Business notebook

WARWICK-most every shop in Sugar Loaf is unique and interesting and The New York Chocolate Gallery is no exception. You might question the meaning of the name. Is it a gallery? Is it about chocolates? As the name implies, the answer is, "Yes," to both questions. "My brother Ed is a professional photographer," said Paul Marciante. "So, when we opened our retail candy store and gift shop last May, we decided to set aside a portion of the store as a gallery for his photographs." Paul and Ed Marciante and another partner, Ed Maceyko, are the owners of The New York Chocolate Gallery. The shop is located at 1362 Kings Highway but if you're coming from Warwick, the easiest way to find it is to start looking to the right after you pass the Lycian Center. You will spot the sign as soon as you enter the business district. The Gallery specializes in quality Gertrude Hawk and Ashers candies as well as fudge and seasonal gift items. And, while you're browsing for gifts or candies, you can also enjoy the photography displays throughout the shop. Ed Marciante is a second-generation photographer whose highly acclaimed works continue to appear in numerous international magazines. His portraits of winning racehorses have appeared in The New York Thoroughbred Observer, Thoroughbred Times and Racing Northeast. Ed Marciante's experience in sport action shots, combined with his technical skill and artistic eye, also serve him well in producing superior fashion and beauty photos, both posed and candid. Recently, his work has been featured in In-Touch, US Weekly and the National Enquirer. The artist is especially comfortable with black and white photography, which he feels has a timeless appeal. The New York Chocolate Gallery is open Tuesday through Sunday from 12-5 p.m. Outdoor Life in the Village of Warwick You may have missed it last Thursday, June 9, but there was a free lunch open to the public outside the WVT Communications (formerly the Warwick Valley Telephone Co.) office building on Main Street. The Outdoor Channel (WVT channel 24) visited WVT Communications, one of its affiliates, with their popular tour van. From March through November, spokespersons for the outdoor sports channel take their brightly painted RV on a tour of the country, visiting affiliates twice each day during weekdays and fairs and festivals on weekends. Founded by outdoorsmen for outdoorsmen, The Outdoor Channel features programming designed to educate and entertain sportsmen of all skill levels. The channel promotes the traditional outdoor activities including fishing, hunting and shooting sports. According to the company's literature, the programs are designed to appeal to "traditional sportsmen" of all ages with a focus on activities that the entire family can enjoy in the great outdoors. In Warwick, the Outdoor Channel is currently only available through WVT Communications' integrated digital TV service. Graduation and teacher gifts Barbara Laurence, president of the Warwick Merchants' Guild, would like to remind everyone that gift certificates, redeemable at all participating shops, may solve of problem of trying to figure out what to give a teacher, a graduate or anyone else when you're not sure what they would like. They're available in $5 and $10 denominations. Sidewalk Sale Non-profit organizations are also invited to set up booths during this year's "Sidewalk Sale." Participating Warwick merchants have begun planning for the annual downtown business district event which is scheduled for July 9 - 10. More to follow. The Warwick IBA As we go to press on Thursday, June 16, an event, sponsored in part by Warwick Community 2000, is taking place in Warwick's Town Hall. Those who attend the presentation, including the press, are there to learn more about the Warwick Independent Business Alliance (IBA), an organization formed by a group of local business people to help preserve the vitality of the downtown business district. More on this next week.