Peck’s Market has preserved its grandfathered zoning status through Aug. 23, 2027, after the Pine Plains building inspector determined that a one-day reopening this summer was sufficient to continue the property’s longstanding use as a grocery store.
The decision means the owners of the Church Street property — or a potential buyer — could reopen a grocery operation before Aug. 23, 2027, without first undergoing the Planning Board review that would be required if the protected use were to lapse.
In a Sept. 2 letter addressed to Peck’s Market, Building Inspector and Code Enforcement Officer Ed Casazza formally determined that Peck’s “was legally open for business on August 23, 2026.” He told the Herald on Wednesday, Sept. 30, that Peck’s had sold vegetables outside the market and processed purchases at a cash register inside the building.
Peck’s Market, the town’s only grocery store, closed in late September 2025 after 103 years in business. Its grocery operation is considered a preexisting nonconforming use because it predates Pine Plains’ zoning regulations, which took effect in 2009. That status can continue indefinitely but cannot be re-established after the use has been discontinued for a full calendar year.
The Herald reported in August that Peck’s was approaching that deadline. Planning Board Chair Michael Stabile said then that losing the grandfathered status would require a future grocery operation to undergo a full site plan review, which could also involve approvals from Dutchess County health officials.
“Obviously, the town would like to see a market again,” Casazza told the Herald. “I wanted to make it as easy for them to reopen as I possibly can.”
When contacted, a member of the Peck family declined to comment.