At one time, Hudson River Trading Co. was just a dream for entrepreneur Laurie Prescott Arnheiter. For years she coordinated marketing, advertising and public relations for clients throughout the Adirondacks. In the early 1990s, Laurie looked around her hometown of North Creek and saw a need. The historic ski town's Main Street was almost 70% derelict. The majority of buildings were either up for demolition, sale or standing vacant. That was before Elliot Monter arrived with his AAA Four Diamond Award Winning Copperfield Inn, filled with guests looking for a unique Adirondack shopping experience. The old Sullivan Store, as it was known locally (originally built as Frank Kelley's Livery) had sat vacant for 12 years and Laurie saw a good use for it.

Laurie proudly traces her retail roots back to Prescott's of Boston. Her great-grandfather Albert discovered the charm of North Creek while traveling from one logging camp to another repairing watches, fitting glasses and pulling a few teeth. He left the pulling of teeth to someone else, opened a store on Main Street and became well know as a jewelry and watch repair specialist. Albert was followed by his son Arthur, then Arthur's daughter Anne, then Laurie and finally her children. Growing up in a jewelry and gift store under the tutelage of Grandmother Mildred had a long and lasting influence on this little girl.

After nine and a half years of operation, Hudson River Trading Co. is coming into its own. "When we first opended people just happened to discover us when they came to the area to ski, raft or hike. Now we're actually attracting people to the community with our advertising, marketing and a significant returning customer base. We are becoming a destination! Our goal is to continuously promote spending the day in North Creek and the surrounding area. We want to get the word out that people can ride a scenic rail line, raft the Hudson River from spring through fall, pick garnets right out of the pits at a famous garnet mine, and mountain bike the ski trails at Garnet Hill. With all the great restaurants, bakeries, cafes and taverns available in town, you can plan an entire day just entertaining yourself on Main Street, North Creek," states Laurie.

Today the Hudson River Trading Co. offers visitors an ecelctic collection of unique merchandise. The store's primary theme of Lodge & Camp is delightfully mixed with an asortment of antiques presented by dealers who call HRTCo. home. Be sure to check out the Grain Room filled with technical clothing for the active Adirondack Woman. You'll also find a good selection of Dansko footwear priced at below suggested retail. And visitors can spend hours in the Stable area browsing Woolrich, Pendleton & Denali pillows and blankets, antler chandeliers, rustic oak and hickory furniture and accessories that will complete their Adirondack living space comfortably. A visit to Hudson River Trading Co. is well worth your time.