Article by Drew Kramer
Several months ago, two Scarsdale moms sat down for coffee with Scarsdale’s newly minted mayor. Now almost a year into his two year term, Justin Arest–a New Rochelle native, a dad, a lawyer and commercial real estate executive–arrived promptly and professionally. His power red tie coordinated with his strawberry slushy, indicating a softer side, while presenting as all business.
Walking us through his road to politics, we learn he spent his undergrad years at NYU Stern School of Business before choosing the big law track. After earning his JD at George Washington University School of Law, he went on to corporate law and then his current day job in real estate investment and management. This experience managing big real estate projects and his interest in civic engagement led him to raise his hand for community boards in Manhattan and eventually to enter Scarsdale politics. Beginning in 2018 as Trustee and Deputy Mayor, and now Mayor of Scarsdale, Justin declares his focus is on creative problem solving and developing operational efficiencies that help Scarsdale families.
Pausing for a moment to shake a few local hands, we return to the discussion with a shift to the human side of the man behind the tie. Pressed for some details about his family life, we uncover a Scarsdale romance. Justin and his wife Allison met as teenagers at Scoop Shop in the Golden Horseshoe. A Quaker Ridge native with her own impressive career in finance and technology, Allison Arest adds detail to this power couple’s rise from long distance college courtship to suburban mom and dad. Reflecting on long distance and long hours in big law and finance, Allison believes this hard work helped them to “grow as individuals, but still have a strong bond and connection.” To her, their “absence makes the heart grow fonder” approach prepared them for their current reality: raising two kids, two sheepadoodles and an english bulldog, while growing two careers and managing one ascent into local politics. As partners, they spend their days dividing and conquering to meet the needs of their family and individual work lives. Each has their own specific roles and responsibilities to the household, but they bring their stories back to the family dinner table.
Their teamwork is apparent, but when asked how they manage to do all the things, each credits the other and their village–Scarsdale. It was always Allison’s plan to move back to her hometown. For Justin, a self-described “suburban guy,” he was drawn to Scarsdale for its smart and social community that “works together to get their kids from point A to point B.” Friends’ homes became their kids’ second homes. Between nearby family, their longtime nanny and neighborhood friends, “we make it work.”
Compared to their own childhoods in the region, the Arests observe more diverse family structures making it work in Scarsdale. The mix of families with either one or two working parents makes the vibrance and depth of the community richer. There is a lot more going on today. To support Scarsdale’s community of professionals and their modern interests, Arest aims to make it easier for the arts and local businesses to operate in the Village. Already the neighborhood is welcoming new restaurants that cater to urban dining sensibilities, like Micheline and Cafe Alaia (Arest’s son’s favorite). In partnership with the Scarsdale Business Alliance, Arest works to pilot special events and everyday opportunities to eat, gather and shop in Scarsdale’s bustling Village center. The Sunday Farmers’ Market and Thursday Summer music nights (Westchester Band) bring the food and music culture our community demands. As Mayor, Justin is passionate about making sure Scarsdale systems operate properly so that the town can deliver the premium education and cultural experience this sophisticated community desires.
As a result, the Scarsdale community is busier today. To best serve this fast-paced, work-hard, play-hard community, the Arests lead by example. Says Justin, “I love that my kids see me do all that I can for my family, my business and this community.” As Allison puts it, “sometimes we’re tired, but we want to teach our children that if you power through, you will get something out of it in the end.”