New Owners, New Enthusiasm
At Belgrade's Village Inn

"Coming back home to a lake area," is how the new owners of The Village Inn, Charles and Susan Grover, describe their move to Belgrade Lakes. "We wanted a combination of community and people, and we wanted a business that would allow both."

Originally from Pleasant Pond (Charles from the Gardiner side and Susan from the Litchfield side) where they were sweethearts in high school, the Grovers are thrilled with the Inn's fabulous waterside location and its scenic views of the Belgrade Lakes Channel to the east and Long Pond to the west. They also are excited about the nearby Village home that they will soon occupy.

"One of the things we insisted on was we wanted to be in the Village," says Susan. "We really want to become members of the community."

What are their plans for the Inn?

"It's a place of traditions," they both respond. "We're not going to make any big changes." The same menu and the same staff, some who have worked there for years, will continue.

"We have a wonderful staff," states Charles, "young, with lots of high energy."

"They keep us energized," Susan adds.

What they do plan to change is more landscaping and gardens. Susan, who is a master gardener, is already hard at work weeding every day. They plan more interior decorating and promotion of the rooms. Promotion and marketing is Charles' area of expertise. They plan to improve the waterfront areas on both sides of the property. And they are already encouraging lakeside dining.

This season, the Grover's goal is to keep The Village Inn open through the Christmas Stroll -- an event scheduled for December 6 in which the street is lined with luminaires, the businesses hold open house, and the entire town welcomes its many visitors.

They also plan a Thanksgiving Dinner which will feature a special pack-along mini meal for all those who miss picking at the fixings the following day.

One project that everyone can help the new owners with is the "walking history" of pictures, old menus, memorabilia, personal recollections, letters, etc. that they plan to put up around the Inn.

"This Inn is a big part of the town," Susan states. "We want to build a sense of history."