OMG! You have GOT to be kidding! When there are businesses in Hudson that a struggling to make it day to day we now have a hotel that is "bespoke", "curated" and "artisinal"? The owners (who clearly have no idea nor care what CoVid has done to the average business in Hudson) want people to feel like they are staying at a friend's house?! HOLY MOLY - if I had a friend that could afford to live in a place like this I wouldn't need to stay in their house. Seriously - this place is EXACTLY what was wrong with Hudson pre-CoVid: ostentatious wealth, hipster privilege, disgusting excess and entitlement. Do we want more of that here? They have spared no expense because money is clearly no object to them. Let's see all the wannabe's jump on the bandwagon to scream how fabulous it is. Funny, it's probably the same people that shouted out how fabulous The Wick was going to be. How'd that work out? Not for nothing, but how much did they have to pay for this Forbes article? Never mind. I think I know the answer.
At the risk of being labeled a “wanna be” I take issue with Funky’s castigation of The Maker Hotel and it’s owners. For a person who elsewhere on this blog bemoans and belittles the ineffectiveness of the “pie-in-the-sky”efforts to attract tourists to Hudson, he(she) seems a tad disingenuous. While I and every other taxpayer in Hudson share Funky’s legitimate concern about the number of businesses that have fallen victim to the impact of the virus and the ripple effect it will have on our taxes I take issue with attacking any enterprise and smearing it’s owners for investing their own money to insure success. In addition to no doubt attracting tourists as well as many locals( count me among them) and the related sales tax they generate The Maker Hotel, Cafe, Lounge and soon to be opened Gym provide much needed jobs to dozens of people including many local youth who are afforded an invaluable opportunity to earn a living while also learning a trade. Even more troubling is the ad hominem attack on the owners who “ clearly have no idea NOR CARE( emphasis added) what CoVid has done to the average business in Hudson “. Clearly, MR./Ms. F Hudson has no clue what the hell he/she is talking about. They are lambasted for “sparing no expense” and being exhibit A of “EXACTLY what was wrong with Hudson”. Huh? So reclaiming one of the most prominent corners in Hudson and spending whatever it took to create a breathtaking collection of businesses is to be mocked and criticized? I guess their donating 100% of the proceeds from one of their products which is even named after our city is more evidence to support such a scandalous accusation. In answer to the Funkster’s question “ do we want more of this here” I offer a resounding and unequivocal, we should be so lucky.
I applaud the owners for investing in Hudson and am sure The Maker complex will attract visitors, especially in light of this article. If they do, in fact, employ locals (possibly a tough nut to crack given the high-end nature of their business model) then the applause is even more well deserved, although not sure "youth" are going to be offered or interested in the "invaluable opportunity" you mention. Heck, we can't even get a some of them to even finish high school. I don't begrudge them one cent that they spent and apologize if "sparing no expense" was perceived as lambasting - it was simply stating the (obvious) facts. Nor was I aware of the owners donating proceeds from one of their products; which product and where is the money being donated? It's a shame others weren't aware of their generosity. Again, kudos to them. BUT - as for The Maker attracting locals? Hmmm. Maybe you, maybe me (for a milestone celebration perhaps - but I'll probably stick to BackBar), but the average Hudsonian? The article says rooms are starting at $350. For many like me that is their entire weekly take home. I'm hopeful about the Gym (if it is going to be open to the public): PlanetFitness may not re-open so I'll need to start a new membership somewhere. Hope my $10/month will cover it, though I'm pretty sure it won't. Yes, they have "reclaimed one of the most prominent corners in Hudson" and the complex is certainly "breathtaking". But Hudson continues to struggle with addressing the perception of "us" versus "them". Don't kid yourself, The Maker was built for one. I wish them all the best luck!
The product they are donating 100% of the total sale (not just a portion) is the perfume inspired by Hudson that we designed and developed with the owner of The Maker. As a local business, I appreciate that they strive to work with local artisans and trades people, and hire scores of local talent, young and not so young. For our part, we didn't charge the usual development fee knowing that the sales were always planned to go back to the community. Hudson Youth Organization is the benefactor of the sales.
An article to cater to the wet dreams of the nouveau riche. I personally would not feel "comfortable" staying at such an establishment, particularly after reading that article. One can cut all that pretension with a knife.
Steve, we all benefit from this, even though you may this is too fancy. it costs alot to do this, and Hudson gets 8 percent in sales tax and hotel taxes on top of that.
