Our Story
In the spring of 2021, owners Jason Seiler and Reid Kendall discovered and purchased a roadside motor lodge perfectly situated in the foothills of the Berkshires in beautiful Columbia County, New York. To their delight, the tiny lodge contained an intimate restaurant and bar that had been dormant for many years. Recognizing the potential, they immediately got to work on the renovation to transform the 12 guestrooms and 30-seat restaurant into a modern and thoughtfully curated guest experience. They decided to name the lodge The Alander after the Alander mountain, of which the property faces. With a bunch of elbow grease, determination and plenty of help from friends and colleagues, they brought their dream to life, finishing the guestrooms in the summer of 2022 and the adjoining restaurant in February of 2023 - and the outpouring of love and community support has been staggering.
Along the way, Jason and Reid have had the honor of bringing aboard some of the area’s brightest and most dedicated industry professionals, and their gratitude to this little family is endless. The North Star team has a love and committed persistence to delivering quality food & beverage with authentically friendly and attentive service. We thank the community for the continued patronage and look forward to the opportunity to have YOU as our guest!
For more information on The Alander, visit our website at: www.thealander.com
Robert Kelleher
Executive Chef
Born and raised in Houma, Louisiana, just an hour south of New Orleans, Robert was exposed to the power of food at a very young age. Some of his earliest memories involving food include standing on a stool to help his mother peel shrimp or helping any way he could for the family crawfish boils. After working in a few restaurants, Robert knew he had found his passion.
Since graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in 2014, Robert has worked in some of the top restaurants in New Orleans, Philadelphia, and the Hudson Valley. His philosophy on food is very straightforward: It must be delicious and keep it simple. When he’s not in the kitchen, he enjoys traveling and spending time with his fiancé and two adorable pups.
Melaney Wolf
Bar Manager
Melaney brings 26 years of restaurant industry experience as a server, bartender and manager all over the country from Seattle, Baltimore and New York City. Most recently from Brooklyn, she made the move to Copake to join her long-time friends Jason & Reid, developing and leading North Star’s bar program. Melaney is also a yoga, meditation and mindfulness teacher and is the dog-mom to two crazy pups.
Ann Adams
General Manager
A long time Copake resident, Ann was born in the Bronx and grew up in nearby Dutchess County, New York. After many years working in the area restaurant scene, Ann comes to North Star with a passion for hospitality and providing an unforgettable guest experience. In her free time, Ann enjoys live music, painting, and spending time with family.
Reid Kendall & Jason Seiler
Owners
Midwest-born and raised, Jason and Reid are longtime veterans of the travel and hospitality industries. Jason has enjoyed a long career in the airline industry, logging over 20 years and countless destinations both domestically and around the world. He has an eye for design and has taken the lead on the overall look and style of the lodge. Reid comes from a background in restaurants and hotels, serving as director and general manager for numerous food and beverage operations in top boutique hotels in New York City and Seattle. They are insatiable foodies and have traveled to over 30 countries, eating their way through 5 continents together. They are also the adoring humans of a Brussels Griffon pup, Presley.
Presley
Office Manager & HR Director
At just 2 years old, Presely’s managerial accomplishments are simply impressive. With a natural instinct to be the boss, he runs a tight ship for North Star’s administrative operations, ensuring frequent cuddles are available at all times and that the office is always stocked with the essentials: toys and snacks. When he’s not grinding away at the office, he enjoys long walks at Roeliff Jansen Park and smelling everything.
North Star would like to thank our talented and generous creative contributors.
-
Joseph Stabalito
RESTAURANT PAINTINGS
-
Leadhead Glass
TABLETOP TERRARIUMS
-
Christopher Gagliardi Photography
PHOTOGRAPHY
