New Sarrasin's, hotel may be a $10M project

PENN YAN—Sarrasin’s in Penn Yan has new owners. The lakeside restaurant is scheduled to open April 1 as the New Sarrasin’s. The property was purchased by Finger Lakes Area Inn and Restaurant (FLAIR), Inc.  Manager Tammy Havens took some time out from attending to the many details connected to opening the facility to talk about the current project and future plans. Havens estimated the total cost of the project at $10 million.
The land next to the restaurant has been vacant since the old Empire State Winery building was razed more than 20 years ago. The massive stone building had been a landmark on Keuka Lake from the time it was built in 1896. The only item that remains from the building is the cupola. The structure has been stored on the property since it was removed from the top of the building. Havens said it would be wonderful if the cupola could be restored and installed on the new hotel.
New buoys will be installed to guide boaters to docks.  The lower level of the restaurant will be renovated into a casual dining area that would be convenient for boaters. Interior changes will include renovations to the dance floor.
The owners have a one year option on property  next to the restaurant that contains approximately 7.5 acres. Major changes planned for that area include a 140 room hotel, training and conference center. A 180 seat amphitheater is also part of the plan. Havens said training center would not be a school, but a place where people could train for jobs. The hope is to create 140 jobs. She said, “There are not a lot of programs like that out there and nothing around in this area.” Havens said this would help people get back on their feet. The new facility would include an amphitheater that would be used for classes, conferences, meetings and trade shows. The center would have a coffee shop, but catering for meetings and conferences would be done by the restaurant. Infrastructure will have to be addressed before a hotel and conference center can be built.
The restaurant occupies just over two acres on the shore of Keuka Lake.