J Kay, whomever you are, you don’t understand how sales taxes work. The Coty does not get 8% of the “sales tax.” Four percent goes to NYS. Of the remaining half, Hudson only gets a portion with percentages shared between the county and the other 4 municipalities that share the 12534 zip code. The only portion that is Hudson’s to keep is the 4% lodging tax that is also a “sales tax” though levied for and by the City for its benefit.
Thanks. For the clarification. Part of the Money does come to Hudson. How would we be doing without it. ?? We just found out when our economy collapsed.
We are doing Not very well financially. Lets hope it all comes back so the county the State snf Hudson get back on track. Living here is really expensive if you are Rich or poor.
i know two people who lost their jobs and were re-employed by the maker. We are lucky to have such an operation here.
the owner sees what the future of Hudson can be, and has invested here to our advantage.
Old original Hudson was built by independent business people with good ideas who built the town in the 19th century. We live in those buildings that they erected and did business in. Thank God the Maker and the other individual investors are here to keep rebuilding the City.
Everyone rich and poor benefits -- the City gets revenue and sales taxes, and the services it provides can be paid for. Hudson was always a haven for all, lets keep it that way.
The Maker not only hires local but outfits it's hotel, restaurant, cafe and bar with furnishings from local stores, has utilized local restorers, refinishers, upholsterers and other crafts people, lighting for example. They have poured tons of their own money into Hudson and revitalized a corner of town which used to be, not too long ago, the worst corner in Hudson. Now it is a place of beauty, both inside and outside and welcomes people as they turn on 3rd and Warren with a beautiful aspect. Bravo Maker.
Hudson has two extremes. The Maker who beautifies and attracts and feeds ppl from their own pocket and Galvan who takes government money to live off the poor at the tax free expense of the city.
OMG! You have GOT to be kidding! When there are businesses in Hudson that a struggling to make it day to day we now have a hotel that is "bespoke", "curated" and "artisinal"? The owners (who clearly have no idea nor care what CoVid has done to the average business in Hudson) want people to feel like they are staying at a friend's house?! HOLY MOLY - if I had a friend that could afford to live in a place like this I wouldn't need to stay in their house. Seriously - this place is EXACTLY what was wrong with Hudson pre-CoVid: ostentatious wealth, hipster privilege, disgusting excess and entitlement. Do we want more of that here? They have spared no expense because money is clearly no object to them. Let's see all the wannabe's jump on the bandwagon to scream how fabulous it is. Funny, it's probably the same people that shouted out how fabulous The Wick was going to be. How'd that work out? Not for nothing, but how much did they have to pay for this Forbes article? Never mind. I think I know the answer.
ReplyDeleteThe Wick was never intended to be fabulous.It was meant to be affordable and attractive to business people.
DeleteAlternate headline-"Debbi Does Deluxe."
ReplyDeleteAt the risk of being labeled a “wanna be” I take issue with Funky’s castigation of The Maker Hotel and it’s owners. For a person who elsewhere on this blog bemoans and belittles the ineffectiveness of the “pie-in-the-sky”efforts to attract tourists to Hudson, he(she) seems a tad disingenuous. While I and every other taxpayer in Hudson share Funky’s legitimate concern about the number of businesses that have fallen victim to the impact of the virus and the ripple effect it will have on our taxes I take issue with attacking any enterprise and smearing it’s owners for investing their own money to insure success. In addition to no doubt attracting tourists as well as many locals( count me among them) and the related sales tax they generate The Maker Hotel, Cafe, Lounge and soon to be opened Gym provide much needed jobs to dozens of people including many local youth who are afforded an invaluable opportunity to earn a living while also learning a trade.
ReplyDeleteEven more troubling is the ad hominem attack on the owners who “ clearly have no idea NOR CARE( emphasis added) what CoVid has done to the average business in Hudson “. Clearly, MR./Ms. F Hudson has no clue what the hell he/she is talking about. They are lambasted for “sparing no expense” and being exhibit A of “EXACTLY what was wrong with Hudson”. Huh? So reclaiming one of the most prominent corners in Hudson and spending whatever it took to create a breathtaking collection of businesses is to be mocked and criticized? I guess their donating 100% of the proceeds from one of their products which is even named after our city is more evidence to support such a scandalous accusation.
In answer to the Funkster’s question “ do we want more of this here” I offer a resounding and unequivocal, we should be so lucky.
