The Old Store

Welcome to 412 N Liberty Drive! This truly unique home, once known as “The Old Store,” is full of charm, history, and character—perfect for artists, writers, and creative minds. Inside, you’ll find original features like yellow pine hardwood floors, built-ins, a cashier’s desk, and architectural details throughout. The main level offers a bright living and dining area, a kitchen (formerly the butcher shop) with butcher block counters, a half bath, and access to the back deck and backyard. Natural light fills the home, along with beautiful views of the Hudson River. Upstairs includes a full bathroom and a spacious primary bedroom with a large bonus room—ideal for a nursery, office, or walk-in closet—and access to a front deck. There are two additional bedrooms, one with a sunroom and another with back stair access and in-room laundry. The walk-up attic is finished, offering extra flexible space. A full unfinished basement provides great potential and includes walkout access to the backyard. Outside, enjoy multiple porches, some with river views. A separate structure on the property, currently used as a shed, was once a barbershop—adding even more unique history. Additional features include steam radiators, a new Burnham boiler (2025), well tank (2024), well pump (2025), and stainless steel chimney liner. Conveniently located in the lower Hudson Valley near Bear Mountain, Seven Lakes, and scenic hiking trails. Don’t miss your chance to own this one-of-a-kind home!

PROPERTY HISTORY:

In the spring of 1838, Daniel Tomkins boarded a sloop named Contrivance in Newark, New Jersey with sixteen men, one woman, one horse, one cow and a quantity of lumber and set sail for Tomkins Cove. On landing, a shanty for shelter was at once erected and on the following day they started the work of quarrying limestone. Thus Tomkins Cove began to thrive as a community.

By the end of the 1800’s stores and other businesses sprang up. One of these was Bulson’s Meat and Grocery Store. The store was located in the hub of the community. Next door to the south was Sengstacken’s Pharmacy. Across the street was the impressive Union Free School (built in 1874 by Calvin Tomkins), now the Tomkins Cove Public Library.

The building operated as a general store until 1966, when William Bulson died. It was then converted into an antique shop called The Old Store. In 1976, the building became a private residence. The owners undertook a careful restoration, preserving its architectural integrity while creating a comfortable, functional, and beautiful home that retained as much of the original character as possible.

The store is a fine example of a small commercial turn of the century building. It has large glass store windows with double doors to enter the store space, and a separate door leading to a hallway and upstairs living quarters for the storeowner, a common feature of these times. Numerous porches adorn the front and back exteriors. A small building on the north side of the property was once the local barbershop.

Inside, the original layout of the store area is intact complete with the long counter with its numerous drawers and bins. One of the drawers holds old record books with Mr. Bulson’s beautiful calligraphy. The shelving, too, once used for displaying everything from shoes to biscuits is intact. A built in desk by the south front window remains, as well as a board with a worn foot print.

In the butcher shop was a walk-in meat locker cooled by daily deliveries of blocks of ice. The meat locker was dissembled and the front, complete with its milk-glass panels and brass door fittings became a half bathroom. The original butcher block with its matching milk-glass panels remains an integral part of the kitchen. Other architectural details include wainscoting, bulls eye molding, built-in cupboards and bins. Over the butcher block is a brass rod with hooks that originally held paper bags of differing sizes.

After researching appropriate exterior colors for the period and observing the original colors, the body was painted sage green, the trim a dark green and the sash a deep red/brown.

Mr. William Bulson was an important figure in the history of the towns of Tomkins Cove and Stony Point. He served as Supervisor of the town from the years 1932 to 1935, and was often seen in parades in his open touring car.

It is impossible to say how much a small country store like Bulson’s Meat and Groceries contributes to a community. One can only surmise that much more than the exchange of goods took place there.