News
May 14, 2018The Dilly Bean Comes to Jay Street in Schenectady
The Chamber and its Ambassadors, along with local elected officials, patrons, family and friends were on hand to help young entrepreneur, Abby Rockmacher, officially open The Dilly Bean on Jay Street in downtown Schenectady.
Abigail Rockmacher is a 23 year old young entrepreneur with a bachelor’s degree in both Sociology and Criminal Justice from the College of Saint Rose in Albany. Although Abby’s formal education is not in business, she worked for a small local pickle company for two years and worked in many local businesses learning the in’s and outs. She has over seven years of professional pickling and customer service experience.
Abby, like many college grads, was lost coming out of college. She felt trapped working for many local restaurants as the pay was better than a typical 40 hour week job. In October, 2017 she saw a listing for a business down sizing on Jay Street in Schenectady. Abby has helped start a pickle line in Saratoga, but she was ready to jump on the opportunity to bring something unique to Schenectady. Abby recognizes the rejuvenation and renovation of Schenectady and thought this would be the perfect place to start her pickle venture.
The pickling style Abby does is unique in many ways. She lacto-ferments, which has roots dating back to early civilization in Mesopotamia. Lacto-fermentation is the most natural and beneficial way to preserve food, there are no additives or preservatives in anything Abby ferments. The proliferation of lactobacilli in fermented vegetables enhances digestibility and increases vitamin levels. These beneficial organism produce numerous helpful enzymes as well as antibiotic and anti carcinogenic substances. Their main by-product, lactic acid, promotes the growth of healthy flora throughout the intestine, and also keeps fruits and vegetables in a perfect state of preservation.
Abby is a strong believer in foods healing people. She wanted to bring not only something unique to her community, but something that would promote healthy living. Not only has Abby started a pickle store, but she has also expanded her retail area into promoting other local and healthy businesses. Abby firmly believes in helping others grow in order to help herself grow. She has donated soup, mac and cheese, and various vegetables to local homeless shelters after events. Abby is also teaming up with The Regional Food Bank to raise awareness and collect food items during the grand opening weekend.
Abby is trying to showcase as many fresh local products as possible. The DillyBean can also be found at many festivals and flea markets throughout the year.
