In just a few years, Victoria Messner became one of the most notable among the new people in the village of Ellenville. She co-founded COFFE. Then she and her wife opened a photographic art studio, launched Morning Sunshine, and won a seat on the Village Board after serving on the County Planning Board.

How did you come to live in Ellenville?

“I was a hiker/camper in my 20s and fell in love with the New Paltz area. I moved to Napanoch originally where I could afford a house. It was near nature and was within two hours of the city. I moved into the village proper after my wife and I opened up a photo studio, Ellenville Reservoir Studio and then a café, Morning Sunshine. It was a way to be three minutes from work rather than thirty minutes. Plus, at that point I had already fallen in love with the village.

What do you like about Ellenville?

Ellenville’s proximity to nature, the community, and the fact that individuals can make a real lasting impact. There really is a lot of opportunity for our residents to shape our future.

What local business is a favorite of yours?

I love all of Ellenville’s small businesses! Major kudos to anyone willing to invest their time, energy, and money into the area. Running a business takes a tremendous amount of personal investment, especially in a small town, but these business owners continue to show up for one another and their community. I think the camaraderie and mutual respect that our businesses have for one another is something unique and special to our area.

What would you change about Ellenville?

Ellenville needs diversity of industry. We need well-paying jobs. We need essential services. There’s an opportunity for an increase in medical care (maybe OBGYN, pediatrician, dermatologist?), actual use of the Cresco site, and of course there is immediate need for lodging to support sustainable tourism.

It would also be nice to see more of our community’s energy directed toward constructive conversations and getting things done. Less toxicity on Facebook. It’s important to raise concerns, but I think healthy progress happens when you are willing to work together on solutions.