New Operator for the Lodge?

Dad207 · 06-28-2023, 08:34 PM

I was in a bar today and heard that the Lodge property in West Alton had been sold to a new operator-- California family looking to re-establish roots here.

True, or just bar talk? Would love to see that spot open and thriving.

Descant · 06-28-2023, 09:50 PM

I would love to see the William Tell open again.

ishoot308 · 06-28-2023, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

I would love to see the William Tell open again.

Amen to that! Really miss that place!

Dan

smith point boater · 06-29-2023, 06:45 AM

At this point just bar talk. You must have been there when I was

BrownstoneNorth · 06-29-2023, 07:41 PM

The Lodge is still listed on several real estate sites, e.g., Coldwell, as “Active.” But could be in negotiations and, if so, let's hope we can look forward to it re-opening as restaurant.

https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/.../pid_45181772/

Slickcraft · 06-30-2023, 11:21 AM

There has been a carpenter's work van there several times recently. However, no substantial activity.

Alan

Dad207 · 06-30-2023, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slickcraft

There has been a carpenter's work van there several times recently. However, no substantial activity.

Alan

Saw that, thanks, was wondering about the significance of that.

pjard · 07-01-2023, 04:08 AM

I overheard a converstaion last night....The place had some kind of plumbing issue which caused lots of damage. That's the work you see being done.

Loventhelake · 07-01-2023, 07:26 PM

Sign still says “available “ 🤔

codeman671 · 07-01-2023, 07:51 PM

A friend in the area is an agent and keeps pushing the Lodge property on me. I’m looking for some investment property in the area. I don’t think based on our conversations there is anything in the works for it.

bellamaria · 07-02-2023, 02:42 PM

Drive by four days a week for work and have also seen the carpenter van out front. Local guy, can’t recall the name off hand but I’ve seen the van not far up toward the town line too. It would be great to have that place available as a restaurant again, it’s such a perfect halfway point between the bay and Ellacoya! Didn’t get to go when it was Smith Point, but I remember it was good as Woodland Tavern.

gravy boat · 07-10-2023, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Descant

I would love to see the William Tell open again.

….

I do believe every thread over the years about any new owners of this property includes someone - or multiple people - pining for the William Tell. Some tried the new restaurant at the time and commented something to the tune of “It was good but…it isn’t the Tell.” No, it wasn’t the Tell. Nor will it ever be the Tell again.

Don’t get me wrong - I loved the Tell. I was the FIRST employee they hired. And I worked there for years during summer and even had my wedding there in 2004 upstairs. Peter and Susie were awesome. And I still see Rene on occasion, who Susie was carrying in the early days. It was indeed one of the best ever in the Lakes Region…and for a long time.

My only complaint was that Peter and Susie retired and took that salad dressing recipe with them. I tried to find out the recipe, but few were told. The dressing was epic.

We loved The Lodge. Loved it.

Whoever buys the property and opens a dining establishment I wish them well and look forward to trying it.

Susan

Johnston’smobilemarine · 04-27-2025, 09:05 PM

The sign on the property now says “public auction “ too bad someone can’t make a go of this place!

Dad207 · 04-28-2025, 07:32 PM

I was fan of the Lodge, and very sorry to see it go; certainly reflects the difficulties COVID forced upon small businesses, particularly restaurants, as well as challenges of running a full-service restaurant, year-round, in the Lakes region.

It wil be interesting to see if the buyer is a restauranteur with a better idea, or a developer with mind to convert it to another commercial use, or tear it down for lot and land value. i suppose that gavel price will be the determinator.

Mr. V · 04-29-2025, 12:50 PM

I'm a bit surprised someone hasn't bought it and tried to recreate the dining experience that was long the norm at the Tell.

A savvy operator would contact the former owners and buy their recipes then seek to recreate again what was once so popular.

How hard would it be?

Dad207 · Yesterday, 04:32 PM

"The sign on the property now says “public auction “ too bad someone can’t make a go of this place"

Anyone hear what happened at the auction?

