Hastings on Hudson, Hipster paradise

Hastings on Hudson, New York, has been called by most a paradise for hipsters. The issue with this new age trend is that while the arts have been emphasized, most other areas, such as athletics, the sciences, etc. have been neglected. In a New York Times article by Alex Williams opens his article by saying, “A yoga studio opened on Main Street that offers lunch-hour vinyasa classes. Nearby is a bicycle store that sells Dutch-style bikes, and a farm-to-table restaurant that sources its edible nasturtiums from its backyard garden.” Now while this artsy, European, hipster, free thinking, style of living works for some. But for others it does not. This hipster movement has changed Hastings, and in my opinion, it has changed it for the worst.

            Hastings on Hudson was originally a blue color factory worker town. During World War 1 the town manufactured mustard gas, and the majority of the town worked there. Even before that Hastings was always a factory town, producing buttons, cables, and other goods. But ever since the “Hippy days” the town has taken on a whole new look. It is hard for you to walk down the street and not see a pair of skinny jeans, or hear some strange underground band being blasted out of a vintage Volkswagen. Even the school has taken up this artsy life style. The art department in the High School is one of the best in the county and offers more class options than any other subject. This has permeated the being of everyone in the town and affects the decisions that have been taken.

            Back in Hastings’ early days we used to have factories down by the river that produced various goods, but some of the more volatile ones include mustard gas, and other forms of wartime goods. This has created serious pollution and the site is condemned. For years there have been attempts to destroy and safely remove the contaminated land and the building. This past year there was a bill that was finally passed. But sadly a group of these so-called “Hipsters” applied for the land a building to be protected as a historical landmark. The building is decaying and has graffiti and broken glass all around it, it is an eye sore and for someone to call it a historical landmark is both blind and dumb. This is one of many issues that have arrived with the creation of a Hipsturbia.

            Another of these issues that have been created by the new outlook of the town is an issue very close to me. That being the football field, to some this is just a field and nothing else, but to me it is my home. The field itself was last renovated in the early 80’s with a new, non-regulation track being put in place in the early 2000’s. The field itself is poorly maintained, and the grass is always dying, so by mid season it is a giant dust bowl. The facilities too are very poor at the field. This past year a bill was put through to put in new bleachers, and a brand new turf field. Well the first issue that the hipsters had was that it was not eco friendly, so the school found an alternative, which used coconut husks instead of pulverized tires. Since that issue was solved a new one came out up, a movement was started that contained the slogan, “Keep Hastings really green, save Reynolds field.” The bill came to a screeching halt and when voting occurred it was defeated by a rather large margin. So now Hastings is stuck with a dirt bowl, and the town folk save $2.50 on their yearly taxes, $2.50 was the increase of taxes, had they passed the bill.

            The change in the town was swift and apparently it seems that the town is never going to go back to its roots of a blue collar, workers town. The yoga studio, the French pastry shop, the bicycle store, and all the non chain stores all play into the whole Hipsturbia that has been created appears to be ever lasting.  For those who’s lifestyle is similar to the lifestyle created in Hastings, the town is a dram come true. But for those who do not wear skinny jeans, sip soy chai latte’s, or listen to the next band that you have never heard of, it is hippy hell.