History of the Franklinville Inn (continued...)

With the fire house across the street from the Inn the responsibility of alerting the town of a fire was placed on the Innkeeper. Should a fire or major emergency occur, you were instructed to call the Inn and relay the details to the Innkeeper. The Innkeeper from behind the bar would initialize the fire siren located at the firehouse, which would wail throughout the town summoning the firemen or alerting the people of the pending emergency. The Innkeeper with his trusty emergency light and fire police cap would proceed to the middle of the intersection and provide traffic control while the fire trucks emerged from the station house. This continued until the middle 1970's.

In 1961 Leonard Bonvechio, Sr. a contractor from Iona Lake, a community just a few miles from the center of Franklinville, with two investment partners entered into a contract to purchase the Hotel for $40,000 from then the current owner, Bill Casazza, who survived Alice Sowell. When his two investment partners backed out, Leonard approached Mike & Sophie Lachowicz, the tavern owners across the street from the Hotel who owned and operated the 3 Bee's Tavern, to see if they would take over his purchase contract to avoid losing his deposit of $6,000. They agreed and Leonard, in appreciation, offered his services to help revamp the structure that was in great disrepair. 

On January 16, 1962 Mike and Sophie Lachowicz purchased the hotel from Bill Casazza. From this period forward their son Stephen became the Innkeeper and with his parents and Leonard Bonvechio began the major restoration of the Inn that was in deplorable condition. Many sections had to be gutted down to the supporting timbers, Three 12" steel I beams were installed in the front section to eliminate the 6" floor sag and stabilize the building. Foundations had to be rebuilt. Ed Grochowski, Sr. drove under the structure with his front-end loader to excavate the basement to make provisions for new basement walls. The entire building shook so much it's a wonder it didn't collapse on Ed as he worked fearlessly. Those observing him work were fascinated at his ability to manipulate the tractor to accomplish this task. It seemed that every tradesman in town was involved in rebuilding the Inn. Throughout this rehabilitation period, the Inn remained opened with the patrons dealing with the dust while volunteering their help at times but always offering their advice and criticism. This reconstruction period was completed in 1963 when the Inn was able to function without the sounds of hammers, saws, construction dust and debris. During the subsequent period the Inn operated successfully having the warmth and character of a true local tavern.

The structural renovations paid off when a few farm boys from Elmer, NJ rode their horses to the Inn; however, they didn't stop at the front door, they rode into the building and requested drinks for their horses. The floors held and the Innkeeper told the Elmer boys the horses have to be 21 to be served. This may have been the first time under age horses were flagged at the Inn.

With the sun setting on Mike & Sophie the Inn was passed down to the children and Steve continued to operate the Inn until he decided in 1990 to retire to Florida. Their oldest son Michael and his family elected to acquire the Inn and move their accounting practice from across the street to this larger facility. Those plans were interrupted when their oldest son Mark expressed a desire to reopen the Inn as a restaurant.

During the period 1990 to April 14, 1993 the Inn again was extensively renovated by Michael & Patricia Lachowicz. Since then the restaurant has been operated and managed by their oldest son Mark who has four sons with one of them eyeing this business as a career.

We appreciate your interest in our restaurant.