Cochecton Center is alive and kicking

Posted 8/21/12

Nick and Laura Santana from Woodbury, Long Island. have put their heart and soul into the renovation of Heinle’s General Store, getting it back open and available to the public after it sat empty …

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Cochecton Center is alive and kicking

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Nick and Laura Santana from Woodbury, Long Island. have put their heart and soul into the renovation of Heinle’s General Store, getting it back open and available to the public after it sat empty for a number of years.

Today, when you walk into the store, the first thing you see are the original front door, floors, ceiling, columns and the original Heinle’s sign. In the future the upstairs will be a catering hall. The doors on the coatroom are the old doors from the apartment that used to be there. The Santanas are looking to have the facility available to the community for weddings, birthday parties and community events. Their hopes and dreams are to have a memorial wall, and they are starting out the wall with a picture of the original Heinle’s, circa 1892.

When Nick was showing this reporter around, he pointed out everything that was put into the renovation. “I spared no expense. I wanted to do it right the first time. I want good quality.” One of the examples was the cherry marble floor that was installed by the bar area. Nick and Laura are thankful to the contractor, Clark Kelly, who did the carpentry work, which the Santanas consider to be “amazing.”

Heinle’s has two-zone air conditioning, as well as a 100 kW generator, so when the power goes out their freezers and refrigerators will still operate, and there will always be gas and diesel fuel available in Cochecton Center.

The Santanas installed radiant-heat sidewalks and oversized bathrooms, fully handicapped accessible. Laura said they take cleanliness very seriously. There is also a suggestion box. “We want to get feedback from the community. We want our customers to be happy,” she said.

Heinle’s has a Boar’s Head deli where they sell subs and sandwiches, homemade food, fresh baked goods, beer and soda, and groceries. The side entrance near the ice cream polar has a bleacher for the kids to sit and enjoy ice cream after their ballgames. The flower garden is in bloom. The outside patio is still being worked on.

The Santanas were the developers of the Narrowsburg Mews, having purchased and completely renovated the old Lion’s Den. Now, 13 years later, the mews has helped bring Main Street in Narrowsburg alive with business. Heinle’s General Store is now their dream for Cochecton Center.

Nick and Laura’s son Nick and his friend Matt Romano are running the store. The hours are Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The phone number is 845/252-DELI (3354).

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