Photos © Mary Kelly Photography

For the longest while Liberty Street happenings have been confined between Broadway and Spring Street. Available retail spaces are scarce for the first time in years. Up and coming businesses have to consider options further north and south if they want to be on Liberty Street. Susan Knapik is the proprietor of Oliver & Chatfield located at 42 Liberty Street. She’s new to the Newburgh scene coming from Cornwall, but originally hailing from Cleaveland, Ohio.

Oliver & Chatfield has been in business since 2018. Susan originally only wanted to be on Liberty Street in Newburgh. When all the retail options were full, she took a chance on Cornwall. However, when she learned there was a spot available at 42 Liberty she jumped at the chance. The store is a “general store du jour of great design, nifty gifties, home decor and earth conscious.”

Susan knows she might be early but doesn’t mind being one of the first on the block. Friends call her “South Willy” for the shop’s location at the intersection of Liberty Street and South William. She views her business as a small part of the change in the world, helping bring back retail to revitalizing downtowns, a shift from the suburban sprawl of the 80’s and 90’s she saw growing up in Cleaveland. She also has a background in interior design that she uses to curate her selection.

The shop joins the ranks of Panja, Simple Gifts and Goodies, and The Newburgh Pottery – all located south of South William Street. Projects that should be launching this year are the Untouchable Bar, 109 S. William Street, 41 Liberty Street engineering firm, and 2 Liberty Street.

Susan is fun and friendly. Make sure to stop and say hi!