Boheme Retreats: A Nostalgic Camping Experience Coming To Columbia County
As Hillsdale, New York grows in popularity and esteem as one of Columbia County’s most interesting little towns, more and more unique businesses are popping up that take advantage of the metropolitan draw of the rural community.
Keva Niver felt the vibe in Hillsdale was perfect for her new quirky endeavor, Boheme Retreats. Niver and her husband Rudell Felcien are closing soon on a purchase of 15 acres of land off Route 22 on the North Hillsdale/Austerlitz border where they want to set a small fleet of renovated vintage campers and a couple of “glamping” tents next to a clear, one-acre pond. While it is early days for the project it has received local zoning board approval. With the couple’s own camper as a charming proof of concept, Boheme looks to be set up for success.
“We’re looking to have models like the Kenskill, Terry, Aristocrat, and Argosy (from the 60s and 70s),” Niver said. “Many people are familiar with the Airstreams but we are looking to introduce campers to a wide range of vintage campers that they aren't necessarily accustomed to seeing.”
Eventually, the site will have 14 campers but the plan is currently to have a half dozen or so renovated and ready for guests this upcoming summer. Boheme is also currently looking to supplement the project’s cost with crowdfunding through a Mainvest.com campaign.
Niver said that while crowdsourcing won't be the only funding for the endeavor, they hope that creating an investor group in the unique project will lead to a foundational community for the campsite. Investors will receive benefits like reduced rates and, of course, an eventual return. Through the pandemic, Niver saw campsites packed to capacity as vacationers looked for safe outdoor alternatives. So while they look to draw guests through their uncommon aesthetic, there is also a market demand that should reassure investor reservations.
The campsite will be a standout for many reasons, not the least of which is that it will also be the only Black-owned campsite in the state of New York. An avid camper for many years, Niver acknowledges the importance of promoting diversity in the pastime she loves but is primarily focused on creating a beautiful and fun getaway.
“For me, Hillsdale was everything I wanted to find in a town,” Niver said. “A ton of people have moved up from Brooklyn. There’s a cool art scene and a lot to do nearby.”
An interior design and renovation professional currently living in Brooklyn, Niver grew up in Florida. A year after she moved to New York in 2006 she took up surfing with a group in Far Rockaway. She had always wanted to try it and quickly fell in love with the sport. It was through the friendships she made on the beach that she got into tent camping. Two years ago she bought and did a full gut renovation of her vintage camper with the help of Felcian, her “heavy lifter” and “sidekick.”
When Niver wasn’t off on her own adventures she rented the camper out through AirBnB, but the logistics of delivering it to people became a drag. That was when the idea of doing her own campsite began to percolate. A friend introduced her to Hillsdale and it seemed the perfect fit.
Niver currently works for Brooklyn Solar Works and intends to run the campsite’s power off a sustainable solar grid. There are plans for boating and paddleboarding on the pond as well. Niver also sees the site as a great base for people who want to explore Hillsdale and the rest of the region during the day and come back to the most unique lodging experience around.
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