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Saratoga Springs — The owners of a popular local restaurant and hotel complex at 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs, have decided to close their business. Co-owners Steve and Yvonne Sullivan and David Powers, partners in Longfellows Hotel, Restaurant and Conference Center, have determined it’s time for someone else to take their property to the next level. They will continue to own and operate their second restaurant, the Olde Bryan Inn, located at 123 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs.
The announcement was officially made Thursday, Nov. 3 that Longfellows will be closing its doors on Saturday, January 21, 2023. “After almost 50 years in hospitality, it’s time to step back,” said Steve Sullivan (Sully), co-owner of the 9.5 acre property. Steve continued, “A few weeks ago an offer was accepted from a group of investors/operators to purchase the Longfellows property. I believe Longfellows is in good hands. Going forward, we plan to continue to own and operate the Olde Bryan Inn for many years to come. I also look forward to time spent coaching those around me, as well as working on social service projects, some that I’ve already been involved in for many years.”
Sully continued, “We’ve spent over a third of our lives being good stewards to this property. Believe me, this has been the toughest decision we’ve ever had to make. It’s been a great 26-year run. Now it’s time for someone else to bring this wonderful venture forward.”
When they first opened Longfellows Restaurant in May of 1997, the Sullivans and Mr. Powers recognized the former dairy barn to have ‘great bones’ that they hoped to simply embellish. In 1998 they built the Longfellows Hotel, which added 18 rooms to the existing building. In 2003 they added another building with 32 additional rooms as well as a conference center.
Over the 26 years in business, Longfellows has accommodated thousands of hotel guests and hosted over 2400 weddings and countless catering events. Couples and families have made a tradition of celebrating holiday dinners at Longfellows as well as memorable sacramental events in their lives. Longfellows has been the host venue for the Dickens Festival, Longfellows Wedding Show and other signature annual events.
Philanthropists at heart, the Sullivans and Mr. Powers have hosted fundraising events for innumerable community organizations and area nonprofits. In addition, Longfellows has been instrumental in community outreach by offering weekly dinners in season for Code Blue, donating weekly dinners for Community Hospice patients and their families, and providing meals for guests of the local Soup Kitchen at the Presbyterian Church in Saratoga Springs year-round.
In respect to the Longfellows staff, Director of Human Services, Gerri Thompson, emphasized, “We’ve been transparent with our staff of 78 employees and are working diligently with our partners in the hospitality industry to place our employees in alternative industry jobs. We will continue to assist our employees in finding other meaningful employment before we close.”
Sully added, “As we’ve done over the past 26 years, any and all Longfellows gift certificates will continue to be redeemable at the Olde Bryan Inn. All frequent diner points will be transferred to the Olde Bryan Inn and ‘Mug Club’ members can still fill their mugs at the Olde Bryan Inn.”
“We’re thankful for all the wonderful employees we’ve had the pleasure of working with over the years. They really did a great job serving each other as well as our guests. We’re grateful for the wonderful vendors and suppliers we’ve worked beside and maintained relationships with. To all of our customers who stayed with us, dined with us, and celebrated with us, this is not ‘goodbye’. We look forward to seeing you at the Olde Bryan Inn!”
In closing Sully added, “Our objective when we first opened Longfellows was first and foremost to be good stewards of the property and to those we were here to serve. I believe we’ve met those objectives. We are very grateful for the opportunities we’ve had over the past 26 years. We especially wish to thank the community for their continued support. May God bless you and your families.”- Dave, Yvonne and Sully.
ABOUT LONGFELLOWS
Longfellows was originally the site of two enormous dairy barns on the first farm in New York State believed to use the process of pasteurization. In 1995, Longfellows Restaurant was established and quickly became a perennial favorite with a reputation of distinction. In the words of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: “That the feast might be more joyous, that the time may pass more gaily, and the guests be more contented.” Longfellows has adopted this maxim as their daily mission and they make the pleasure of their guests their ultimate satisfaction. Longfellows is located at 500 Union Avenue, Saratoga Springs and is open at 4 p.m. for dinner, Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, visit www.longfellows.com.
