386-388 Main St. — Main Street Scene
Google Street View
Catskill Collectibles reopens Saturday in an expanded space as Catskill’s Main Street returns to pedestrian access after infrastructure work. Owner Tom Illari spent the past two weeks moving into the storefront next door at 388 Main Street, more than doubling the shop’s former floor space. The shop had been closed during the move, and Illari is planning a hard-launch gala for December 4 with food, art and live local music.
Illari opened the shop at 386 Main Street in 2022. He told The Daily Gazette that limited display space had become a problem. The adjacent storefront, formerly occupied by Loose Parts, gave him room to grow; Illari and friends spent two weeks rearranging merchandise and repainting before the reopening. The shop’s location at 386-388 Main Street and the expansion’s aim of making room for more of its collection and local artists were also described by hvmag.com.
The adjoining space will also hold a rotating gallery, with local artists changing every three months. Illari said he wants to keep the most expensive works at $5,000 rather than carrying pieces priced at $20,000, and plans to offer prints of most artwork. He said the goal is to make the shop welcoming to customers.
From Farmers Market Tent to Main Street Storefront
The business began in 2005 as a tent at the Catskill Farmers Market at Catskill Point, then moved to online sales through eBay and Etsy before Illari opened a village storefront. It continues to sell at pop-up events, on Etsy and in the shop, according to the Connected Commerce Council, which lists the business as founded by Illari in 2016. The Daily Gazette, meanwhile, reported that Illari, 65, has operated Catskill Collectibles for 20 years. The accounts differ on the business’s founding timeline.
The shop’s merchandise mix has shifted over the years too. Illari said it initially carried about 90% vintage merchandise, but he has since adapted to a changing clientele with increased demand for tourist-oriented items like shirts and mugs. Magnets are the bestseller this year, with roughly 700 sold so far, while memorabilia from Catskill Game Farm and from Carson City & Indian Village amusement park remain among the shop’s biggest sellers. Illari still prioritizes art and vintage goods, including trinkets, postcards and other collectibles, and the shop’s offerings include a wide range of tourist-oriented items from regional vendors such as children’s books, clothing, custom artwork and homemade honey and syrup, according to The Daily Gazette’s earlier profile of Illari. The shop has won Best Antique Shop in Greene County in 2021, 2024 and 2025, per that same report.
Main Street Construction Wraps Up Downtown
Main Street pedestrian access had reopened by November 5, 2026, and the official reopening celebration took place November 6, 2026, after work that upgraded water and sewage infrastructure and added new sidewalks. Village board president Natasha Law said a local business expanding demonstrates confidence in downtown, and that the timing coincides with construction wrapping up. The $7 million project replaced aging water and sewer lines, installed a sidewalk and repaved the road; Law told News10 it was paid for through grants. Illari said increased investment in downtown helped give him confidence to expand, and described the Main Street infrastructure work as significant for area businesses.
Other Downtown Investment
The Main Street water-and-sewer work is distinct from other downtown projects. The Daily Gazette reported that two state-selected projects are a $2.3 million streetscape project, including sidewalks, crosswalks, trees and public amenities, and a $432,000 street-signage project intended to direct people to village destinations and businesses. The Village of Catskill’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative application states that more than $90 million had been invested in the district over the preceding decade, with nearly $68 million in projects directly adjacent to it. Earlier downtown efforts are separate from Illari’s expansion. Sources: The Daily Gazette and the Village of Catskill’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative application.
Soft Opening Saturday, Gala Next Month
Capital Region-Retail & Industry
