Hometown Throwdown: Feelin’ Funky in Franklin, New York

The other day, I had some station business to attend to in Walton, and I found myself in the village of Franklin, NY. It's been a while since I last visited, and I was happy to see some of the things that have popped up in town as well as some old favorites.

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As of the 2020 census, the population of the village was a whopping 258 people. The town of Franklin is home to 2.411 people. Franklin is small but mighty, with a lot of way cool things to experience.

Franklin Stage Company

Billed as professional theater of the Great Western Catskills, Franklin Stage Company has been in operation since 1996 and strives to "produce professional, admission-free theater that brings together audiences and artists to create community and celebrate the enduring power of stories; and to ensure the preservation of Chapel Hall". FSC's season typically runs from the end of June to the end of August.

The Tulip and the Rose Cafe

If you had told me there was a Sufi owned place in Franklin serving up Thai, Turkish, Indian, Malaysian, Iranian cuisine and more, I might have heartily guffawed on the floor. But it's very real, and quite outstanding. The many reviews and TV appearances speak for themselves.

Franklin Farmers Market

The Franklin Farmers Market runs from Memorial Day weekend through Columbus Day weekend on Sundays 10am-2pm, and is located at Chapel Hall, the same space that Franklin Stage Company occupies. This is a really nice market with a wide variety of local offerings.

Franklin Mountain

I've got to call Franklin Mountain right out on the carpet. As many locals know, it has its own microclimate. When I left Oneonta the other day, it was partly sunny with some minor snow flurries. When I crossed the line into Franklin, it was January. I experienced blowing, blinding snow, sleet, ice, freezing fog, and witnessed the aftermath of a deer vs. pickup accident. When I dropped in to Walton, it was sunny and partly cloudy. What madness!