Art framers buy bank building on Millerton Main Street hillside

MILLERTON — The owners of Gilded Moon, a custom framing shop on Main Street, have purchased the recently vacated M&T Bank, which is just up the street, perched on top of a hill.

Gilded Moon has been renting space at 34 Main St. for the last five-and-a-half years. Now the business, owned by Paul and Jill Choma, will move across the street. The real estate closing for the bank building, which has been an M&T Bank branch since 2001, was on July 29.

“We heard that the branch was closing and we made an immediate inquiry about purchasing it,� Paul Choma said last week. “It’s a beautiful historic building, and we wanted a permanent presence in Millerton.�

Choma said there are several advantages for his business, not least of which is the parking lot in the rear, away from the busy main stretch in Millerton. There’s also some parking in front of the building.

“We’ll no longer have to cross Main Street with big pieces of art to get to our customers’ cars,� Jill Choma said.

The Chomas are now beginning renovations to make the space accommodate the needs of their business —and to take it back to the way it looked in 1917. For example, a fireplace in the building had been boarded up and will now be exposed.

Renovations are expected to be complete in a few months.

Gilded Moon has a partnership with Hammertown Barn (a home design store); the Chomas said that relationship will continue in the new building.

Latest News

Racecars roar in NASCAR’s return to Lime Rock Park

High-speed action made for a weekend of excitement at Lime Rock Park Friday and Saturday, June 27-28.

Photo by Simon Markow

LAKEVILLE — For the first time since 2011, Lime Rock Park hosted National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing events June 27 and 28.

It was billed as the largest event in modern track history with an estimated 20,000 fans attending.

Keep ReadingShow less
Joseph Robert Meehan

SALISBURY — Joseph Robert Meehan the 2nd,photographer, college professor and nearly 50 year resident of Salisbury, passed away peacefully at Noble Horizon on June 17, 2025. He was 83.

He was the son of Joseph Meehan the 1st and his mother, Anna Burawa of Levittown, New York, and sister Joanne, of Montgomery, New York.

Keep ReadingShow less
Florence Olive Zutter Murphy

STANFORDVILLE, New York — It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Florence Olive Zutter Murphy, who went home to be with the Lord on June 16, 2025, at the age of 99.

She was born in Sharon, Connecticut on Nov. 20, 1925, and was a long time resident of the Dutchess County area.

Keep ReadingShow less
Chore Service hosts annual garden party fundraiser

Chore Service hosted 250 supporters at it’s annual Garden Party fundraiser.

Bob Ellwood

On Saturday, June 21, Mort Klaus, longtime Sharon resident, hosted 250 enthusiastic supporters of Northwest Corner’s beloved nonprofit, Chore Service at his stunning 175-acre property. Chore Service provides essential non-medical support to help older adults and those with disabilities maintain their independence and quality of life in their own homes.

Jane MacLaren, Executive Director, and Dolores Perotti, Board President, personally welcomed arriving attendees. The well-stocked bar and enticing hors d’oeuvres table were popular destinations as the crowd waited for the afternoon’s presentations.

Keep ReadingShow less