Newburgh art store facing tax foreclosure gets lifeline from customers

Michael Gabor, owner of Newburgh Art Supply, has been trying to cope with the recent loss of his business and life partner Gerardo Castro to cancer, while also trying to save the business which they started together in 2008.

Ben Nandy

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Aug 29, 2024, 9:40 PM

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Updated 76 days ago

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A Newburgh art store is receiving help from its customers to pay a tax bill of about $84,000 and potentially save the Grand Street business.

Michael Gabor, owner of Newburgh Art Supply, has been trying to cope with the recent loss of his business and life partner Gerardo Castro to cancer, while also trying to save the business which they started together in 2008.

"I actually haven't had a lot of time to grieve," Gabor said during an interview at the store Thursday, "because I've been trying to catch up with a lot of things."

They immediately drew in-store customers from around the northeastern United States and began shipping certain supplies to customers nationwide.

"We worked so well together," Gabor said of Castro. "Everything we touched became successful."

Gabor and Castro agreed to a payment plan with the city in November 2021 for the tax debt.

Gabor started missing payments though because of the penalties and rising tax rate on the Grand Street building.

"The value of Newburgh properties has skyrocketed," he said. "My assessment has gone up. At the same time, I'm behind on my taxes. It kind of really added up."

The city started tax foreclosure proceedings earlier this month, which led the local artist community to mobilize to raise funds.

They secured hundreds of small donations through an online fundraiser and then a private citizen came forward to offer Gabor a loan.

All funding sources combined, Gabor sent a check earlier this week to city hall for the entire amount of back taxes owed.

Artist Sara Gurevich, who visited the store Thursday to pick up art supplies for her son, said she could not imagine the Liberty Street neighborhood without the store.

Newburgh Art Supply first moved to the area in 2008 long before almost all other area businesses arrived.

"This place has been such a community hub," Gurevich said, "and it would be a disaster and a shame for this city if this place closed."

The city can still reject the sudden, lumpsum payment, though Gabor is confident.

When asked whether he thinks Castro would be proud that he is fighting to keep the business alive, Gabor smiled and teared up.

"I think he'd be happy that I'm continuing," Gabor said, "and not just giving up."

The city council will vote on whether to accept the latest payment and stop tax foreclosure proceedings at its next meeting on Sept. 9.

Newburgh administrators have not yet responded to News 12's request for comment.

Assuming the city will accept the payment, Gabor is already planning his annual citywide open-studio event for the last weekend in September.

Work from more than 100 artists will be showcased.

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