I applaud the owners for investing in Hudson and am sure The Maker complex will attract visitors, especially in light of this article. If they do, in fact, employ locals (possibly a tough nut to crack given the high-end nature of their business model) then the applause is even more well deserved, although not sure "youth" are going to be offered or interested in the "invaluable opportunity" you mention. Heck, we can't even get a some of them to even finish high school.
DeleteI don't begrudge them one cent that they spent and apologize if "sparing no expense" was perceived as lambasting - it was simply stating the (obvious) facts. Nor was I aware of the owners donating proceeds from one of their products; which product and where is the money being donated? It's a shame others weren't aware of their generosity. Again, kudos to them.
BUT - as for The Maker attracting locals? Hmmm. Maybe you, maybe me (for a milestone celebration perhaps - but I'll probably stick to BackBar), but the average Hudsonian? The article says rooms are starting at $350. For many like me that is their entire weekly take home. I'm hopeful about the Gym (if it is going to be open to the public): PlanetFitness may not re-open so I'll need to start a new membership somewhere. Hope my $10/month will cover it, though I'm pretty sure it won't.
Yes, they have "reclaimed one of the most prominent corners in Hudson" and the complex is certainly "breathtaking". But Hudson continues to struggle with addressing the perception of "us" versus "them". Don't kid yourself, The Maker was built for one. I wish them all the best luck!
Jobs, taxes, commitment, antiquities, beauty - nuff said.
DeleteThe product they are donating 100% of the total sale (not just a portion) is the perfume inspired by Hudson that we designed and developed with the owner of The Maker. As a local business, I appreciate that they strive to work with local artisans and trades people, and hire scores of local talent, young and not so young. For our part, we didn't charge the usual development fee knowing that the sales were always planned to go back to the community. Hudson Youth Organization is the benefactor of the sales.
DeleteThank you Christopher
DeleteDennis, your comment is exactly how many and maybe most feel.
ReplyDeleteI would amend this to say "Dennis, your comment is exactly how many and maybe most who read this blog feel."
DeleteAn article to cater to the wet dreams of the nouveau riche. I personally would not feel "comfortable" staying at such an establishment, particularly after reading that article. One can cut all that pretension with a knife.
ReplyDeleteSteve, we all benefit from this, even though you may this is too fancy. it costs alot to do this, and Hudson gets 8 percent in sales tax and hotel taxes on top of that.
DeleteJ Kay, whomever you are, you don’t understand how sales taxes work. The Coty does not get 8% of the “sales tax.” Four percent goes to NYS. Of the remaining half, Hudson only gets a portion with percentages shared between the county and the other 4 municipalities that share the 12534 zip code. The only portion that is Hudson’s to keep is the 4% lodging tax that is also a “sales tax” though levied for and by the City for its benefit.
DeleteThanks. For the clarification. Part of the Money does come to Hudson. How would we be doing without it. ?? We just found out when our economy collapsed.
DeleteWe are doing Not very well financially. Lets hope it all comes back so the county the State snf Hudson get back on track. Living here is really expensive if you are Rich or poor.
i know two people who lost their jobs and were re-employed by the maker. We are lucky to have such an operation here.
ReplyDeletethe owner sees what the future of Hudson can be, and has invested here to our advantage.
Old original Hudson was built by independent business people with good ideas who built the town in the 19th century. We live in those buildings that they erected and did business in. Thank God the Maker and the other individual investors are here to keep rebuilding the City.
Everyone rich and poor benefits -- the City gets revenue and sales taxes, and the services it provides can be paid for. Hudson was always a haven for all, lets keep it that way.
The Maker not only hires local but outfits it's hotel, restaurant, cafe and bar with furnishings from local stores, has utilized local restorers, refinishers, upholsterers and other crafts people, lighting for example. They have poured tons of their own money into Hudson and revitalized a corner of town which used to be, not too long ago, the worst corner in Hudson. Now it is a place of beauty, both inside and outside and welcomes people as they turn on 3rd and Warren with a beautiful aspect. Bravo Maker.
ReplyDeleteIt's Beautiful and a great addition to Hudson and Lower Warren.
DeleteHudson has two extremes. The Maker who beautifies and attracts and feeds ppl from their own pocket and Galvan who takes government money to live off the poor at the tax free expense of the city.
ReplyDelete"Some have eyes yet cannot see."