Hartshorn manages the site, and mother Sue owns the building, which has been in the family since 1927. Montgomery Row has five tenants now, two on the way, and only one vacancy.

New tenants lined up
"We tried to find stores that didn't exist in Rhinebeck, and people asked for," Hartshorn said. "We really tried to find businesses that were doing well and wanted to grow, but were more mom-and-pop type stores."

The five new tenants are: Changes, a men's clothing store with two stores in Woodstock; a men's clothing store with two stores in Woodstock; Hammertown Barn, selling home furnishings and gifts, with a location in Pine Plains; Janet Draves, a nutritionist specializing in alternative health: Gigi's Trattoria, a restaurant specializing in Mediterranean cuisine; and Oblong Books and Music, with a store in Millerton.

"Rhinebeck is the best location for a new book store anywhere between Westchester and Albany," said Dick Hermans, co-owner of Oblong Books. "It's a heavily trafficked community."

Tourism is the number one industry in Rhinebeck, said Karen Woods, executive director of the Dutchess County Tourism Promotion Agency. Places like Montgomery Row are a key factor not only in getting tourists to spend money in Rhinebeck, but also in keeping them there longer.

"Unique, locally-owned stores do add a significant value to visitors' experience," said Woods. "It's something that people want to experience as they travel. They really go looking for the specialty types of shops."

Hermans has been in business in Millerton for 25 years, and is excited about his new Rhinebeck store.

"I'm sure the tourists will respond," he said. "But I think we're serving the residents as well."