Lindsay Pietroluongo | Special to Poughkeepsie Journal

Patrick Oehler, Poughkeepsie Journal

Liberty Street in Newburgh, once a desert when it came to dining in general and nightlife specifically, is quickly changing its tune. New eateries and retail businesses have popped up, drawing crowds that usually frequent only the waterfront.

Part of this is thanks to the work the proprietors have put into the street itself. Even after the street’s lighting was upgraded, business owners added twinkle lights to their section of the street.

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

And when microburst tore through Liberty Street in May, damaging several buildings and cutting power to the neighborhood, several restaurant owners decided to do a street fair-style cookout for the residents, instead of letting the food they had go bad.

“I think Liberty Street has extra curb appeal at night,” said Jodi Cummings, owner of Caffe Macchiato.

Cummings said there’s a more palpable feeling of safety now, as well as a cohesiveness that showcases the area’s dedication to becoming a destination. The stretch of Liberty Street that houses its businesses and restaurants is short enough to walk, and some of the eateries, which have made their home in the first level of three- and four-story brick buildings, offer covered outdoor seating.

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

This is an area of Newburgh that’s been overlooked for the most part, since it’s not close to the water (or within a walkable distance) and also removed from the more traditional area of town with big name stores and shopping centers. Now, though, Newburgh and Hudson Valley locals aren’t the only ones swarming to the area. Cummings, a lifetime resident of Newburgh, has noticed an increase in the number of people who are relocating to Newburgh from New York City.

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“Since purchasing the cafe in September 2015, every weekend I've met people visiting the cafe to see what the city was about or many more who were moving up here," she said. "So many of my regular customers are new to the area and have either moved their businesses up here with them or started their business in the city.”

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Paying homage to the other businesses nearby, Cummings said, “I think one aspect that makes Newburgh unique is that we have all taken a gamble and are ‘extra entrepreneurs’ in our courage to open shop here.”

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Ms. Fairfax and Palate Wines and Spirits owner Phillipe Pierre agreed there is renewed interest in Liberty Street these days.

“There’s definitely momentum in Newburgh and especially Liberty Street," he said. "It’s great to be a part of it. There’s definitely a team player atmosphere that we are all in it together and in it to win it. There is a camaraderie and competition; it’s important to keep everyone’s interest high — people have written off Newburgh for one reason or another, but now there are more things to do."

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Going on three years this month as owner of Ms. Fairfax, Pierre said when he first opened his establishment, he knew all the customers, "But now when I walk in the restaurant it is full of new faces."

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Here's a look at some of the places where you can eat, drink and shop on Liberty Street:

Caffé Macchiato

Opened in 2003, Caffe Macchiato was the first eatery on the block.

Alex H. Wagner/Poughkeepsie Journal

Back then, the original owners, Barbara and Edwin Seymour (who came from Brooklyn), were warned by their landlord that they’d never last. Still standing 15 years later and with its original name, the café serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, and will begin serving dinner this month.

Alex H. Wagner/Poughkeepsie Journal

Chef/owner Jodi Cummings, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of American, offers menu items that change frequently even beyond seasonal changes, and are made from scratch daily, with produce delivered from local farms. Order The King’s Oatmeal with vanilla, warm spices, peanut butter, caramelized bananas and bacon, or the Hoisin Udon Noodle Vegetable Bowl with chicken, shrimp or salmon.

Go: 99 Liberty St., Newburgh; 845-565-4616; 99libertystreet.com

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Liberty Street Bistro

Liberty Street Bistro owner Michael Kelly, a graduate of The Culinary Institute of America, has created a menu featuring New American cuisine prepared using French-influenced cooking techniques.

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Wine pairing dinners aren’t reserved only for special events — they’re also a regular choice on the menu, ranging from two to four courses. The bistro is open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, and $1 oysters are offered during designated times. Order the Muhammara Ravioli with pickled green strawberry, toasted sunflower seeds and maitake mushrooms, or the Duck Breast Roulade.

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The Kelly and his wife, Alexandra, recently entered into a new venture with Flour Shop. The café/bakery, situated a half block north of his restaurant at 109 Liberty St. — within the new bicycle museum,The Velocipede Museum — focuses on coffee and baked goods.

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Go: 97 Liberty St., Newburgh; 845-562-3900; libertystreetbistro.com; the bistro will reopen from summer break Sept. 11.

Ms. Fairfax

Serving lunch, dinner and weekend brunch, the simple menu at Ms. Fairfax is prepared with locally sourced ingredients and a heavy focus on cured meats and fine cheeses.

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

What’s most notable about owner Philippe Pierre’s modern eatery is how youthful is it —the menu is written the way people order, or they way we think when we order. For example, their drink menu includes Beer and Shot, and their Big Bowl of Pasta is described as "Unpredictable ­— Ask or Be Surprised."

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Order small plates such as toasted almonds with marinated olives or avocado toast with two eggs; the Moroccan chicken sandwich; or sweet or savory crepes with ingredients such as fig jam or chorizo, goat cheese and tomato.

Go: 105 Liberty St., Newburgh; 845-565-0169; msfairfax.com

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Palate Wines and Spirits

More than a shop with only traditional wines and spirits, Palate ­— which is also owned by Philippe Pierre — has rare finds and hidden treasures if you’re ready to drink outside the box.

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

For example, this past Valentine’s Day, Perspires de Juvenal 2015 was featured, a four-star 100 percent grenache from the Cote du Rhone with fewer than 300 cases bottled, making it difficult to get your hands on. Pierre said they strive to educate their customers through weekly tastings and random workshops with wines and spirits experts and ambassadors.

Go: 115 Liberty St., Newburgh; 845-419-8466; palatewines.com

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

The Wherehouse

As the late-night veteran on Liberty Street, you could argue that Dan Brown, owner of The Wherehouse, paved the way for the newcomers.

With its 10th anniversary right around the corner, The Wherehouse was one of the first bars and restaurants to stay open past 6 p.m. Outfitted with ’60s posters, records and relics, there are 24 rotating draft lines and more than 50 burgers on the menu, including The Philly, topped with cream cheese, sautéed onions and bacon, and the Lucha Libre, topped with spicy chorizo and melted jalapeno Jack cheese.

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal

Specialty nights throughout the week include Taco Tuesday, Wing Wednesday and Mac and Cheese Thursday, each with a selection of specialty dishes. Grittier than the other spots on the block in the best way possible (it’s a burger-and-beer joint set next to chic, sleek bistros), The Wherehouse is devoted to great music, enhancing basic bar food and some of the friendliest service around.

Go: 119 Liberty St., Newburgh; 845-561-7240; wherehouseny.com

Contact freelancer writer Lindsay Pietroluongo at lindsaypietro@gmail.com

Patrick Oehler/Poughkeepsie Journal