"LUCKY DUCKIES" LANDS IN SUFFERN

Lucky Duckies sells top quality children's clothing along with accessories, toys and gift items. The merchandise is nearly new, gently used, name-brand items that cost a fraction of what it would cost if it were purchased at the retail price. Lucky Duckies also carried a select inventory of new childrens specialty items.

SUFFERN FOOTBALL'S PERFECT SEASON REMEMBERED

The Suffern High Football team went undefeated in 1979, dominating defensively as it rolled to a perfect season. The '79 squad will be honored this year when it is inducted into the Suffern High School Hall of Fame.

Crapella Is Suffern's Resident Hair-Styling Artist

Vince Crapella has been a friend, confidante, hairdresser, sounding board and so much more the the residents of Suffern for more than two decades.

NEW TUNNEL COULD IMPACT SUFFERN IN MANY WAYS

The new commuter tunnel in North Bergen, New Jersey, on which construction began in June, is expected to have a big impact on residents of The Village of Suffern long before it is completed in 2017.

SUFFERN FARMER'S MARKET HAS MUCH TO OFFER

The Suffern Farmer's Market has become an integral part of Saturday-morning life in the Village. Purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, however, is only part of what makes the SFM so special. There's so much more to see and enjoy.

LICATA A MAN IN MOTION

Aury Licata would like to be playing a little more golf or watching his son, Jonathan, play hockey. But his work ethic, his devotion to his clients and his feelings about making the Village of Suffern a better place to live or work won't allow him to slow down just yet. There is still plenty of business to be conducted in his Lafayette Avenue office and if you doubt that, just stop by and say hello at the Lafayette Avenue offices of Licata Management Corp.

LICATA STRIVES TO MAKE SUFFERN A BETTER PLACE TO WORK AND LIVE

Aury Licata has owned and operated Licata Management Corp. for nearly a quarter of a century. He has a clear vision for Suffern. His desire to make the Village businesses profitable while continuing to help the town grow into a hub for arts, entertainment and commerce is evident not only in his words but in his actions. Licata, 57, has spent his first few weeks as president ironing out plans to enhance the Village, making it a destination not only for residents but for those who live and work in the surrounding communities.

Suffern Parking Authority makes parking easier, affordable in the Village

The Suffern Parking Authority is well aware of how the economic crisis has impacted the way Village residents live, shop and work. While the SPA can't put money in your pockets it can help you save money and time, two commodities that have more value now than ever before.

TEACHING IS A LIFETIME ENDEAVOR FOR MALANDRA

Mike Malandra has been running his martial arts academy in the Village for more than two deacdes. He's spent the better part of the last decade in his Lafayette Avenue studio, instructing children as young as four as well as senior citizens. He and his dedicated staff work tirelessly to help their students achieve balance both physically and mentally through the use of martial arts.

LEAPIN' LIZARDS, ANIMALS RULE THE DAY AT PET GUY CENTRAL

Phill London will be celebrating his second anniversary as the owner of Pet Guy Central in March. Owning the store is all he's ever wanted to do with his life and the love he has for his animals and his business is clearly evident. London, 27, has been working at pet stores since he was 13, first in Nanuet and then New City. Before opening Pet Guy Central he even operated a pet store out of his house.

HEALING IS WERFEL'S BUSINESS

Howard Werfel has proven to be a healer and more. He's a confidante, a friend and a caring voice where his patients are concerned. He's been filling that role for the better part of the last 15 years, 14 of which have been spent at his Village practice.

CARPETING THE VILLAGE FOR MORE THAN THREE DECADES

Artistic Floors has been in the Village for more than three decades, having survived that long largely because of the quality of its work and products. Owner Charlie Capalbo, 72, is slowly working his way into retirement as he hands over full control of the business to his son, Joseph Capalbo. Whether you're dealing with the father or the son, though, walking into their Lafayette Avenue showroom provides an experience that won't be found at one of the big chain stores on Routes 59 or 17. It's the personalized touch from the owners that has kept Artistic Floors in business and sets them apart.

FINDERS KEEPERS EMBODIES WHAT THE VILLAGE IS ABOUT

Cynthia Panosian owns and operates Finders Keepers, the tasteful little shop at the intersection of Lafayette Avenue and Chestnut. If there's any establishment that embodies the soul and spirit of the Village, it is hers. Panosian sells all sorts of goodies, from jewelry and china to trinkets and furniture. It's what she's not selling, however, that makes a visit to Finders Keepers special. Panosian is warm and wonderful, treating her customers more like family or honored guests. Like that elegant lamp in her window, it's easy to see she has character and style that is only complimented by her tasteful eye and caring heart.

