 550 State Route 55 in Eldred, NY.

Positive experiences at previous location:

We have been loyal customers of Nonna and Jeff’s business at their previous location for four years. They consistently provide high-quality community art events, workshops and items for sale. Their dedication to their craft and their positive impact on the community are truly commendable.

Benefits of HALL SPACE:

We are incredibly excited about the vision for HALL SPACE. A space dedicated to art, pottery education and additional housing will be a valuable asset to Eldred. It has the potential to attract new residents and attract visitors to Eldred—which is usually overlooked for Barryville or Narrowsburg. This will benefit the Corner Store, the Corner Pizza, After Hours coffee, and the Brewery.

Nonna and Jeff’s passion and expertise:

Nonna and Jeff are highly skilled and passionate individuals. Their commitment to quality and their dedication to Eldred are evident in all they do. I have no doubt that HALL SPACE will be a thriving success and a source of pride for the community.

Urgency for approval:

We understand that the planning process requires careful consideration. However, a prompt review of Nonna and Jeff’s application would be greatly appreciated. Their business is currently on hold due to the delay in renovations, and expediting the process would allow them to resume operations and contribute to the Eldred community sooner.

Supporting small businesses:

As we all know, small businesses are the backbone of our community. A swift review process demonstrates the town’s commitment to fostering a welcoming environment for entrepreneurs like Nonna and Jeff. They are eager to invest in Eldred and contribute to its economic vitality.

Collaboration for success:

We are confident that open communication between the planning board and Nonna and Jeff can ensure all requirements are met efficiently. They are dedicated to working collaboratively to bring this project to fruition. By streamlining the review process, we can ensure a thriving new business opens its doors in Eldred sooner rather than later. Please do not require extraneous review by other boards + organizations.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Andrew Kline 

Antonio Gonzalez

Eldred