By Leigh Infield

Kosta Damianos and June Bae on the porch of their new Andes General Store & Deli.

On one of those absolutely beautiful days in Andes at the beginning of June –solid blue skies and lots of sunshine – I sat on the porch with the new owners of the Andes General Store (now known as the Andes General Store & Deli). June Bae and Kosta Damianos are a delightful couple who have undertaken the task of bringing our much-missed General Store back to life after a two-year hiatus. As we talked, workmen were busy improving the parking area and an occasional couple would take to the front stairs, asking whether the store was open. At that point, June and Kosta had only opened the porch’s side service window on weekends, offering coffee, pastries and sandwiches – a taste of things to come.

June Bae was born and raised in Queens, New York. She graduated from SUNY Binghamton in graphic design and later shifted to designing software. Kosta is no newcomer to the restaurant world. Born in South Africa, he spent his teen years in Cyprus, when his parents moved back to their homeland.  Coming to the States to study computer science at Queens College, he took restaurant jobs in order to support himself while pursuing his studies.  He started out as a busboy, working his way up to a server and later manager.

Six years ago, the couple closed on a house in Andes. Kosta had already been familiar with the Andes area, having come up from the city as a young man to go hunting and fishing with a friend.  “My living experience had always been that of the City—tall buildings, concrete pavements, and traffic. In the Catskills, you are surrounded by this beautiful green, peaceful environment. I was hooked.”  The couple had planned to stay at their house in Andes for short periods at a time, but ended staying through Covid and never left. The couple’s five-year-old son was born in Andes and is now enrolled in Pre-K at the Andes Central School this coming Fall.

It was last July when the couple sat on the Andes Hotel’s porch, looked over at the empty Andes General Store and wondered whether it was up for sale. “I had always had the idea of doing something else and thought it would be an exciting new adventure to have a general store,” says Kosta. At first it was just speculative talk, but soon owning the store became a reality. This Spring, the couple were busy seeing to new improvements – the parking lot was finished, the building received a new paint job (it now has bright orange trimming), new picnic tables made by local carpenter, Harvey Morse, and light pine shelving installed.

New picnic tables with bright orange umbrellas provide outdoor dining at the new Andes General Store & Deli.

From the outset, June and Kosta planned that the store would be as close to a grocery as it could be. “We wanted to support the town and stock the kind of items customers need and love, at affordable prices.”  They also wanted to serve the community by keeping the store open all year long – not just in the summertime. The couple have also stayed true to past iterations of the store, while giving it new life.  They met Don Hogan, who owned the store for many years before his retirement. Under his ownership, the store became a popular spot where folks would meet to share talk over coffee and a sandwich. Hogan’s Heros (no relation to the popular television series) were customer favorites. “The store’s central location in the heart of the hamlet has always determined its role in the community as a vital hub, Kosta adds. “Now, it will take up this role once again, becoming a place built on good memories and yes, good food.”

The new store’s main counter stocked with candy bars and snacks. The glass case holds croissants and other freshly baked goods.

The new owners are also working with local farmers and makers. As of this writing, they have lined up Dar-View Maple in Delancey, Andes providers–Gladstone Farm for meat and Hillside Honey and Walton producers Double B Farm for chicken and coffee from the Rock Royal Farm.. Delhi’s Tay Tea is providing tea selections while Cowbelle in Jefferson provides dairy products. The couple are continuing to work with local providers and anticipate more locally-made items will soon be on the store’s shelves.

The Andes General Store & Deli is now fully up and running seven days a week, serving specialty sandwiches and during the summer months, ice cream from the store’s side service window. Customers can eat-in at the store’s long counter or take their order outside to the new picnic tables. The store’s shelves have rapidly filled with household staples –cereals, batteries, light bulbs, dish detergent, canned goods, as well as snacks, pet food and more. A refrigerated section holds beverages, including beer, dairy products and locally produced meat and chicken. June and Kasta add, “Come and talk to us. If you need something, tell us and we will stock it. We are here to serve the community.”

A personal aside. One evening I was driving back to Andes, after a full day of work. I wanted to treat myself to my favorite Haagen Dazs ice cream flavor — Dulce de Leche (caramel mixed in with sweetened condensed milk). I remembered spotting a small container – perfectly sized for single consumption – at the new Andes General Store & Deli. The store was closing in fifteen minutes. Would I get there in time? Yes!  I came away with my coveted ice cream without having to drive another fourteen miles to find it. And, for me that’s one of the beauties of the new Andes General Store & Deli. It’s convenience. And it’s well stocked. Another is it’s flaky French-style croissants. One bite and I am instantly transported back to Paris, enjoying a croissant and coffee at a Left Bank café. I’m actually sitting under a bright orange umbrella looking out at Main Street, Andes. But the croissants remind of the Parisian version. They are so good, they’re addictive. So, is the store’s good cup of coffee.

An inviting eat-in counter at the new Andes General Store & Deli.

Summer hours are Monday-Saturday 6am-8pm; the kitchen closes daily at 4pm. Sunday the store is open 7am to 4pm. The store is located at 103 Main Street across from the Andes Hotel. Phone: 845-676-6040. E-mail:

AndesGeneralDeli@gmail.com, website: andesgeneral.com. Follow the store on Facebook and Instagram. ~