For Co-Founders Paul Seres and Charles Ferri, the rich local history of Ulster County is vital to their customer’s experience at The Hudson House & Distillery. This project, known as The Star Estate, came to fruition in 2021 through a PILOT agreement with the UCIDA.
“There is a mutual benefit for Businesses and IDAs. Having a PILOT made the most sense for us when starting out and we love the new leadership we’re seeing out of the Ulster IDA.”
From the beginning Seres and Ferri understood the unique tourism element of Ulster County. With such a unique and special property, they were eager to host a beautiful experience of the area, including an unforgettable view of the Hudson River.
The property has been the home to three previous owners. Kingston’s own founder of Ulster County Savings; philanthropist Archibald Russell, who built the home for his family on what was then known as the Glen Albyn Estate. Upon his passing in 1871 the property was sold by his wife Helen to the Durkee family in 1885. The Durkee’s were proprietors who purchased the property as a wedding gift for their daughter until the 1920’s when it was sold to the Christian Brotherhood. For over 100 years the property served as a working monastery known as the Santa Maria Novitiate.
Seres and Ferri, immediately understanding the local historical value of this property, created their vision for the property that embodied local charm, community, and world class spirits;
“Respecting our past and embracing the future, The Hudson House & Distillery represents a beacon of hope that old world can be blended into the new world and still maintain authenticity to who we are as a craft distillery, event space and restaurant.”
The Distillery buys their corn, wheat, and rye from local farms, creating a true taste of Ulster County. With an event calendar filled with Bougie Bingo Nights, Live Bands and DJ’s, and even 80’s and 90’s Dance nights – Hudson House goes above and beyond to bring the community together.
The Star Estate is an exemplary model of what kinds of business the Ulster County IDA wants to bring to you. Businesses that offer high quality goods and services, reliable good paying jobs, and most importantly; that uplift the Ulster County community at large. It gives entrepreneurs like Seres and Ferri the ability to grow their business in a more organic fashion. It also allows more opportunities to provide jobs in a part of Ulster County where jobs never existed before, something they are both very proud of.
