We Are Upstate NY With Samara Daly of Kingston Social

We are in Upstate New York with Samara Daly, the co-founder and mercantile director of Kingston Social, a vibrant community hub located in Uptown Kingston. Kingston Social was founded by three visionary women who believe in surrounding themselves with beautiful things–and exceptional coffee! This space is a celebration of those ideals. Upon entering Kingston Social, you will immediately feel at home in this bright and inviting space. Samara skillfully curates a stunning selection of products throughout the store, including elegant kitchenware, artisanal goods, inspiring cookbooks, charming children’s toys, stylish accessories, and home goods. This modern mercantile and gift shop is truly a treasure waiting to be discovered.

Make the journey to Kingston Social: savor an espresso and cornetti, explore the thoughtfully curated mercantile, and immerse yourself in the surrounding art. Read more about Samara’s partners in our exclusive interviews with Helena Palazzi, an artist who runs the Euro-style café, and artist Anne Sanger, founder of Pinkwater Gallery at Kingston Social.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the inspiring world of Samara Daly.

INSIDE+OUT: Where are you originally from, and how did you wind up in the Hudson Valley?

Samara Daly: I’ve always had deep roots in New York, starting with my childhood in Fresh Meadows, Queens. After college, I spent most of my adult life in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn, which had its own unique charm. But while growing up in Queens, summers were extra special. My family and I often spent them in Columbia County at an incredible campground called Fox Hill in Spencertown. It was during those summers that I first fell in love with the Hudson Valley—the wide-open spaces, learning to swim, and farm animals!

Fast forward a bit, and I fell in love and married my amazing British husband, Lewis. He grew up surrounded by horse farms and quaint little villages, so it’s no surprise that the Hudson Valley called to both of us.

Like many families, we initially bought a weekend home in Stone Ridge before the pandemic hit. It was our little escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. But as the pandemic unfolded, our geography shifted, and we made the decision to move here full-time with our teenager and dog. It’s been a journey, but now this is truly our home—and we absolutely love it!

Congratulations on your business, Kingston Social. It’s such a gorgeous building and space in Kingston. How do you feel since you opened your doors to the public?

Absolute joy! Fulfilling a longtime dream of opening a modern mercantile store is super exciting. And for it to happen in the heart of Uptown Kingston alongside two incredible friends, including our café and gallery, is the full package. It feels surreal to walk into our store each day, knowing that what we built together is now a cherished part of Uptown. The journey itself was inspiring. From late-night brainstorming sessions to figuring out every little detail, we poured so much of ourselves into this space. And now, to see our friends and neighbors regularly stop by brings so much happiness.

Tell us about your partners in Kingston Social.  How did you three come up with the concept?

My partners at the core of Kingston Social are treasured friends whom I adore through and through—Helena and Anne. Each of us brings a unique creative side and expertise to our collective vision, and together, we’ve created something truly special. It’s amazing how friendships–fueled by shared inspirations, interests, and complementary backgrounds–can evolve into something that fulfills us and enriches our community.

The concept of Kingston Social came to life organically. Together, the three of us realized that our combined passions—beautiful products, stunning art, and delicious things to eat and drink—could create a magical and welcoming space. Kingston Social also grew from our deep connection to this town. We were drawn to Kingston for its charm, history and vibrant community. Our shared aspiration to plant roots here and create something meaningful led to the idea of a shop. As we look ahead, I’m so excited about what the future holds for us and our little shop.

You currently run the Mercantile side of Kingston Social. Tell us about your role and the business. What inspired the idea of bringing this to Kingston?

As the Mercantile gal, I have taken on the exciting challenge of sourcing, researching, and purchasing all the amazing products that fill our modern mercantile. From the very best tote bags to beautifully paper-lined notebooks and kitchen cookware, I’m always on the lookout for classic modern goods that bring joy and utility to everyday life.

My journey into running a mercantile started as a dream of having a modern general store and a person who loves to shop! But this is my very first foray into doing anything like this.  As such, I had many mentor friends during those early days. I get to work alongside friends who share the same passion for supporting local businesses. We’re all about complementing our district’s awesome shops and eateries, creating a vibrant shopping experience for everyone who walks through our doors.

How do you decide on the products sold in the shop?

My inspiration when creating the mercantile was that I envisioned not just a store–but a space that felt like home–one that inspired warmth, creativity, and connection. All the gifts and goods in our shop are carefully curated to reflect the various rooms within a home, inviting visitors to explore and imagine how each item might fit into their own spaces. Plus, shopping for gifts is always a lot of fun.

Researching and learning more about the different companies, materials, products, and founders have all been ingredients in sourcing products for the shop. We also love to carry items from our talented local friends, including pantry items such as skincare, cutting boards, and sunglasses, to name a few!

