Over the years, the Hunter Foundation has made a concerted effort to improve the appearance and environment of our Main Streets. This has never been more obvious than in Tannersville today. Partnering with the Royce Family Fund we have acquired eight key properties – each in varied stages of completion. The goal of the Royce projects is to rehabilitate vacant and/or run-down buildings, renovate them, put a business in them and then sell the building and the business at a LOSS. We go into these projects with the expectation of losing money but with the hope of creating jobs, filling vacant storefronts, launching businesses and accelerating the resurgence of the mountaintop.

The first of these projects was in 2003 with the purchase of the Astor House and Hye-Land Motel. Followed in 2004 with Warm’s Restaurant; 2005 saw the purchase of our beloved Hathaway; and then in 2006 we acquired McManus Pharmacy, Slopes, Aspens and Bubba’s. The Astor House is an amazing Victorian that dates back to the late 1800’s. We are thankful to have purchased it when we did because if it had been ignored just one more year it likely could not have been saved. This treasured property is the location for the Hunter Foundation office. It also has two apartments and 2200 square feet of retail space – an eclectic gift shop, gallery, wi-fi café/bakery, Trailways bus stop and bookstore. The Astor House property is available for sale. Please stop in for a pastry and coffee and have a look around!

The former Hye-Land Motel (an Armenian retreat for decades) was completely renovated into what is now “Hotel Mountain Brook” – an exquisite boutique hotel operated by Amy Lyn Bucca. Amy is doing a wonderful job and is expected to purchase the property in 2012. Amy writes “The Hotel Mountain Brook has worked diligently over the past two years to become a Hunter Foundation success story and an asset to the community. I have had the great advantage of working closely with the Hunter Foundation to build a world class reputation for the Hotel Mountain Brook. I am honored to be able to contribute to the Mountain Top community in such a way that offers tourists a distinctive opportunity to become acquainted with the natural splendor we locals auspiciously enjoy every day.” Amy Lyn is partnering with Amy Jackson of Amy’s Take Away and starting this fall they will be serving dinners to the public. “On behalf of the Hotel Mountain Brook, I would like to thank the Hunter Foundation for its unending commitment to restoring tourism on the Mountain Top and the prospects it provides for our community. I am proud to be a significant part of the transformation.” - Amy Lyn.

Warm’s Restaurant was truly an example for Royce projects to come... the owner/occupants were selected through an application process, the renovation process was fast (compared to others), and the opening was thrilling for all involved. Now, six years later, we consider this project to be a learning experience and are optimistic that it will become the mainstay for the community that we always thought it could be.

Hathaway, constructed in 1907 by V. Everit Macy for use as the family estate, is another of our cherished properties. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008. Our hope is to find the right person with the right vision for this amazing property – someone that truly appreciates its beauty and character.

McManus Pharmacy was purchased by the Foundation after sitting vacant for many years. Construction began on this building in the spring of 2008 and we opened the doors as the “Tannersville General Store” in May 2010. The store has a lunch counter, ice cream/soda fountain, candy counter, coffee roaster and many, many various items in an old time setting. Please come in and have a look around... it really is spectacular! This project is also available for sale.

Once a hub for Tannersville, one can find our final three Royce projects adjacent to the Orpheum Theater. When completed, this rehabilitated cluster of buildings making up the “Theater District” will turn a formerly dormant corner of the Village into a revitalized mecca for visitors to this Catskill Mountain community. The three Hunter Foundation buildings include:

6041 Main Street – When completed, the former “Aspens” building will likely house a popular eatery while the second and third floors will be converted to apartments.

6045 Main Street– When completed, the former “Slopes” building will house an Antiques Center on the first floor; office space on the second floor (which will ideally accommodate an IT office firm); and the third floor will be living space.

6049 Main Street, formerly “Bubba’s Bayou Shack” (and for decades prior to that it was the American Legion Hall) – The second floor is currently rented to Greene County Soil and Water and it is our shared hope that they will stay a very long time. The first floor is slated to become a Day Care Center. We are working with a potential operator and are hopeful that it will open its doors before the end of 2011.

It is important to note that the Orpheum Theater, and the dilapidated apartment building alongside the theater, are owned by Catskill Mountain Foundation. The Hunter Foundation has NO OWNERSHIP in either of these buildings BUT we have received grant funding on their behalf and ARE administering those grant funds by overseeing much of the construction.