Below you will find a collection of press releases and event updates about the Chatham Area Business and Arts. Check back frequently for the latest news about upcoming events.
July 7, 2025 | Chronogram.com
In the annual rite of small-town revelry known as Summerfest, Chatham once again shuts down Main Street and turns it over to the people—specifically, to pie-eaters, amateur bakers, wandering magicians, balloon-animal conjurers, and other assorted humans in search of communal delight. On Saturday, July 12, from 10am to 4pm, CABA’s Summerfest returns with its signature blend of family fun, local flavor, and just enough mischief to keep things interesting.
April 7, 2025 | esd.ny.gov
New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) and Empire State Development (ESD) today announced the groundbreaking for the nearly $26 million renovation and expansion of Shaker Museum in Chatham, Columbia County. The 30,000 square foot project will create a year-round destination for visitors and a space that reflects the Shaker values of purposeful design and communal living with a 7,500 square foot space for permanent and rotating exhibitions. The project is supported by a combined $5 million investment from the New York State Council on the Arts and Empire State Development.
Start your weekend with early evening shopping on Main Street. Stores will be open until 7:00pm on Friday nights in December.
October 4, 2023 | News10.com
The 23rd annual FilmColumbia is set to return to the Crandall Theatre in Chatham from October 20 to October 29. FilmColumbia features film screenings, local talent, and live events.
Rensselaer County eatery Illusive, located in Rensselaer at 3 Ferry Street, and Columbia County’s Chatham Brewery, found in Chatham at 59 Main Street, are among 29 restaurants that were nominated for this year’s Best New York Burger Competition.
Voting for the 7th annual contest, which is put on by the New York Beef Council, is underway until Wednesday, April 19.
September 14, 2021 | WAMC
Sharon Wienberg and Amy Zimmerman from Chatham Bookstore in Chatham, New York join us with this week’s Book Picks.
Congratulations to Tessa Fisher and Morgan Simmons. CABA awarded two scholarships to Chatham High School students.
The Chatham Area Business and Arts Community Service Award, which recognizes a student who has shown a strong sense of community service, was awarded to Morgan Simmons.
The Chatham Area Business and Arts Personal Achievement Award, recognizing a student whose personal achievement has been exemplary, was awarded to Tessa Fisher.
We wish them both the best!
The board of CABA (Chatham Area Business and Arts) has accepted the resignations of both the group’s president, Debbye Byrum, and longtime Secretary Steve Campbell. A release from the board expressed regret at their departure.
Former board Vice President Tom Crowell, co-owner of Chatham Brewing, has stepped up to the position of president. Melony Spock has taken on the role of vice president and Cathi Bruneau, who recently became a CABA Board member, will take over as secretary.
Ms. Byrum cited a family health situation as her reason for leaving the board; Mr. Campbell noted both business and personal responsibilities.
Ms. Byrum, who joined CABA in 2016 under the name of her Main Street store, Willow & Oak, became President the following fall. In her resignation letter she noted that she had initiated the monthly CABA breakfasts, as well as serving as liaison to the Village of Chatham Board of Trustees.
“As we slowly emerge from the pandemic crisis, CABA will be needed more than ever to rally our community together. I am sad that I will not be able to be a part of that effort, but I am confident that the current board will provide the leadership needed to help shape the future of our community,” she wrote, adding, “I am proud that we were able to provide opportunities for us all to celebrate our community and support each other.”
Mr. Campbell, owner of Video Visions on Hudson Avenue, said he cannot remember how long he served as secretary to both the original Chatham Business Alliance (CBA) and its later renaming as CABA. “Everyone on this board is putting in an enormous amount of time to improve the organization and the community,” he said. “The board is a group of doers and should be proud of what they are accomplishing.”
There are now two vacancies on the CABA Board. Interested applicants can download the application form. The Board meets monthly at the Community Bank. For more information on CABA and CABA membership, visit the About CABA page.
Berkshire Eagle, October 11, 2019
FilmColumbia is a festival for early adopters. While Sundance and Cannes are destinations for top-notch movie premieres, FilmColumbia has often been one of the next landing spots for those films.
“We are basically, in some ways — and I love this — a very modest, regional, local festival bringing to our neck of the woods films that might not otherwise play, and it doesn’t matter to us if they’ve been shown at many other film festivals,” said Laurence Kardish, co-artistic director of the Chatham, N.Y., festival. “In fact, that’s where we make our discoveries.”
The Chatham Area Business and Arts’ holiday gathering will be held Wednesday, December 13 from 5:30-7:00pm. Join us at The People’s Pub, 36 Main Street, for cocktails, nibbles and holiday cheer.
Please RSVP if you plan to attend by emailing CABA President Debbye Byrum or calling (518) 392-4545.
This event is generously sponsored by The People’s Pub and Willow and Oak.