With so many local businesses closing down on Route 9, it's refreshing to hear some good news for a change. And this news is twice as good.

Two new businesses will be opening up at an existing Route 9 plaza. Mix N Mac, a macaroni and cheese restaurant that has been getting rave reviews in Orange County will finally be coming to Dutchess. The original location opened on Route 211 in Middletown in 2011, serving up homemade macaroni and cheese. The restaurant goes through 250 pounds of cheese a week to create their classic mac and cheese and other varieties including hamburger, lobster, hot dogs, buffalo chicken and even a sloppy joe mac and cheese.

Mix N Mac in Middletown via Google Maps
Mix N Mac in Middletown via Google Maps
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The restaurant will move in next door to an all new Starbucks, not far from the coffee chain's old location in the Village of Wappingers. In 2008, Starbucks closed their Route 9 location in Wappingers when the company shut down 600 locations nationwide. The spot eventually became a Bad Ass Coffee, and is now currently serving as a Smoothie King.

Google Maps
Google Maps
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The new Starbucks will be in a somewhat smaller location just a few doors south of Smoothie King in the building that currently occupies Kodomo Asian Bistro. Formerly a Boston Market, the building already has a drive-in window in place. The Village Planning Board is considering a proposal to redirect the drive-through lane around the building. Other improvements Starbucks is seeking to make to the plaza include replacing the sidewalk areas, adding an outdoor back patio and installing new fabric awnings.

It's unclear when the work will be approved and construction will take place, but the two new businesses will be a welcome sight to Route 9 and the Village of Wappingers, which has seen an increase in new businesses opening over the last year including Cousins Ale WorksSweetbakes Cafe and The Vinyl Room.

More construction is taking place on West Main Street where a new gas station and convenience store is being erected near St. Mary's Church. Other proposals are also in front of the planning board, including a new four-story building next to the Ground Hog coffee shop with retail on the bottom floor and apartments above. Buildings on East Main Street that were damaged by fire in 2017 are also currently being renovated.

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