A LITTLE PLACE WITH A GREAT DEAL OF TASTE

While Mexican restaurants abound in Suffern none brings with it the flare and ambiance that can be found Tequila Sal Y Limon. It's tucked away and not often noticed but it should be because what owners Victor Jimenez and Rene Terron have been able to accomplish since coming to the Village has been special.

SUFFERN'S FIRST FAMILY OF PIZZA

George Beninati and his sons Anthony and Tom will celebrate their seventh anniversary as owners of Il Villaggio in June. The Beninati's have become Suffern's first family of pizza during that time, serving the Village and neighboring communities while making their eatery on Lafayette Avenue a wonderful, homey place to be.

SUFFERN'S HIDDEN GEM

Yet, what Martin Romero has been able to make Dona Maria a friendly, family place where the food is good and the service is even better. It's been a bit of a hidden treasure in the Village for the last few years but now its about time that Romero's restaurant joins its rightful place alongside the other eateries for which Suffern has become famous.

Y'S BEGINNINGS IS A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO START

The Y's Beginnings program, which is located in the United Methodist Church on Parkside Drive, has been a part of the Village for more than 40 years. Janey McCarthy has been with the program since 1986, serving as its director since 1995. She oversees a staff of nearly two dozen teachers, aides and special assistants in running a variety of classes that range from adult-tot to the Town of Ramapo's Universal Pre-K program.

ELECTROLOCK FINDS KEY TO SUCCESS

The big sign over the doorway 87 Lafayette Avenue screams LOCKSMITH. There's no getting around that.

But the idea that Randy Ortiz or Paul Costakis, the owners of Electrolock Inc., fit the image of traditional locksmiths is about as truthful as saying the folks at Il Villaggio only make pizza. The days of the old man with the monstrous-sized key ring looking to help someone whose been locked out of their house or car are fading fast.

OLE, OLE IS MEXICAN FOOD AND A WHOLE LOT MORE

Though it specializes in authentic Spanish, Mexican and Latin cuisine - Ole, Ole has long been popular because of its menu and its margaritas - the fare is only part of why Eric Canto's eatery has become so successful. Since opening in the Village some nine years ago, the restaurant has become a meeting place, a social hotspot among the locals who make their way to the end of Lafayette Avenue for the food but stay for the atmosphere and attention they get while being served.

SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW ...

Customers in Mary Barrow's establishment will find themselves married to the bargains and treasures they will find amongst her pieces, some of which are new, some of which are previously owned. Barrow, who began the business more than five years ago, sells a great deal of the furniture in her store on consignment. While you may not want your old furniture, knickknacks, chandeliers or paintings, someone does and Barrow is the right person to find a prospective customer.

TAKING TANNING TO THE NEXT LEVEL

The mood changes once you step through the door at Total Eclipse Tanning.

Maybe it's the fact of knowing you'll be able to soak up some rays and walk away with a nice tan. Maybe it's the relaxed, almost beach-like atmosphere in the Lafayette Avenue shop. Maybe it's simply the warm smile on the face of owner Hayley Vazquez, who has a way of making everyone that comes through the door feel comfortable.

ROCCO'S SHOE REPAIR JUST KEEPS COBBLING ALONG

Rocco's Shoe Repair is one of the most recognizable businesses in the Village of Suffern yet few people know that the company's roots are actually in Italy.

Rocco Ferrara began his career as a cobbler's apprentice in Italy in 1909. He was an accomplished cobbler by the time he moved to the United States almost a decade later. Ferrara opened a shoe repair shop in Greenwich Village upon his arrival in America before ultimately moving to Suffern in 1952, when he formed the business that remains a mainstay on Lafayette Avenue.

CAMPBELL FIRE PROTECTION KEEPS THE VILLAGE SAFE AND SOUND

Joe Duffy is the owner of Campbell Fire Protection, which is located across the street from the train station and on the hill above the little league fields on the Village's western end. He's a little bit out of the way, which may contribute some to his anonymity. But when it comes to keeping the Village safe, there are few more valuable than Duffy.

