The Mary H. Abdoo and You Renovation Project has completed its first phase in the process to give the 59-year-old business an “extreme makeover.”

Painter John Spilbor of J. Spilbor Painting and Decorating finished painting the 1,250 square-foot space located at 260 Main Street in Poughkeepsie in just two days’ time.

For Spilbor, whose jobs have included Eddie Murphy’s Dutchess County home to large commercial and residential, and small homes and businesses, the job was non-eventful. “It was just great to be a part of this,” said Spilbor. To learn more about the products and services provided by Spilbor, call 845-227-5353.

Storeowner Jeanne Biever said with just a couple of coats of paint she sees a transformation. “ I still have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming,” said Biever.

The renovation project was a collaboration between the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce and chamber members: J. Spilbor Painting and Decorating; Lola’s Café and Gourmet Catering; Kreb’s Carpeting; F.W. Interior Design; Hudson Valley Office Furniture; Gloede Signs; and Get Real Surfaces. All are donating their time and/or products/services to benefit the formal wear shop free of charge.

Work on the project has finished and photos of the progress can be seen below!

About Mary H. Abdoo and You

First opening its doors in 1951 on the corner of Main and Academy Streets, Mary H. Abdoo has been a long-standing bastion in the City of Poughkeepsie business community.
The shop, which specialized in wedding dresses, flower girl dresses, and various formal wear was run by the Abdoo sisters. After a move down the street to the business’ current location at 260 Main Street in 1957, the Mary H. Abdoo store was to bear witness to many changes in downtown’s history with the opening of the Main Mall in 1973, a move that proved to be a death knell to many of the shop’s neighbors, the closing of the Luckey Platt Department store in 1981 and seeing the structure reopen once again in 2008.
Today, the store is owned by Chamber member Jeanne Biever, who purchased the business from the Abdoo family in 2007. Although not at a loss for foot traffic, Biever says that a more modern look would bring in an even more diverse customer base, and that is beneficial to all of the businesses on the lower Main Street corridor. Go to www.maryhabdoo.com to learn more.

About FW Interiors

The FW Interiors Design team is comprised of the following:
• Jane Henderson: designer/University of Minnesota / interiors design school/ contribution to design, space planning, furnishings and colors
• Steve Levey: designer/University of Akron/interior design school/ contribution to design, lighting selections
• Wendy Racer: designer/ Brookdale College/interior design school / contribution to design, carpet and flooring
• Darron Andress: designer/ Florida International University/interior design school/ contribution to design, window display, coordination of chamber members to volunteer their services and donations.
• Katie Butcher: designer/ Sheffield College/interior design school/ contribution to design, hardware and fabric treatments
• Joel Sasser, President, CPM
FW Interiors is a New York based interior design firm that collaborates on projects ranging from private residences and luxury model homes to lavish hospitality facilities and corporate offices throughout the United States. Their services include project management, space planning, design development, lighting, and various aspects of interior decoration. To learn more, call 845-632-3735 or go to www.fwinteriorsdesign.com.

Participating Contractors Include:

GNS Group ( Gloede Neon Signs)
Gloede Signs is a full service sign and awning manufacturing company that's been in business since 1922 and has been responsible for providing outstanding sign products ever since.   Their regular customers particularly value their dedication to providing quality signage at 97 North Clinton Street in Poughkeepsie, New York. To learn more, call 845.471.4366 or go to www.gloedesigns.com.

Hudson Valley Office Furniture
Hudson Valley Office Furniture is a family-owned and operated, full-service office furniture store founded in 1986. They offer a selection of new and pre-owned office furniture with their flagship 65,000 square foot location on Main Street in Poughkeepsie and an 88,000 square foot location just off Broadway on Wisner Avenue in Newburgh.

Get Real Surfaces
Since 1996 Get Real Surfaces, located at 121 Washington Street, Poughkeepsie, has been producing the finest architectural and decorative concrete products available. They  are committed to the same level of quality and service whether working on a single custom item or large volume orders.
Their services have expanded significantly over the years and now include a wide range of both custom and standard products suitable for residential, and commercial applications; as well as hospitality and retail.
The company’s Precast concrete products are made in Poughkeepsie  and the kinds of the work they have  done includes countertops, sinks, tubs, stair treads & risers, coping, sills, floor tile, and wall tile. All of Get Real’s  Precast work can be shipped worldwide.
Additionally, they offer On-Site Services within the Tri-State region and these services include Diamond Polishing – new or existing concrete or terrazzo floors, Cast-in-place concrete floors, Trowel Applied Concrete Microtopping, which can be applied to walls, floors, furnishings and fixtures. , and Cast-in-place concrete countertops and fixtures.
For further information, go to  www.getrealsurfaces.com.

Lowes Home Centers
Lowe's has been helping customers improve the places they call home for more than 60 years. Lowe's operates more than 1,700 stores in the United States and Canada. In 2008, Lowe's earned several notable industry distinctions, including: Ranked 47 on the FORTUNE®  500 and EPA & U.S. Department of Energy  STAR® Award has been given to Lowe's seven consecutive years for promoting products that meet the highest energy and water efficiency standards. Locally, you can visit Lowes at 1941 South Road, Poughkeepsie, or go to www.lowes.com, or call 845-298-4720.
Davis Furniture
Davis Furniture does business differently than their competition. They are locally owned and operated and sell name brands at low prices. Best of all, there are no commission salespeople, so you can always get the help you need, but will never feel pressured. They also offer more choices through their large catalog library. Visit them at 654 Main Street in Poughkeepsie. 

Kreb’s Carpeting
Kreb’s Carpeting is your one stop resource for carpet installation & carpet cleaning in Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, and Putnam counties and beyond.  They offer shop at home service at discounted prices. Call them today at (845) 797-2653 or go to www.krebscarpeting.com.

J. Spilbor Painting and Decorating
John Spilbor launched his painting business in 1966 and is proud to say he has not missed a day of work in 44 years. Spilbor painting covers a wide area from Lake George, NY to the Jersey Shore, and has taken on projects such as multi-million dollar estates large commercial projects to smaller jobs in residential homes and businesses.

Lola’s Café and Gourmet Catering
Chef and owner Edward Kowalski is a professionally trained CIA graduate, class of 1998. He has been catering for 12 years professionally and opened Lola's August 2005 to rave reviews.. In addition, Lola's and its owner receive consistent positive feedback from customers.  Recently Kowalski opened Crave Restaurant & Lounge at 129 Washington St., Poughkeepsie. Crave will feature only the freshest seafood, hand cut beef, and signature dishes from that Lola's Catering has been known for. To learn more, go to www.lolascafeandcatering.com.