Duck Crap Drives Customers Away From Bethel Business

The owners of the Catskill Distilling Company and Dancing Cat Saloon in Bethel say customers are being driven away from their establishments  and there's a nasty reason why.

So, what is it that's apparently driving customers away?

Manure. Specifically, the smell of duck manure and eggshells. This has brought swarms of flies to area, according to the owners.

Stacy Cohen, who co-owns the two establishments with her husband, Dr. Monte Sachs, says the stench coming from the neighboring Hofstee Farm is harming her business. Cohen claims it almost forced her to close the restaurant and distillery on Thursday.

Cohen says there was never an issue with the nearby farm owners during their first five years in business. The problem with the foul odor is something that has only been happening since this July.

The farm owner, Peter Hofstee, responded to the claims. Hofstee says he hasn’t changed his farming practices in the last 50 years. Hofstee also denied leaving the piles of manure seen along the property line dividing the farm and the distillery.

However, Thomas O’Laughlin, who owns the Bethel Market Cafe across the street from the farm, says he also noticed a change in the smell this summer. He even compared the smell to that of a dead animal.

Cohen says she contacted the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, as well as the NY State DEC, but neither could help.

Now, Cohen is turning to the Town of Bethel for help. Bethel Supervisor Dan Sturm says the town can only do one thing: offer a mediation session between the distillery and the farm before a committee of three community members appointed by the Town Board.

However, both parties refused to participate, Sturm says.