When Ron Ketelson saw Sharon Springs' Roseboro Hotel, he knew it was what he'd been looking for.
After a successful career in human resources in San Jose, California, Mr. Ketelson, a Fabulous Beekman Boys fan-and now friend-started looking for a property to develop in Sharon Springs when a plan to buy a Vermont farm and B&B fell through.
He's now in negotiations to purchase the Roseboro, created at the turn of the century when the Howland House and the Rosenberg merged, from Dennis Giacomo, who with partner Dawn Belloise, renovated and re-opened the long-closed village centerpiece about 20 years ago.
Since its renovations, the Roseboro has housed several restaurants and shops and Mr. Ketelson plans to build and expand on that once he's closed on the building, hopefully in June.
"It's an interesting project," he said, from a seat on the Roseboro's porch.
"We just can't wait to get started. I'm not afraid of hard work. And it probably helps that I'm a little bit crazy."
Mr. Ketelson has already hired Gary O'Connor of Cobleskill as his project manager and is working with Lamont Engineers, also of Cobleskill, on a complete structural assessment of the building.
He's been public about his plans for the building, launching a Facebook page that highlights the Roseboro's historic past along with his plans about six moths ago.
Though Mr. Ketelsen said some have wondered if he's jumping the gun, he said the feedback he's gotten by being so transparent has been invaluable.
"There's so much community support and that's what I'm going to need to make this a success," he said. "This building has a lot of history and people are very interested in seeing it opened again."
Once he takes ownership of the building, Mr. Ketelsen said the first order of business will be to paint the outside.
Then he'll turn his attention to the second floor, where he's already been in contact with almost two dozen vendors interested in opening up shops.
The set-up will be unique, he explained, in that it will be run like a co-op with one central checkout, letting vendors who might not be available everyday to have a shop there.
On the first floor will be a family-style restaurant priced for families and a second building behind the Roseboro will eventually house a restaurant with sandwiches and pizza.
Mr. Ketelson is a longtime collector of Titanic memorabilia and plans to display his collection on the hotel's second floor.
He also has the marketing and distribution rights for Titanic merchandise, which along with his own Roseboro themed items will be sold in another of the building's shops, and is hoping to put up a performance stage in the old ballroom.
The Roseboro's third floor will be renovated for guest rooms and 10 acres across the street will be turned into terraced gardens.
"When people come here, I want it to be an experience," Mr. Ketelson said. "I'm very big on the 'wow' factor. I want them to come back and tell their friends."