From churches to industrial buildings, 'non-traditional' venues are shaping Poughkeepsie

On a residential street in the city of Poughkeepsie, a few blocks from Main Street, St. John the Baptist Church sits vacant.

But later this year, the red brick church with its cavernous interior may open its doors to host wedding, birthdays, performances and community gatherings.

Just a few blocks away from the church, a once celebrated food hall is "pivoting" its space to be used by artists and organizations. The Academy's new event space, on the first floor, would be in addition to its weddings venue housed on its second floor.

The venue is also located in close proximity to other well-known spaces including Revel 32, The Poughkeepsie Grand Hotel and The Bardavon.

"I would not shy away from saying that my phone blew up that day with everybody (asking), 'Can two businesses so similar yards away from each other succeed?'" said Gina Sullivan, co-owner of Revel 32.

Sullivan and her husband purchased the Masonic Temple that would become Revel 32 in 2019.

"I think we strike a different market than they do," Sullivan said. Private event bookings, which have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, will usually come from guests who attend their public events like live music and dance nights, and most of those guests are over 30.

The downtown area of city of Poughkeepsie is sluggishly making its way from empty storefronts to a bustling Main Street with boutique shops and restaurants. Businesses here depend on attractions such as the picturesque Hudson River and Metro-North train station to bring crowds up from New York City.

However, a lack of parking, crime concerns and a growing homeless population have posed challenges to small businesses trying to keep doors open.

"I wouldn't have an event here or let my (daughter) live next door if it wasn't safe," Sullivan said. Her family also owns other properties on the street.

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While many wedding and event planners who specialize in the Hudson Valley say their clients do not seek out venues in the city, those who do are either local or looking for a venue accessible to a hotel.

"The Hudson Valley is a wedding/event destination area and I think Poughkeepsie is establishing itself to be a prime location within the area with all the unique and non-traditional event spaces popping up, especially considering it’s halfway between Albany and NYC" said Bianca Hendricks, owner of the RSVP by B.

Hendricks said most of her clients live in the New York City area. "I do believe as more of these venues pop up, it will only generate more business for everyone, as couples are looking to create a weekend experience for their guests."

Making event space affordable

The church on Grand Street, built in 1866, was the first church built in the city of Poughkeepsie after the Civil War. The space had been been vacant, the floors deteriorating and the pipe organ on the balcony out of commission when Eric Anderson started working to redevelop the building.

"I see this space as being a place where lots of different things could happen," said Anderson. He hopes the wedding bookings, large financial drivers for event venues, will help make the space affordable for community events like father-daughter dances or yoga classes.

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Besides its history, what will make the church event space successful, according to its developer, is that it would also offer housing to traveling performance groups and wedding parties in the form of the rectory building next door.

The church will keep most of its historic appearance — a refurbished pipe organ, authentic window trimmings and pews to be used for seating.

The Academy adopts new business model

The Academy, originally called The Hive, was introduced in 2019 as a place to "live, work and play on the same block" that would revitalize downtown area.

The $13 million collaboration between R. L. Baxter Building Corporation and MASS Design Group aimed to redevelop two buildings on Academy Street, turning them into a food market, food hall, co-working space and affordable housing.

Since then, the name changed, the market never opened and MASS Design Group left the project. Now the concept is changing once again. The proposed food hall will instead become an event space.

"They gave the (food hall) a run and determined having private events and community events was a much better model," stated Josh Sommers, spokesperson for The Academy. He would not comment on why the food hall model did not work.

The project was awarded a $1.2 million grant from New York's Consolidated Funding Applications. The funding has not been received yet and as of Tuesday, was said to be under review to see if it still fits its requirements.

Saba Ali: Sali1@poughkeepsiejournal.com: 845-451-4518: @MsSabaAli.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: In Poughkeepsie, 'non-traditional' event venues shape downtown revival