ELLENVILLE – Canal Street Knifeworks had its grand opening and ceremonial ribbon cutting on Tuesday, December 1. This new business, located at 77 North Main Street in Ellenville, is expected to be a great boon to the village, and a draw for knife-enthusiasts from out of town.

"This just may be the thing that puts us back on our feet," said county legislator-elect Terry Bernardo, a member of the Ulster County Chamber of Commerce.

Also on hand to celebrate the ribbon-cutting were members of the community and elected officials, including Asha Golliher of the Ellenville-Wawarsing Chamber of Commerce, Wawarsing Town Supervisor Ed Jennings, Wawarsing Highway Superintendent Gil Davis, and Ellenville Village Manager and Ulster County Legislator Mary Sheeley, just to name a few.

Canal Street Knifeworks offers unique and well-crafted knives along with knife-care products and specialty knives. This knife shop has a full line of Ellenville's own Canal Street Cutlery, all of which have fine detail that is not common in knives found elsewhere. Many of the knives have steel blades and natural bone, wood, antler, and horn handles. Knifeworks will also have new products by next year.

"It is a struggle to make things in New York, nobody should be under a misconception that it isn't," said Canal Street Cutlery's Wally Gardner regarding the challenges the company has faced. "It's expensive, it's time consuming, and you have to make something that's truly outstanding insofar as quality and everything else, but I think we're doing that."

Until a permanent home is found for the shop, the Knifeworks will be taking up residence in Greater Wawarsing Local Development Corporation Chair Michael Siegel's law office. Carrying on a local tradition, this business will provide a central location for people to appreciate the history of fine knife-making that has been in the Town of Wawarsing since 1840.