Samuel’s Sweet Shop: More Than Just Chocolate
Unbeknownst to some Hudson Valley residents, this area is actually crawling with celebrities. Its privacy and proximity to New York City make it a hot spot for some of the biggest names in show business to hang out for some much-needed seclusion from the big city.
Peter Dinklage, along with Kelsey Grammar, spend time in Woodstock; Hilarie Burton can be found in the Poughkeepsie Stop & Shop; Daryl Hall can be seen strolling around town or in his restaurant…the list goes on and on.
For Dutchess County residents, it seems that the most frequent celebrity run-ins actually occur with Paul Rudd. Rudd, known for roles in Anchorman, Wet Hot American Summer, I Love You Man and more, is recognized throughout the world. What the public might not know, however, is that Rudd owns a candy store located in Rhinebeck.
Samuel’s Sweet Shop, known for colorful candies and mouthwatering chocolates, has two celebrities running the store and operations: Rudd and The Walking Dead’s Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Hilarie Burton, mentioned earlier, is married to Morgan and is partners with both him and Rudd.
So what exactly are you, as a fan, supposed to do when you encounter a local Hudson Valley celeb?
“I walked in the store and saw Paul Rudd and my mouth fell to the floor. I didn’t expect it,” Marist student Mike King said. “He just laughed at me because I froze.”
King says the celebrity went on about his business — checking inventory, greeting customers and acting like an everyday employee.
“I felt uncomfortable asking him for a picture, but he just kept walking around and smiling so I thought it was okay to do.”
King proceeded to go on and say that he prefaced the photo with light conversation about Rudd’s work.
“He seemed to really appreciate the conversation. I told him my favorite Paul Rudd character of all time is Bobby Newport from Parks & Recreation and he couldn’t stop laughing. He was like, ‘THAT’S your favorite character?!’”
Another Marist student, Allison Nixon, has had encounters with both Rudd and Burton in the store. Unlike King, she chose to engage in more conversation as opposed to asking for a picture or two.
“It was a little bit busier in the store and I honestly wanted to have a conversation with them both,” Nixon said. “I knew this could be my only chance and I’m huge fans. I told Hilarie all about my love for Peyton Sawyer on her show.”
A picture might be worth a thousand words, but a few hundred words with your favorite celebrity might be worth more.
Overall, local residents try to play it cool. After all, celebrities live here to get away from the hectic fans they encounter in more populated areas like Manhattan or Los Angeles.
So, please do not hesitate to visit Samuel’s Sweet Shop, not just for the chance at a celebrity encounter, but for the sole fact that the store sells chocolate and candy that are out of this world. But, of course, a celebrity interaction in Rhinebeck would be nice, too!
