Get to know the couple behind Rough Draft — a convivial bookstore-meets-café-meets-bar in historic uptown Kingston.

1
We grew up in two very small, working-class towns right next to each other along the Delaware River in South Jersey.

2

We met during summer band just before high school. At one point, Amanda’s fellow clarinet players sent me a note on her behalf asking if I'd go out with her, and to check yes or no — I checked yes.

3

Our first date was probably a group outing to the mall and movies. It was on and off (mostly on) throughout high school and college, but we've been best friends since that summer 26 years ago.

4

After college, Amanda moved to Brooklyn to continue a career in health and science journalism, and I [Anthony] followed soon after to teach Latin and coach at a public high school. We lived in Park Slope and Windsor Terrace for about a decade.

5

During that time, we traveled regularly through the Hudson Valley to go hiking and camping. At first, Kingston was just the spot on the thruway where we'd exit to head into the Catskills. Then, during one of our trips, we were forced to stay overnight due to a massive thunderstorm. It was one of the best things to ever happen to us.

6

We fell in love with Kingston — the restaurants and bars, the character of the various neighborhoods, the art and music everywhere, the architecture — and most importantly — the people.

7

The idea for Rough Draft was a slow burn. I [Anthony] was inspired by a divey used-bookstore in North Carolina called Skylight, which taught me that bookstores don’t have to be quiet and stuffy. They can be lively “third spaces” with coffee, beer and people meeting.

8

We spent about 15 years "researching" bookstores, coffee, and craft beer, and also came across some other great inspirations, (like Spotty Dog in Hudson, Freebird and the Tea Lounge in Brooklyn) and a few other great combo businesses. Everywhere we lived, worked, or visited, we looked at places and imagined our "bookstore bar."

9

In 2016, we officially moved to Kingston with the plan to open the shop. We believed that an independent bookstore would be welcomed, and that a community-focused, pub-like meeting place would do well.

10

We spent a year looking for the perfect place, and around the time we were getting serious, a sign appeared in the window of an 18th century stone building at a historic intersection. The unconventional space was meant to be and has been home to Rough Draft since.

11

We batted around names for several years before landing on Rough Draft thanks to our good friend Ryan, a master punster.

12

We always fantasized about putting up a sign near a big, comfy reading couch that says: "Please put your feet up on the furniture," and we strive for that level of love and comfort every day.

13

Sundays are one of the only days we try to take off. We love to spend the day shopping for or preparing some type of meal at home — either for a relaxing night with just the two of us, or if we're feeling ambitious, we invite a few friends.

14

We're slowly hiking our way through the 35 Catskill peaks over 3,500 feet. Whenever we get the chance, we try to cross one of those off our list followed by a celebratory drink at one of the many fantastic Hudson Valley breweries.

15

A book I [Amanda] recently enjoyed was “The Sentence” by Louise Erdrich. The main character works in a bookstore and is navigating life during the pandemic. Perhaps we're a bit biased, but we really think this book would resonate with so many people. It takes place in Minnesota in the wake of George Floyd's killing and the subsequent protests that rocked the nation. It has heavy subject matter, but is also extremely funny, insightful, and heartwarming in a way a lot of us need right now.

Find @roughdraftny in Kingston, New York. www.roughdraftny.com

By Anna Deutsch
Images by Erin Glover

Volume 8