Bedford Village, founded in 1680, has in just a few years, made a stunning leap from quaint colonial-era town to a hotspot for the cool and cultured.

With the July 2024 opening of oHHo—an industrial-chic wellness café serving lavender lattes, Taschen coffee-table books, bespoke pizza, and luxury totes—followed by the November debut of Mast, an organic market and café, and the December unveiling of Bedford Books, the three-block Village, framed by late 18^th and early 19^th century landmarks, has never been buzzier or busier.

Young families, stylish couples, empty nesters, and trend-savvy friend groups now flock to Bedford to eat, sip, and shop.

Some are already residents, while others are scoping out weekend retreats for themselves or their multi-generational families. There’s no shortage of options, from 18^th and 19^th century Colonials to 1920s Georgians, Midcentury Moderns, and sleek Contemporaries.

Bedford’s revitalization has been unfolding over the past few years, starting with the launch of Duchess, a boutique owned by a celebrity makeup artist specializing in responsibly sourced beauty products, Rivay, a high-end menswear shop, and New York Stoneware, a hand-thrown pottery studio founded by a Manhattan fashion designer.

The transition has been remarkably seamless, thanks in part to the “old guard” of Bedford—personified by Liz Hallock, the recently appointed director of the Bedford Historical Society—who embraces the town’s evolution. Hallock actively helps newcomers acclimatize to Bedford and their well-preserved antique buildings. One standout example is La Maison Fete event planners opening an ultra-chic design shop in the historic 1857 Jackson House.

Beyond architecture, the Bedford Historical Society safeguards 165 acres through four historic conservation easements, ensuring Bedford’s natural beauty—its sprawling land preserves, ancient trees, and rolling landscape—remains its greatest asset.

Perhaps most impressively, Bedford’s old and new communities wholeheartedly support each other’s events.

From weekly movies, lectures, and book talks at the Bedford Playhouse to the ever-popular Coffee & Cars gathering of spectacular vintage and modern rides, the camaraderie is undeniable. The town also honors its deep history with events like the reenactment of the Burning of Bedford by the British during the American Revolution and mock trials at the Bedford Courthouse, where Aaron Burr once argued cases.

The best part? This dynamic old-new alliance continues to attract vibrant new families of all ages, ensuring Bedford’s future is as rich as its past.

About Angela Kessel, the #1 Selling Agent in Northern Westchester