Pictured is the White Inn at 52 Main St., Fredonia.

Local business leader Steve St. George, owner of St. George Enterprises, Inc., has officially announced that he, along with restaurant partner Devin Jones, intend to purchase the historic White Inn in downtown Fredonia from New Jersey-based JG Funding Corp. for an undisclosed amount. According to St. George and Jones, the iconic structure will be returned to its original splendor as a hotel, restaurant, bar, and events space.

Empire State Development recently awarded a grant in the amount of $519,448 to aid in the acquisition and redevelopment of the historic Inn.

Officials with the Chautauqua County Department of Planning & Development and the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency said they were pleased to provide support in development of the grant application and worked with state officials to advocate for the project. The county IDA will continue to offer support and assistance in obtaining other loans, grants, and incentives to make the project financially viable.

“We have been working behind the scenes for the better part of four years to help catalyze a positive outcome for the Inn,” said Mark Geise, county IDA CEO and Deputy County Executive for Economic Development. “After several stalled attempts by other interested parties, I feel confident that Mr. St. George’s efforts will prove successful. Steve doesn’t do anything half way.”

The White family built the home that serves as the core of the Inn in 1868. It was expanded, converted, and opened to guests in 1920. Entering its second century, many original architectural details have been preserved throughout the hotel including tin ceilings, numerous fireplaces, cornices, and wainscoting. The 24 fully furnished guest rooms and suites are filled with a variety of antiques such as four-poster beds, iron beds, and armoires. A large dining room, banquet room, lounge, and expansive kitchen area on the first floor are designed to facilitate food service for large numbers of guests.

While the facility is showing the effects of sitting vacant for several years, St. George conducted extensive due diligence to ascertain what it needs and what it will take to bring it back to life, and is prepared to fully restore it to its original splendor.