When Michael Moy and Joe Sniado visited a vacant Catskill, N.Y. mechanic’s garage last summer, they saw an opportunity.

A realtor friend encouraged them to consider its potential.

“It was filthy, bright blue and boarded up,” Mike told us recently.

It looked like a movie set, if you wanted something to look really bad. You couldn’t have art directed it better.

“Joe and I saw the potential in restoring the façade’s large windows facing Main Street, and, in the unique sawtooth roof — with its 100 panes of glass which flood the space with light.”

The couple purchased the property and this June hosted an opening party for the event space they’ve renamed: Joe’s Garage Catskill.

 The lure of Catskill, N.Y.

Mike, a former partner and creative director of a Manhattan design firm, and Sniado, who recently retired from a career in finance, had become fond of Catskill, N.Y. over the years — often drawn to the Village for social events.

“I always looked at Catskill, N.Y. as the under-appreciated younger sister of Hudson.

“Hudson gets so much buzz and the real estate has gone crazy,” he says.

“Catskill, N.Y. is such a charming town. There’s a vibrancy on the streets, a lot of artists are moving in.

“Lumberyard is such a well-oiled machine.

“Your Groundbreaking Celebration was done so well. Being in Manhattan, we always supported dance. Now we can do that here too.”

Looking ahead

They are grateful to be opening a business in a town others have already spent years cultivating, Mike says.

“This is the second part of Catskill, N.Y.’s Renaissance. A lot of groundwork has been set. Those who have contributed deserve recognition for being the pioneers.

“We’re building on the efforts of some very visionary people who have worked incredibly hard to make what we have done feasible. I fully recognize their contribution to the area.

“We’ve been fortunate to be doing what we are doing at a time when there is increased activity in Catskill, N.Y.”

The Main Street building has already booked an August event, Greene County Council on the Arts’ benefit fashion show.

This fall, they will host a Hudson Valley Dance Festival party. Location scouts and photographers have expressed interest too.