LONG EDDY – The owners of the Long Eddy Hotel and Saloon have new plans for the former wooden keepsake store, Tree by Kerri-Lee.

The store, which is planned to be called the Long Eddy Country Store, is situated on 1 Depot Street on the corner of Depot and Route 97. The building neighbors the Long Eddy Hotel. 

Formerly owned by the Sensiba family for over two decades, the establishment boasted a collection of designer products crafted by Kerri-Lee Sensiba.

“When it went up for sale, we thought it would be a good idea to buy it,” said Deborah Kazmark Sherman, one of the owners of the Long Eddy Hotel. “It can make the town a whole lot better.”

According to Deborah, the building once served as a general store. Based on Deborah’s vision, she and her husband Fred have set their sights on transforming the building into a versatile mixed-use space. Alongside offering breakfast options, the space is also expected to house a small general store to cater to the diverse needs of their customers. 

Additionally, there are plans in place to allocate a portion of the area for an arts and crafts section, adding another unique element to the establishment.

The new owners hope to open the space back up sometime in February.

Tree by Kerri-Lee

Kerri-Lee Sensiba began her journey as a designer of home accessories from her kitchen table many years ago. Utilizing her creativity and passion for crafting, she dedicated long hours into perfecting her products late into the night. These unique and meticulously crafted items were then showcased at various local craft fairs.

As word spread of Kerri’s exceptional woodwork, she was invited to display her craftsmanship at prestigious trade shows. The quality and originality of her work quickly captured the attention of store buyers and even garnered national press coverage. This recognition solidified Kerri’s position as a reputable and talented designer in the industry.

The inspiration behind the company’s name, Tree, stemmed from their commitment to using sustainably sourced wood for their highly sought-after keepsakes.

Some of the products offered included nursery décor, such as small wooden clocks, as well as wooden music boxes.

“We are very happy that Fred and Debbie now own this property. They were great neighbors and are always looking out for the best interest of the local community,” said Shaun Sensiba, Kerri-Lee’s husband and one of the owners of Tree. 

“We know that whatever they do, it will be with the intent of providing services for the local area. We wish them the best of luck!”