NEVERSINK - Forty to 50 new jobs, millions of dollars of investment and an added attraction to Sullivan County's growing and vibrant tourist industry.

That will be the result of last Wednesday's $3.2 million purchase of the former New Age Health Spa in Neversink by Foster Supply Hospitality owners Sims and Kirsten Harlow Foster.

“The resort is a great platform for us to build on,” Sims, who already operates half a dozen high-end restaurant and vacation properties across Sullivan County, said. “Health spas are the fastest growing segment of the luxury travel industry during the last 10 years.”

And the Fosters' vision for the former high-end resort is clear - “to create an experience, not just a room.”

The wellness resort - which will be renamed and rebranded - includes 230 pristine acres complete with a trail system, eight buildings, an indoor pool and hot tub, and a yoga studio.

“The 36-room resort will be able to accommodate 72 guests, double occupancy,” Sims said. “It all is in need of updating.”

Sims said the property “couldn't be more perfect” for what his and Kirsten's company is trying to accomplish.

“People are looking for the experience over the product,” he said. “In wellness, superior service is important.

“With 30,000 square feet [of buildings] it's an intensive project which I think our construction team can finish in a year,” Sims said. “We'd love to be open by New Year's Eve, 2021… Don't start the New Year with champagne, start it with wellness.”

With 14 treatment rooms planned, Sims said he expected the resort would employ between 15 to 20 therapists.

He said the total employment number of 40-50 staff is high due to the high level of service required at a health spa.

“It's a major investment. It will be the minimum size for future projects,” Sims said. “It's our biggest investment to date. We're betting the house.”

Joe Freda, Associate Broker with Matthew J. Freda Real Estate, represented the Fosters in the purchase of the former New Age Health Spa.

“Kirsten and Sims Foster have a proven track record of bringing jobs and travel destinations to Sullivan County,” Freda said. “This is grounded in having local roots combined with broad-world work experience, and a tuned-in vision for our future. Look no further than the successes of The Arnold House, The North Branch Inn, The DeBruce, Kenoza Hall, Nine River Road, Piccolo Paese, and more.

“The rejuvenation of the New Age Health Spa is an exciting expansion of Sullivan County hospitality destinations,” Freda said. “The Fosters do everything first class, and their vision of a health-based vacation facility will bring county tourism to a new level.”

Foster Supply

Foster Supply has become synonymous with fine dining and quality accommodations in the Sullivan Catskills. Its offerings on the restaurant side include The North Branch Inn, Kenoza Hall, Piccolo Paese, The Arnold House, The DeBruce, and The Cabin at Hessinger-Lare.

Rooms are available at The Arnold House, The North Branch Inn, Nine River Road, The Debruce and Kenoza Hall.

Sims said he was unsure of what the future held back in March when the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in New York. But he said, “It looks like we are OK, we are really grateful” to the many visitors and year-round residents who frequented their properties.

Sims and Kirsten also founded a A Single Bite in March of this year to help feed local families seriously at risk for hunger. Since March, Foster Hospitality and A Single Bite has provided more than 50,000 meal servings to its neighbors.

History

The New Age Health Spa, which was once owned by Stephanie Paradise, closed down regular operations in 2011, though it did host some yoga classes on the property.

In December, 2014, a company from South Williamsburg, Brooklyn, named Bedford, LLC, purchased the rural property for $1.7 million.

“Bedford, LLC has owned the property for the past six years and tried to run a camp, unsuccessfully,” according to Steve Strauss, who represented Bedford LLC as their Real Estate representative during the sale.

Strauss said that during the past two months, there had been renewed interest in the property, including a Korean Church Group out of Flushing. But Strauss said he felt that Foster Supply would be the perfect owner for the new property, especially since it is already zoned correctly for a health spa.