MYSTIC IMAGES IS MORE THAN JUST A HAIR RAISING EXPERIENCE

That Gina Bertolino chose to name her business Mystic Images seems only fitting. One synonym for mystic is visionary and it's clear that Bertolino's plan for the long-time salon nestled in the heart of Suffern has been nothing but visionary.

Bertolino's idea of what her business can be has been a driving force as she continues to make her salon on Lafayette Avenue a unique, affordable, customer friendly experience. It's the primary reason why Mystic Images has been a staple in the Village for nearly two decades.

NV NEW YORK OFFERS MANHATTAN STYLE IN ROCKLAND

If a refined, elegant dining and dancing experience is just something you can't get enough of then there's every reason to visit NV New York Restaurant and Lounge.

NV New York, the latest restaurant to join the bustling downtown area of Suffern, is a classy, worthwhile experience for patrons of all ages. While everyone is welcome, NV New York caters to an older, more refined crowd, one that is looking to enjoy a night out in New York City without having to shell out Big Apple bucks.

LOCAL LAWYER CALLS SUFFERN HOME

An old Victorian house on the corner of a busy intersection, the big sign proclaiming that the building houses Scott Albrecht's law office doesn't give a true indication of what lies inside. Sure, there's Albrecht's successful law practice, one of the many upscale professional businesses that call the Village of Suffern home.

COLONIAL FLORIST IS WITH YOU FROM BUD TO BLOOM

The casual observer may look at Alyssa Venturini and Fran McInerney and say they create floral arrangements. The casual observer would be wrong.

Venturini and McInerney, the co-owners of the Colonial Florist on Lafayette Avenue, do so much more than simply stuff flowers in a vase and then put a pretty bow on it. They create lifelong relationships, getting involved with families from the time they celebrate the birth of a loved one until the time they say good-bye. In between, they share in memories and special times, making them a very important cog in the Village's social dynamic.

MORE THAN COFFEE MORE THAN SWEETS, CAFFE DOLCE HAS FINE EATS

The food, the drinks and the atmosphere at Caffe Dolce make it a must see if you want to experience Suffern at its best.

But take some time to talk with owner/bartender/philosopher Mark McGuy while you're there because the Caffe Dolce experience wouldn't be complete without such a conversation. He's been running the not-so-little bistro on Lafayette Avenue for 13 years and he's as big a reason as any why Caffe Dolce remains a destination for those looking to be hip and trendy.

LISA'S SALON ATELIER, CUTTING HAIR WITH FLAIR

The warmth of Lisa's Salon Atelier is obvious from the moment you walk through the door. It's not the temperature we're talking about but a feeling that emanates from the small shop on Lafayette Avenue nestled in the shadow of the historic theater bearing the thoroughfare's name.

HELPFUL AND HISTORICAL, THE HANDY STORE HAS IT ALL

The Handy Hardware Store has been a fixture in downtown Suffern for nearly 90 years, offering a folksy, hands-on approach to helping out area residents, providing the personal touch that can't be found at the big chain hardware stores lining Routes 59 and 17.

RAVING ABOUT RAVI CONTINENTAL CUISINE

One of the Village's latest additions, Ravi Continental Cuisine offers a simple yet classy experience, providing area residents with an opportunity to step outside what has become an all-too-familiar box when it comes to eating out in this part of Rockland County. You'll find a warm, friendly atmosphere in the Lafayette Avenue eatery with an all-encompassing menu that is certain to please just about everyone.

MARCELLO'S RISTORANTE: A TASTE OF TUSCANY

Pointing to a single reason why Marcello's Ristorante has remained a Hudson Valley hotspot over the last two decades would be difficult. There's so much involved with why one of the tri-state area's finest restaurants has become such a success that the best way to explain it is to simply say - go eat there.

Welcome to the Suffern Downtown Website!

Welcome to Sufferndowntown.com, the official website of the Suffern Parking Authority. The Village of Suffern is a major transportation hub, serving Rockland County, Orange County and Bergen County.

The Suffern Parking Authority is responsible for assisting commuters and shoppers by providing as many parking options as possible. There are several commuter lots available to the public, including the Suffern train station R Lot and the E Lot at Cuccolo Ball Field. Permits for the train station lot are sold at a monthly rate though there is currently a waiting list. There are also 28 daily spaces available plus a pair of handicapped spots. No permit is required when parking after 10:30 a.m.