Borough manager hopeful for Hotel Saxonburg’s future, says potential buyers have already expressed interest
It isn’t often that Saxonburg’s thriving Main Street has a business vacancy. That changed last week, when the historic Hotel Saxonburg announced its closure after 193 years.
The vacancy along Saxonburg’s Main Street, however, likely won’t take long to be filled, Saxonburg borough manager Steven May told the Butler Eagle Friday, March 14 — less than a week and a half following its abrupt closure.
He said he is aware of a few people who have expressed interest in purchasing the Hotel Saxonburg, although he declined to share further information about who potential buyers may be.
“I know, there were a couple of people that were interested,” May said.
The Hotel Saxonburg — which opened in 1832 and survived civil and world wars, the Great Depression, multiple recessions, and two pandemics — announced its closure last weekend, citing the rising prices of food as well as health issues for the owners, Lee Uncapher and Annette Gervais.
The couple had purchased the restaurant in August 2023.
Saxonburg Mayor William Gillespie said he found out about the closure at the same time as everyone else. According to Gillespie, the closure came so suddenly that events planned for the restaurant for later in March could not be held.
“The impact to the borough is more indirect,” Gillespie said. “People that would normally come into the borough for a lunch or a dinner and then shop around in town are not able to do that now. We want to see it open back up and be successful.”
“We don’t look for (Hotel Saxonburg) to be closed for very long,” May said.
Despite the potential impact to Main Street from the restaurant’s closure, other Saxonburg business owners say that they are proceeding as usual.
“Batch has been here for 10-plus years,” said Meghan Pohl, owner of the Batch bake shop. “Saxonburg's stronger than ever, and I think we'll be just fine.”
Melinda Berzonski, owner of Saxonburg Coffee & Tea, shared similar sentiments.
“I can tell you that Main Street in Saxonburg is alive and well,” Berzonski said.
Hotel Saxonburg’s manager did not respond to requests for comment, and the restaurant’s website and phone have been disconnected as of Friday afternoon.