You have been producing some exciting events and workshops. Tell us about that and what we can look forward to this winter.

At Kingston Social, one of the highlights of our mercantile is our thoughtfully curated selection of coffee table design, art, and cookbooks. Cookbooks are more than just collections of recipes; they tell the stories of the chefs and writers behind them, often beautifully paired with photography that brings their journey to life.

Our collection of limited books, combined with so many local cookbook authors, encouraged the creation of in-store cookbook signings and conversations for folks to discover the inspiration behind the chef/author’s favorite dishes and recipes. I am especially grateful for my friend and mentor, Annette Tomei, who has been my co-pilot on these events and is an absolute gem.

Recently, we also hosted a delightful, crafty, family-inspired event with the authors of Mousetown, which was a huge hit! It was wonderful to see families come together to create and share the joy of art-making and storytelling. Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce a special cookbook afternoon in December featuring Renato Poliafito, the author of Dolci! He’ll share his baked goods in conversation with our dear friend and cookbook writer, Sarah Copeland. Save the Date: Sunday, December 8th.

What were you doing before Kingston Social?

I’m still doing it. I am the co-owner of DalyGonzalez and a partner at Bolton St. Johns. I specialize in public-private partnerships, real estate advisory services, and social impact projects for many years now. Having lived full-time in New York City, I built strong, long-standing relationships with clients that I continue to support today. This experience has provided me with invaluable insights into the complexities of real estate, arts and culture capital projects and community development.

In recent years, my focus has expanded to include select local projects in the Hudson Valley. I find joy in contributing to the growth and development of this beautiful region, leveraging my skills to foster connections between public and private sectors. Each project presents a unique opportunity to create lasting change and drive positive social impact. My community of family and friends, along with my consulting practice, Kingston Social, and my philanthropy, all resonate with me and are deeply influenced by direct human experiences.

What do you love about living + working in the Hudson Valley?

I’ve always been someone who embraces the four seasons, and living in the Hudson Valley has only deepened my love for nature and local farm stands, although I am a nervous nelly when it comes to driving in the snow. Here, the balance of life feels different—a bit calmer. The pace of work still has its moments of hustle, but it’s nothing like the constant rush I experienced living in NYC full-time.

Our growing close-knit community of friends is truly special and there is a true sense of belonging. It has a small-town vibe, similar to Carroll Gardens, where I lived and loved for 20 years, so it’s not so surprising that I love the Hudson Valley, Stone Ridge, and Kingston as much as I do!

What impact does your business have on your community?

Since launching Kingston Social, we’ve seen and met so many new friends and neighbors come in to enjoy Kingston Social in ways that have exceeded all our expectations. What started as a vision to create a space that complements the already thriving neighborhood of Uptown Kingston has turned into something even more meaningful: a place where families, friends, and neighbors come together to relax over a latte, experience new pieces of artwork, or shop for gifts.

We always hoped Kingston Social would fit seamlessly with the existing shops and restaurants our community loves; at the same time, it’s been heartwarming to see how well it’s been embraced.

What local businesses do you rely on to be successful?

Owning a shop in Uptown Kingston is more than just running a business; it involves being part of a thriving, close-knit community. Success here is not defined by any single shop but rather by the collaboration among all our shops, which allows us to truly flourish. Each of us brings something unique to the area, whether it’s handcrafted goods, local art, specialty foods, or clothing that caters to the people who live, work, and visit

We always recommend each other’s shops to friends, tourists, and neighbors. We have such incredible love and respect for our fellow shop owners. After all, one shop alone cannot draw in all the people, but together, we can create this vibrant shopping district.

What is missing in the area that you wish we had?

That’s a tough one because we’re lucky to have so many great restaurants and fun places to shop around here. But if I had to make a wish, it would be for a walkable smallish movie theater in Uptown Kingston. One that shows indie films and the big Hollywood blockbusters—I’m such a movie fan!

Where do you see taking Kingston Social in the future?

Expanding on the goodness we’ve created, some of this will include introducing new delicious Italian treats and an expansive array of mercantile goods combined with accessible and gorgeous artwork. We will continue to have community and pop-up events along the way as well. Whether you’re stopping by for a treat or looking for something special for your home, there’s something new to discover.

Tell us something about yourself people would be surprised to know.

I absolutely love country music, both classic and modern, and this might not be a big surprise to some, but I also adore a good hallmark movie.

What is your current state of mind?

I feel an immense sense of fulfillment, joy and gratitude. Realizing one of my passions alongside my family and close-knit friends means the world to me in this new chapter.

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Follow/Connect with Samara Daly at Kingston Social via Website | Instagram | Inside+Out Spotlight

Photos ©Terry Dagrosa | INSIDE+OUT Upstate NY

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Click HERE to see all of our exclusive interviews with the amazing folks who proudly call the Hudson Valley home.