Hotel Saxonburg changes hands
Even after 191 years of continuous business, Hotel Saxonburg still undergoes major changes, the most recent change being in its ownership, which officially changed Wednesday, Oct. 18.
Sarver residents Annette Gervais and Lee Uncapher bought the business from former owner Judy Ferree, who announced the official change in ownership via the Hotel Saxonburg’s Facebook page Wednesday morning.
“It is with great pride, and a lot of mixed emotions, that I can officially announce that the ownership of Hotel Saxonburg has changed,” the post said. “I am so excited for the new owners, Annette Gervais and Lee Uncapher. They are so enthusiastic about taking the hotel to the next level.“
Ferree put the Hotel Saxonburg, at 220 W. Main St., up for sale in June 2022 with an initial asking price of $1.2 million, which included the building’s liquor license. She purchased Saxonburg Hotel in 2010 from Carolyn Gentile, who had been the owner for 52 years prior to the sale.
Part of the Saxonburg Historic District, the hotel has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1976 and has been open continuously since 1832. It serves as both a hotel and a restaurant, which serves liquor.
Ferree announced the sale of the business to Uncapher and Gervais in late-August. The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board had to approve the transfer of the liquor license before the sale closed.
In the announcement of the sale, Ferree said the employees of the business would remain employed after the transfer.
The hotel was closed Wednesday and Thursday, with a plan to reopen at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 20, according to a Facebook post. In her goodbye post, Ferree said she and the rest of the restaurant staff are saddened by the death of retired chef Alan Green on Monday.
The new owners of the hotel previously said they were excited to take on the nearly 200-year-old business.
“I look forward to working with the community,” Uncapher said. “We want to work to build upon the great work that Judy has already done here.”
“We're very excited to be the new owners of such a historic building,” Gervais said. “We plan on having an honored tradition with a modern menu.”
