Denise and Rick Maxa
A favorite pedestrian pastime when in Corning, NY, is admiring the collection of historic buildings that line Market Street. Many of them house small shops and cafes, as well as favorite bars and restaurants, and above some of these businesses are people’s homes. Apartments and lofts rented or owned, giving those rare few a slice of the best of Market St. living.
We had the opportunity to visit one of these beautiful and historic lofts – the home of Rick and Denise Maxa, long-time Corning residents.
Denise was born in Wellsboro, PA. Her family made their way to Horseheads when her Father returned from his naval service, and at this point, she considers herself a SoFLX “lifer”.
Rick was born in Fort Knox, KY, and went immediately to Heidelberg, Germany, where his father was stationed for the first 6 years of his life. He then moved to Bethesda, MD, for grade school, eventually making his way to Alfred, NY, for college. Soon after, he began his career with Corning Glass Works (as it was called in 1980)
Some of Denise’s favorite memories growing up in the area are the winters. “Those felt like true winters,” Denise said. “I remember snowbanks at least 6′ high! Much of this area looked very different before the horrific 1972 flood. Market Street in Corning was known for its many bars and taverns, highly attributed to the many employees of Corning Glass Works (at that time).”
Corning began renovating the downtown area after the flood. With so many buildings demolished by the high waters and mud, this presented an ideal opportunity to revamp the area, making it more visually appealing to both residents and visitors. “Kudos to the good fortune of our major employer leading this vision,” Denise said.
Despite the wonderful community and life both Denise and Rick have in Corning, NY, we wondered if they ever considered moving away. While Denise considered moving to the big city many times, but never left, Rick never felt the urge. “Denise and I did think of retiring in Lake Placid as we had a home there, but with years of solid friendships, we could never replace them, so we have stayed.”
“Because of this area’s geography, we can enjoy mountains, lakes, trees, rivers, and so much is within reasonable driving distances for us,” Denise said. “The Finger Lakes winery region, widely unknown years ago, is now becoming a recognized region.” She added, “The Corning Museum of Glass has become internationally known as a true destination … having recently renovated and expanded, allowing more glass blowing opportunities and visitor interface experiences.”
She also pointed out how the local businesses have changed over the years … changing hands, changing offerings, and changing the experience for visitors and residents. “Corning has become a small town with a sophisticated big city vibe.”
“I’ve always loved and enjoyed the natural beauty, and as Denise mentioned,” Rick said. “I lived just outside of Corning for 23 years before moving to town to purchase our building as well as the local wine and spirits store on Market St. – pretty much destined to stay!”
He added, “Thankfully, there have been several small entrepreneurs who saw the potential in downtown and over the past 20 years have purchased and renovated many wonderful properties into living spaces. About 20 years ago, there were only about 30 living spaces. Currently, I believe there are about 130 in the Gaffer District.”
The growth and potential of the area are among the things they feel are the most underrated aspects of life here. “I don’t believe ‘outsiders’ understand all that Corning and the surrounding area have to offer – both professionally and personally,” said Denise. “We now have the addition of excellent dining establishments … many offering farm-to-table experiences. The Clemens Center provides visitors and residents with a range of Broadway shows, musicals, and dance experiences.” She acknowledges that shopping leaves a little to be desired, but the main shopping destinations are within driving distance.
Both she and Rick agree that people don’t understand the many career opportunities that exist in the region. From technology to hospitality to manufacturing to education to medical, this area offers opportunities competitive with larger towns and cities.
“I think it’s important to know that because of our ‘smallness’, this area is perfect to start and raise families. The small-town feel that is safe and offers so much to do for so many.”
One piece of advice that Denise and Rick would offer to anyone looking to relocate to the area is to start with a visit and truly observe, and “don’t judge by the cover”.
“Sometimes immersing yourself in the authentic feel of an area can give you the best insight into what living, working, and playing here is really about.”
Thank you, Denise and Rick for sharing your story! Read more SoFLX stories to learn about life, work, and play in the Southern Finger Lakes.