Catering to the economy

When times change, you have two choices: go with the flow or remain the same and perhaps go down with the ship.

Colonial Terrace in Cortlandt Manor was a bungalow colony “in the middle of nowhere,” said Alan Drogy, who came to help out his in-laws, Oscar and Lillian Levitz, for one weekend 45 years ago. Now, with his wife, Sheila Levitz Drogy, and  their son, Leon, the family is rebranding the Colonial Terrace, just as Sheila”™s father did when he saw the area becoming more populated with residents and less populated by summer visitors.

“Oscar really had a keen sense of business and a knack for knowing what to do and when to do it,” said Alan Drogy. Levitz took down the bungalows, restored the 19^th century mansion on the property and went into the catering business “because he saw the area had a need,” Drogy said. “He had a nose for business, and it was the best decision he ever made.  The Colonial Terrace was the place to get married or have your special event.”

When Drogy Googled “catering facilities” within 50 miles of Colonial Terrace, he came  up with dozens. That”™s when the family decided it was time for the Colonial Terrace to reinvent itself once again.

“Leon worked at Tavern on the Green as general manager and at the Water”™s Edge … he knows the business, and we want it to continue into the third generation.” In order to make that happen, the Colonial Terrace has been re-branded as  The Mansion at Colonial Terrace, offering a different menu of options to choose from, including “virtual lunch” ”“ where the eatery will go into a private school, take over the kitchen and serve lunch to students.

“In this business, you either change with the times or go out of business,” Drogy said. “We decided to dedicate more of our time to conventions, meetings and seminars and offer things out of the usual. We have an agreement with the Marriott Courtyard Hotel and with local bed and breakfasts, so anyone who wants to stay over can be easily accommodated.”

The Drogys renovated the entire facility after a fire three years ago ”“ just in time for  the Great Recession.

“What can you do?” Drogy asked. “If it were just us, I”™d be upset, but everyone got hurt and is doing their best to stay alive. The taxes still have to be paid; the vendors still have to be paid ”“ you have to do what you have to do to survive.”

The Drogys don”™t plan on just surviving ”“ they plan to thrive under their new banner.

“We work with the local chambers of commerce ”“ The Hudson Valley Gateway, the Business Council of Westchester, the Putnam County Chambers of Commerce and the smaller ones that are in our area,” Drogy said. “We are reaching out to Ulster and Dutchess counties, rather than looking south. We feel that is where our market is.”

“We”™re not out to conquer the world,” Sheila Drogy said. “We enjoy what we do. There is nothing more wonderful than making someone”™s special day a day to remember. We”™re going to make every event we hold here ”“ whether it is a conference or a seminar or a wedding ”“ an event they will want to come back and experience again.”

Drogy welcomed the merger of the Greater Southern Dutchess Chamber of Commerce with the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

“I definitely plan on rejoining when the GSDCC membership is up. I think it”™s a great move in the right direction for Dutchess.”

While the family owned business has seen its share of recessions,  “We have never experienced the kind of market we have had to contend with since 2008,” Alan Drogy said. “Alan Greenspan warned us, but was anyone listening? In any event,  we are rebranding because we”™re going to get through this economic fiasco. What can”™t kill you will make you stronger, and we”™ll be stronger.”

Drogy said he sees the economy turning around, albeit slowly. Does he hope  the new governor, Andrew Cuomo, can make New York more business friendly and affordable?  “Yes ”¦ but we have the Legislature to contend with. What can I say? We”™ll have to see how it all plays out.”