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Pair of white knights rescue inn

OBSERVER Photo The White Inn in Fredonia has been closed since December 2017.

Neglect was setting in quickly last spring at the historic, but desolate, White Inn on Main Street in Fredonia. While the lights remained on inside the former dining area of the facility, the knee-high weeds and grass had been tarnishing a landmark that village residents as well as current and former elected officials cannot seem to let go.

That lack of care upset more than a few longtime advocates who took matters into their own hands. On a Saturday morning in May 2021, about 32 gathered to restore pride and prestige to the aging, but unkempt facility. Led by current county Legislator Susan Parker of District 4 in Fredonia, the group that included Mayor Doug Essek and former mayors Frank Pagano and Steve Keefe made quick work of the overgrown yard bringing back some respectability at the once-prominent inn.

Fourteen months later, the north county’s affection — and never-ending enthusiasm for the site — were rewarded.

In a news release issued late last week by the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency, former and current residents celebrated the announcement that business leader Steve St. George and partner Devin Jones, intended to purchase the downtown property from New Jersey-based JG Funding Corp. for an undisclosed amount.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to give back to Fredonia,” St. George said last week through the IDA. “I know what the White Inn means to the community, and I want to do everything in my power to restore and make it a point of pride in the community once again. My team and I know what we’re getting into and are up for the challenge.”

St. George’s reputation speaks for itself. He started his business while in high school more than 40 years ago by purchasing a tow truck and a garage. Since that time, he has expanded to a 60,000-square-foot facility that serves customers nationwide and is known locally for his company’s high-quality work, especially with infrastructure and renovations.

Mark Geise, chief executive officer at the IDA and deputy county executive, expressed more than once in recent weeks that he was cautiously confident a deal would get done. A north county resident himself, he understands the importance and legacy the White Inn holds for the village. He also clearly understood the disappointment and discontent that plagued Fredonians about the Main and White street site.

Besides the unwelcoming front, the building is showing plenty of wear and tear. There are concerns with the roof as well as the chimney. Inside, there’s a list of upgrades that need to be completed that include not only the rooms but the kitchen area.

“I am so excited that Steve has decided to move forward with this project,” Geise said last week. “Honestly, I can’t think of anyone else I would prefer to be taking on this project as everything Steve does is stellar. This has been a very long process with a lot of moving parts to get to this point; this has been a total team effort that has resulted in a positive outcome.”

It appears to be a long way from what happened when the facility closed in January 2018. Though rooms were rented out during that holiday season, there were not many patrons. Meals also were not being offered and a longtime tradition of the Fredonia Rotary Club meeting there weekly came to an end.

Through last week’s announcement, St. George’s dedication and partnership with Jones shines some light on a structure that has taken on a gloomy and dusty appearance over the last five years. While the turnaround will not happen immediately, there is an optimism that the three-story, 25,000-square-foot site will reopen as a hotel, restaurant, banquet space and a lounge by 2024.

“The sale of the village of Fredonia’s historic White Inn to two talented and hard-working Fredonia residents is great news for the village and northern Chautauqua County,” said Parker, who spearheaded cleanup efforts last year. “A great deal of village of Fredonia and Chautauqua County IDA work and effort went into this project. Steve St. George and Devin Jones will be wonderful owners and stewards of the history and for the future of the White Inn. I look forward to its reopening and to the significant positive impact this will have on the economy and quality of life in the village of Fredonia.”

It’s a new beginning that has captivated many — and cannot begin soon enough.

John D’Agostino is the editor of the OBSERVER, The Post-Journal and Times Observer in Warren. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-366-3000, ext. 253.

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