Food, Glorious Food

According to the USDA definition, Hudson is a food desert. But by other standards, it's a food destination. Not only has Hudson become known for its restaurants, there are, in this city of fewer than 6,000, two food emporia. One of them, Talbott & Arding, moved from Warren Street into a bigger space on Allen Street in 2021. Now the other (and the first), Olde Hudson, is contemplating an expansion. 

On Friday, architect Walter Chatham appeared at the Historic Preservation Commission to present plans for alterations to the building at 449 Warren Street, owned by Galvan and occupied by Olde Hudson. The plans involve expanding the gourmet market into rest of the space in the building, enclosing part of the area under the canopy and adding a skylight to create an atrium, installing solar panels on the roof on the rear of the building, and adding a fence at the rear to enclose a box storage area.

  

Speaking of the enclosed area under the canopy, Chip Bohl, architect member of the HPC, said he was "not troubled by any lack of symmetry" but remarked, "It would be unfortunate if the entire canopy were enclosed." Phil Forman, chair of the HPC, expressed the opinion that the enclosure would be "an improvement to the streetscape."

The HPC approved the proposed changes with the contingency that acceptable specifications for the windows and trim for the enclosure be presented at its next meeting. 

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