After Years of Restoration, The Stockade Inn Reopens with More Developments on the Horizon

August 31, 2024

Updated: August 31, 2024

SCHENECTADY — Nestled in the heart of Schenectady’s Stockade District is a historic stone⁤ building,‍ over three centuries old, adorned with red trim. This‌ building, once the exclusive domain of the men-only Mohawk Club, is now home to The Stockade Inn, ‍a boutique hotel⁣ run by two enterprising women.

Mary Clare O’Connor, the proprietor of Inner Bliss Wellness, was among the first to suggest to developer John Samatulski that he should acquire the property. At the time, O’Connor⁢ was operating her yoga studio from a building Samatulski owned on Erie Boulevard.

“I was swamped with work‍ and told him, ‘There’s no way I’m buying ‌The Stockade Inn,’” Samatulski reminisced.

However, in January⁣ 2020, a fire ravaged the‍ historic building, leaving it in a state of disrepair. ⁣A developer attempted to ‌purchase the ⁢property with the ‌intention of converting it into apartments, but was met with resistance from community members who were keen on preserving‍ its historical significance. With their backing, Samatulski stepped in.

Since finalizing the deal in August of the ⁣same year,‍ Samatulski’s company, Urban Initiatives ‍Group, has been ⁣diligently restoring the hotel. Fourteen out of the 18 rooms have been renovated⁢ and are now accommodating guests ⁣visiting the Electric City, as well as locals looking for a unique‌ “staycation” experience.

“We’ve had numerous guests who ⁤have a historical connection to Schenectady,” he noted.

One such guest requested ⁣a specific room, ⁣sharing that he had studied for his law school exams there. “We’ve also had alumni from Union College, from decades ago, who⁤ are thrilled to return to ‍the Stockade,” added Samatulski.

Following the fire, the inn’s previous owners stripped the interior of the building, selling some parts and leaving the rest to⁣ deteriorate. Consequently, the initial two ⁣years of⁢ UIG’s restoration involved stabilizing the electrical system and repairing the HVAC system. In 2022, they began restoring the bedrooms, with⁣ a soft opening planned for late 2023‌ to test the market.

“We’ve had to exercise patience, knowing that we only have ⁤one chance to get this‍ right,” Samatulski stated.

The inn is gradually working towards offering ⁣full food service, ‍with plans to either open its own restaurant or partner ⁣with ⁤a like-minded‍ entity that shares the same vision for⁢ the inn’s future.

In the interim, a second branch⁢ of Graham’s Coffee Parlor, another woman-owned ⁢business in the city,⁣ is preparing to ⁤open within the inn. Owner ‍Katryn Malen has decorated the space with her signature vibrant ‍colors, including a striking pink espresso⁣ machine.

“It’s ⁢quite satisfying to partner ‌with women like ‌Mary Clare and ‌Katryn, especially⁢ considering that for most of the 20th century, women were ⁢not even ⁤allowed to be members of ‌the Mohawk ⁤Club,” said Samatulski. “At⁣ one point, women were even required to use the side‌ entrance. Now, they ‌are adding distinctive elements‍ to the guest experience at The Stockade Inn.”

Both businesses contribute⁣ to the inn’s core value of wellness. ‌Visitors can enjoy a sound bath in the ‌tranquil upstairs or grab‍ a ‌coffee and a pastry with a friend in the cozy cafe located at the back.

“We’re striving to create a beloved community where people‌ can feel a sense of belonging and comfort in their bodies, ⁤whether they’re participating in the physical practice of yoga, engaging ⁢with the philosophy, or joining our book club,” said O’Connor, who recently celebrated a decade in business.

Besides yoga classes, Inner Bliss ⁣offers reiki healing, energy alignment sessions,‌ massage therapy,⁣ and more.

Malen is excited ⁢about the potential ⁢synergy when the ‌three businesses converge.

“I’m really looking forward to collaborating with Mary Clare,” she said. ⁢“When the inn is fully operational and hosting events, I can offer coffee service at night or whenever needed. ‍I think it’s a fun and creative‍ way⁢ to expand my business.”

Patrons of her original‍ location near Mohawk⁢ Commons will be pleased⁢ to‌ know that the menu will ⁤remain the same. Moreover,‍ all of the shop’s baked goods ‌will now be made on-site in the Stockade location’s kitchen. The cafe is ⁣set to open soon, ‍pending final approval from the health department.

The project has received funding from the Schenectady Metroplex Development Authority and the Schenectady Heritage Foundation. Metroplex provided a $95,000 grant for the restoration of the building’s facade, while the Schenectady Heritage Foundation contributed $25,000 towards the addition of an ADA ⁤compliant wheelchair‍ ramp at the⁣ rear of the ‍building, near the ⁤entrance to Graham’s.

“The foundation was extremely supportive of retaining the existing use of the building. We really didn’t want to see it ‌divided into 23 apartments,” said the foundation’s ‍president, Gloria Kishton.

“The next step‌ we ⁤will be financially supporting is the preservation of the exterior, the restoration of the exterior. We’re very excited about that because‍ there are a ‍couple of ⁢things that really⁤ need attention,” Kishton added. “For instance,‌ the historic windows need to be restored.”

In keeping with its historical⁢ significance, the building will feature in the upcoming season of HBO’s “The Gilded Age.” The historical drama series, set in the late 1800s⁤ and centered around ⁣wealthy New York⁢ families‍ during a major cultural shift,⁣ filmed around the Stockade‍ in August.

“It was a special moment to⁢ witness the history of the building being recognized as worthy ⁢of appearing⁣ in a ⁤show like ‘The Gilded Age,’” said Samatulski.

Before it was the Mohawk Club, the inn served as a school‌ known as the Union Classical Institute. Originally, it was built as a bank on the land where renowned settler Arent Van Curler resided during his time in Schenectady.

For more information on the Stockade Inn⁤ or to book a stay, visit stockadeinn.com.

Emily Stanton

Emily Stanton, a skillful journalist previously based in Boston, is adept at covering a diverse array of stories. Her thorough and engaging reporting style, honed with a Master's in Journalism from Boston University, focuses on community-relevant stories.