06-28-2023, 08:34 PM	#1
Dad207 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Now residing in Echo Shores, Alton NH, originally from Baltimore MD. Posts: 113 Thanks: 193 Thanked 63 Times in 30 Posts	New Operator for the Lodge? I was in a bar today and heard that the Lodge property in West Alton had been sold to a new operator-- California family looking to re-establish roots here. True, or just bar talk? Would love to see that spot open and thriving.

06-29-2023, 07:41 PM	#5
BrownstoneNorth Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 212 Thanks: 110 Thanked 131 Times in 71 Posts	Apparently not yet actually sold The Lodge is still listed on several real estate sites, e.g., Coldwell, as “Active.” But could be in negotiations and, if so, let's hope we can look forward to it re-opening as restaurant. https://www.coldwellbankerhomes.com/.../pid_45181772/

04-28-2025, 07:32 PM	#14
Dad207 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Now residing in Echo Shores, Alton NH, originally from Baltimore MD. Posts: 113 Thanks: 193 Thanked 63 Times in 30 Posts	The lodge Auction I was fan of the Lodge, and very sorry to see it go; certainly reflects the difficulties COVID forced upon small businesses, particularly restaurants, as well as challenges of running a full-service restaurant, year-round, in the Lakes region. It wil be interesting to see if the buyer is a restauranteur with a better idea, or a developer with mind to convert it to another commercial use, or tear it down for lot and land value. i suppose that gavel price will be the determinator.

04-29-2025, 12:50 PM	#15
Mr. V Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: the left coast (Portland)and West Alton Posts: 1,395 Thanks: 63 Thanked 256 Times in 174 Posts	I'm a bit surprised someone hasn't bought it and tried to recreate the dining experience that was long the norm at the Tell. A savvy operator would contact the former owners and buy their recipes then seek to recreate again what was once so popular. How hard would it be? __________________ basking in the benign indifference of the universe

Yesterday, 04:32 PM	#16
Dad207 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Now residing in Echo Shores, Alton NH, originally from Baltimore MD. Posts: 113 Thanks: 193 Thanked 63 Times in 30 Posts	Auction Result? "The sign on the property now says “public auction “ too bad someone can’t make a go of this place" Anyone hear what happened at the auction?

06-28-2023, 09:50 PM	#2
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,357 Thanks: 1,344 Thanked 1,623 Times in 1,055 Posts	I would love to see the William Tell open again.

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06-29-2023, 06:45 AM	#4
smith point boater Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: West Alton,NH Posts: 210 Thanks: 336 Thanked 95 Times in 54 Posts	At this point just bar talk. You must have been there when I was

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06-30-2023, 11:21 AM	#6
Slickcraft Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Welch Island and The Taylor Community Posts: 3,301 Thanks: 1,222 Thanked 2,088 Times in 955 Posts	There has been a carpenter's work van there several times recently. However, no substantial activity. Alan

07-01-2023, 04:08 AM	#8
pjard Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Gilford, NH Posts: 636 Thanks: 493 Thanked 194 Times in 101 Posts	I overheard a converstaion last night....The place had some kind of plumbing issue which caused lots of damage. That's the work you see being done.

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07-01-2023, 07:26 PM	#9
Loventhelake Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2021 Posts: 58 Thanks: 3 Thanked 12 Times in 11 Posts	Sign still says “available “ 🤔

07-01-2023, 07:51 PM	#10
codeman671 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 3,495 Thanks: 221 Thanked 812 Times in 488 Posts	A friend in the area is an agent and keeps pushing the Lodge property on me. I’m looking for some investment property in the area. I don’t think based on our conversations there is anything in the works for it.

07-02-2023, 02:42 PM	#11
bellamaria Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2022 Posts: 17 Thanks: 7 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Drive by four days a week for work and have also seen the carpenter van out front. Local guy, can’t recall the name off hand but I’ve seen the van not far up toward the town line too. It would be great to have that place available as a restaurant again, it’s such a perfect halfway point between the bay and Ellacoya! Didn’t get to go when it was Smith Point, but I remember it was good as Woodland Tavern.

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04-27-2025, 09:05 PM	#13
Johnston’smobilemarine Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2024 Posts: 11 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 5 Posts	The sign on the property now says “public auction “ too bad someone can’t make a go of this place!

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