Old Channel Inn
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In the early 1920s,
the Lloyd family built a one story restaurant with an open air porch
on the south end.
Addis Lloyd and his
second wife Sarah operated the Old Channel Inn until 1933 when Addis
died. Sarah continued to operate the Inn until 1935.
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The main floor was added to with owners living in some parts of
it. During the 1930s, a second floor was added. Over the years, the
usage of the second floor changed from vacation rentals to an owner’s
apartment. |
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Irving Lloyd
inherited the Inn and rented it to various parties until 1940 when he
remodeled the Inn and lived it in as a private residence until 1945.
The fieldstone
fireplace was added as well as pine paneling in the living room.
Accommodations
for 20 were available and home cooking was featured. Sunday and special
dinners were served by appointment.
George Meyers
became the Proprietor of ”Ye Olde Channel Inn” from 1936-1939.
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In 1945, Mr. & Mrs. Louis Zaborsky occupied the Old Channel Inn as
their home for 3 years before moving to St. Ignace, after which the
building sat idle.
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Carl and Erma
Pratcher purchased the Inn from Zaborsky’s in 1952. They opened the
Inn following some redecorating and had 8 sleeping rooms available,
all with running water, which could accommodate 16 guests. They
secured a Class “A” Hotel license which enables them to serve beer and
wine on the premises. They also had a “take out” license.
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June 25, 1953
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July 9, 1953 |
1952-53 ca
Myrtle Nichols-Bloomquist
purchased the Inn from Erma Pratcher in 1967 and operated it until
1971. A bar was installed and the partition between the two front
rooms was removed to make room for tables for customers.
In November 1970,
Gerald “Gerry” Groner purchased the Inn from Mrs. Bloomquist. He
operated it until 1976.
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March 25, 1971 December 28, 1972 |
Wayne Lynch purchased
the Old Channel inn in 1976 and operated it until 1985.
New owners Mike Kelly
and Doug Hanna took over the business in April 1985. The transition
was a smooth one as the existing staff was retained: Shirley Wonders
was the Manager; waitresses were: Diane Burel, Sandy Wackernagel,
Sandy Veltman, Wanda Lehman and Melissa Lorenz. The kitchen staff was:
Kristy Anderson, Sherri Chalmers, Janet Kittridge and Linda Roesler.
Owners Mike Kelly tended bar and Doug Hanna cooked.
From 1989 until 2017,
Kirk and Cheryl Davidson were at the helm of the Old Channel Inn.
The currents owners,
who took over in September 2017, are Erich and Trish Schroeder. |
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2017 ca
January 30, 2019 – Courtesy of Martha Strecker Sadony |
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