In these waning days of summer, two long-standing giants in Western Sullivan saw big changes – Peck’s Markets and the Villa Roma Resort. Both entities have cemented their place in the community over the years. Both entities have recently found new ownership. 

The sales were generally accepted as a boon to all involved, as the local grocery chain will retain its employees and employee-owned status, and the deal for the resort was closed after four years of negotiations. For the most part, the beneficiary of the deals will be the customers and supporters of the businesses.

In light of these changes, we express our thanks to the people who worked hard on the upkeep of the Peck’s Markets stores and the Villa Roma since their inception. Countless visitors and residents to the area have found convenience and entertainment for many, many years, and that was no accident. The pursuit of providing these essentials was purposeful, and we hope that the new leaders of the respective organizations keep up those same historied promises. 

However, despite the success of the sale of the Villa Roma, the closing of the sale was followed up by a heavy loss. Not even a full week after the passing of the torch, former Villa Roma owner, Marty Passante, passed away after over five decades of ownership.

Marty gave his entire adult life to the pride and product of the Villa Roma. Under his guidance, the resort upheld standards for decades that are still appreciated by countless vassals of the surrounding communities. The past few days have seen an outpouring of support for the Passante family and gratitude for all the work that Marty has put into one of Callicoon’s biggest attractions. 

His vision of what could have been when he first purchased the property truly came to be reality. The ongoing dream for the Italian-themed resort has since been entrusted to Fay Entertainment, and we hope that they hold that esteemed dream in the highest of importance. 

Sullivan County is lifted up by the hundreds of small businesses, and the intent behind their origins are all part of the area’s great story.