EMERGING ENTREPRENEURS

Agua Zen, a place to just hang

	TRR photo by Charlie Buterbaugh Gary Nelson, owner of Agua Zen, a new inn with adjacent stables in Jeffersonville, NY, hopes to create an environment where visitors can enjoy a variety of treatments such as massage and reiki, find goods produced by Sullivan County craftsmen and just “hang.” (Click for larger image)

By CHARLIE BUTERBAUGH

JEFFERSONVILLE, NY — Gary Nelson and his partner, Steven Clark have put a lot of work into the 1830’s farmhouse they bought last year on Swiss Hill North Road. Suffice it to say they excavated five layers of old carpet and linoleum to uncover the hardwood floors, textured by age and use.

That sort of texture is exactly what they will use to set the stage at their new inn, Agua Zen, where they hope people will find balance in the tradition of Zen.

“Zen is about balance and finding beauty in imperfection. We live in a culture that often tells people they are not enough. This is an imperfect place, and I hope people will learn to embrace it,” Nelson said, sitting in front of a large living room window.

He has created a roughly hewn feel in the house not only by resurrecting the floors, ceilings and walls, hidden from sight by previous owners. He has also brought natural elements inside, such as rocks and wooden sculpture by local artists, and healthy bamboo plants and orchids decorate the tables.

Nelson has worked closely with designers such as Donna Karan and Catherine Malandrino, and the inn is a perfect medium for him to create a place where people will want to stay.

Private rooms on three floors will provide space for at least 15 overnight guests, and another guesthouse is undergoing renovation. Nelson is still patient about moving into that phase. For now, he will continue to invite friends to test the experience Agua Zen provides, “to work out the kinks,” he said.

He invited a group to stay for the July 4th weekend. “They loved the property, the animals and nearby Jeffersonville. I feel like I succeeded because everyone said they felt like they could just hang,” Nelson said. The group enjoyed a yoga session with the Yoga Barn instructor Zintas on the spacious deck by the pool.

Agua Zen can board up to 25 horses. Sue Fehsal, whom Nelson calls the horse whisperer, and Sullivan County farrier Bill Wegman will manage the stables, though Nelson also has a passion for animals. He will eventually offer riding to guests, though he refuses to create a situation where horses are continuously carrying people into the hills. The large, 12 by 12 foot stalls in the stable have been refinished with new sand.

Nelson said he is committed to finding ways to support what local people are doing. His neighbors, Dave and Robin, are farmers who work from sunrise to sunset, and Nelson said he respects that kind of authenticity no end.

He told a story about the Christmas snowstorm of 2002, when he was supposed to visit some friends but was stranded at home. Dave rode over on his tractor to check on Nelson, found out about his situation, and in less than an hour was back with a full holiday dinner prepared by his wife, Robin.

Nelson wants to create a place where local artisans and farmers can sell their goods, and a storefront close to the road will provide the perfect venue. His interest in locally produced goods reflects his theme of authenticity.

“I want to be able to look at something and see that a human hand touched it,” he said.