Business of the Week: The Mansion at Colonial Terrace in Cortlandt Manor

The Mansion at Colonial Terrace is so much more than the traditional catering hall. The family-run business is a staple of the community and the Drogy family takes that responsibility very seriously, both within their 10-acre estate and in the outside world.

“The Mansion is one of the oldest established businesses in Northern Westchester,” said Leon Drogy, a third-generation family member who serves as vice president and director of catering at The Mansion. “We are not a major chain or group; being a family-owned and operated business comes with greater personal accountability and accessibility.” The family and staff are able to make quick decisions, and respond to clients’ questions and needs in a very timely fashion.

“Our team of experts have both mainstream and boutique hospitality experience,” Drogy, who himself was the director of catering and operations at the New York City restaurants Tavern on the Green and the Russian Tea Room, added.  “We will help guide you through every step of your function to ensure it runs smoothly from start to finish – be it a corporate function, business meeting, wedding, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, anniversary celebration or prom.  Our unsurpassed, personal service and custom menus will enhance the magic of your important event.”

Drogy’s grandparents, Oscar and Lillian Levitz, purchased the estate in 1945 and operated a resort that offered guests from the tri-state area fine food, lodging, and entertainment during weekends, holidays, and vacations. It offered a large day camp that became part of the tradition for the local community.

When Drogy’s parents Alan and Shelia took over the business in the 1960s, northern Westchester was becoming more of a four season residence and commuting area and The Mansion became a full year event location.  Its ballrooms were updated to meet the current trends of the era, and eventually the hotel business was abandoned and it became a modern social catering hall.

Today The Mansion, located at 119 Oregon Road in Cortlandt Manor, is able to accommodate formal receptions, corporate meetings and events of all sizes – ranging from 20 people all the way up to 700 people.  “We are also amongst the largest facilities in the area,” Drogy said.

In addition to services offered as a catering hall, the Drogy family is now offering The Mansion as a conference center. “With the population growth, more businesses were locating themselves further north in Northern Westchester, Putnam and Dutchess counties,” Drogy said. “We wanted to take advantage of this influx of business and decided a unique conference center in northern Westchester was needed.”

The same devotion the family has given toward the quality of service at The Mansion they give to the community.  They are giving of their time, energy and resources to a variety of business and social endeavors.

Sheila Drogy is very active on the board of directors and foundation board of the Hudson Valley Hospital Center, local religious organizations, and the many non-for profit associations she volunteers for.

Alan Drogy is member of The Business Council of Westchester, the New York and Westchester restaurant associations and is also involved with a number of other local business associations and chambers of commerce.

Leon Drogy serves on the board of directors of the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce, and the Friends of Jaclyn Foundation. Additionally, he is very active in the Hudson Valley Gateway Chamber of Commerce, The Business Council of Westchester, Support Connection, Thomas Fitzgerald Memorial Foundation, Cortland Rotary club, the J.I.M.M.Y Foundation and many other local associations.

In February, the Yorktown Chamber of Commerce honored Drogy with its prestigious chairman’s award that was presented by Chamber Chairman Aaron Bock.  The award is given out annually to someone who showcases leadership, community service, going above and beyond the call of duty, and a willingness to help whenever help is needed.

The family will be opening up The Mansion estate from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 21 when it hosts a Family Fun Festival. All the proceeds from the event will benefit the Alliance for Safe Kids (ASK) organization. The festival will feature inflatables, costumed characters, a teen nightclub, arts and crafts, contests and games, tons of great food and more. It is sure to entertain and delight families and kids of all ages. Pre-registered admission is $10 per person (walk-ins are $15), which includes most attractions, activities and food.

For more info about the festival or to register call ASK at (914) 736-1450 or visit:  http://familyfunfestival.eventbrite.com.

Visit The Mansion’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/themansionatcolonialterrace or call 914-737-0400 for more information about the venue.