Kerri Corrigan and her sister had been staging barn-weddings in Columbia County for over 15 years when she came across what looked to be an abandoned farm on Bronck Mill Road in the Historic Hudson River Town of Coxsackie, NY. Her vision, creativity, and dedication to detail brings hundreds of guests to each event at Owls Hoot Barn, and significant revenue to local hospitality businesses.
Seeing opportunity amid clutter…
The overgrown buildings on what would become the Owls Hoot Barn site caught Kerri’s eye while she was on her way to visit the Bronck Museum (a site operated as a working farm by 8 generations of the Bronck family beginning in 1663). She couldn’t help herself from stopping and taking a look around.
Hidden among the brush and random tree growth, she found the type of post and beam structures once prevalent across the working farms of Greene County – hand hewn out North American Chestnut logs during a time when those trees were more abundant than the Maple trees that have taken their place. These features became the starting point for restoration and repurposing.
Getting started…
Kerri presented her business plan to the Coxsackie Town Planning Board that demonstrated the positive economic impact on local businesses of hosting 10 weddings a year at the re-purposed farm. The growing popularity of ‘Ag Tourism’ (of which barn-weddings are a vital part) drives hundreds of thousands of metropolitan residents to rural areas to experience their historic character, the scenic beauty of the outdoors. The Owls Hoot Barn plan would account for over $1 million of new annual revenue to the Greene County caterers, restaurants, lodging, retail, and hospitality service businesses, directly or indirectly benefiting from the hosted events.
Going the extra mile…
The 10-acre Owls Hoot Barn property also includes accommodations for couples and entourages in their Owls Nest Cabin (a lovingly restored into a private 1 Bed/1 Bath cabin with a claw foot tub, vintage kitchen, wood / brick walls and is outfitted with vintage furniture & antiques) and the Circa 1804 Farmhouse, restored with attention to historic detail while adding modern amenities. 3 bedrooms and 2.5 baths the home comfortably sleeps 10. A fully equipped chefs kitchen inside and just steps outside brings you to the bluestone patio with heritage rock walls and a large BBQ grill providing enjoyable indoor and outdoor cooking/dining options.
Owls Hoot Barn is available for stays all year round and hosts weddings and events during the spring, summer and fall.
If you want to learn more about how to Make It In Greene, check out our free helpful business guides and contact the Invest In Greene team by email or phone at 518-719-3290.
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Topics: Success Stories
