John Gilvey, Wendy Gilvey, Michael Benzer and Jennifer Smith founded Hudson Beach Glass in 1987 and later opened their Main Street gallery. (Photo by Ross Corsair)
In 2003, they opened their gallery and glass blowing demonstration studio on Beacon’s Main Street in
a restored 1893 firehouse originally built for the Lewis Tompkins Hose Company, which had been decommissioned two decades earlier. Hudson Beach Glass thrived from the start, opening on Beacon’s first Second Saturday in January
2003. They believed that Main Street in Beacon, which at that time was substantially boarded up with
only a few businesses, would eventually become a destination. Their investment and faith paid off.
Today, Hudson Beach Glass is a cornerstone of the glass art world. In addition to their selection of
beautiful creations by artists and the opportunity to watch glass blowers in action, today’s customers
can also participate in creating their own pieces under the guidance of skilled artisans, including
holiday ornaments, bowls, hearts, flowers and paperweights.
a restored 1893 firehouse originally built for the Lewis Tompkins Hose Company, which had been decommissioned two decades earlier. Hudson Beach Glass thrived from the start, opening on Beacon’s first Second Saturday in January
2003. They believed that Main Street in Beacon, which at that time was substantially boarded up with
only a few businesses, would eventually become a destination. Their investment and faith paid off.
Today, Hudson Beach Glass is a cornerstone of the glass art world. In addition to their selection of
beautiful creations by artists and the opportunity to watch glass blowers in action, today’s customers
can also participate in creating their own pieces under the guidance of skilled artisans, including
holiday ornaments, bowls, hearts, flowers and paperweights.