Work on Groton Hotel infrastructure currently underway

Christine (Chris) Clare Brennan became the new owner of the Groton Hotel (GH) when she purchased it at auction on June 24, and it’s hard to say whether she or the Groton community at large is more thrilled about it!

“It all started with the purchase of the Benn Conger Inn (The Benn) in October, 2021,” Brennan said. “That all came about as a result of investing in my childhood home and the community, and The Benn is such a success story because of my nephew, Drew Clare [general manager of The Benn], and the rest of my family. As my husband, Ed [who sadly passed away on July 10], and I were building out The Benn, we kept our eyes on the Groton Hotel. We thought it would be a great complementary property to The Benn.”

Chris was part of a group of people who restarted the Groton Community and Business Association. Drew and Chris are both part of the New York Forward grant committee. In both groups, there was a focus on what was going to happen to the GH.

“Members of the business community let me know that the hotel was going on the auction block,” Chris said. “Ed, Drew and I discussed it because there are no evening restaurants in Groton. We thought about [opening such a restaurant] at The Benn, but we thought the hotel would be a better choice.”

Chris also said that The Benn has attracted thousands of visitors and that the hope is that the GH will do the same, bringing more business to the whole community. At The Benn, they refer their guests to Cortland or Ithaca for dinner, but the GH could remedy that.

“We received the title in August 2024 and began immediately working with local contractors — all from Groton — similar to what we did with The Benn,” Chris said. “I didn’t fully appreciate the tremendous outpouring of support from the community, not only because it is an historic landmark property [built in1843], but from the wonderful memories cited on Facebook or in personal outreach from so many folks who have lived in and around Groton who used to gather there, see friends, etc. All of that has been reinforced since purchasing it.”

Chris said that the overall plan is to follow in the footsteps of Dennis and Sue Toolan, who owned and operated the GH for over 35 years. There will be a bar and restaurant on the first floor, accommodations of four suites on the second floor, as well as a two-story apartment. Eventually, she plans to convert the 11 rooms on the third floor into one- and two-bedroom apartments.

“So far, we’ve painted the outside, and the architecture is in process of extending the windows,” Chris said. “The retail space is completely renovated, and Groton Antiques opened in it Nov. 1. The two-story apartment where [the shop’s] owners, Pat and Romy Harder, will live, is 90% complete.” The Harders’ story can be found in the Nov. 6 edition of this column.

Throughout November, a lot of infrastructure work needs to be done — shoring up basement walls, pouring the concrete floor, updating electrical, plumbing and HVAC — before restoration of the east wall can happen.

“That wall was covered in plastic for 15 years!” Chris said. “It was the original kitchen — torn down and never rebuilt. The plan is to start with the existing kitchen, so we can open in 2025. In 2026, we’ll extend the dining and kitchen space to a 20-by-50-foot extension off the old kitchen, which will house a hot kitchen, pizza oven and indoor/outdoor dining. We want to source food, wines and everything locally, make it nice — and keep it affordable.”

Chris reiterated that Drew will manage both properties, and will eventually be hiring food and beverage chefs, waitstaff and bartenders for the GH. She also exuded her gratitude for tremendous support from friends and family, especially Drew, Pete and Sherry Clare, Joe and Patty Clare, Lori Wasilenko, Donna Brennan, many nieces, nephews, cousins and her dear friend Rocky Robinson.

Many in the community have been speculating on just when the GH will be open for business. Chris said the plan is to open the bar and restaurant first. It will be called “Eddy Brennan’s Tavern,” named after Chris’ late husband.

“Ed and I met in a bar in Washington, D.C., and Ed owned a bar in Georgetown called Franny O’Brien’s,” Chris said. “I wanted to do something in his honor, and this seems appropriate. I hope the tavern will open by summer of 2025, but much needs to happen, so time will tell.”

Groton on the Inside appears every week in Tompkins Weekly. Submit story ideas to editorial@vizellamedia.com or text or call Linda at 607-227-4922. 

In brief:

Groton Community Choir performances

Under the direction of Ginny Casey, the Groton Community Choir will present its 74th musical presentation, “God’s Perfect Gift Wrapped Up For Us,” with four performances: 

• Friday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. at Groton Community Church, 204 E. Cortland St. 
• Saturday, Dec. 7 at 1 p.m. at Brooktondale Baptist Church, 2311 Slaterville Rd., Ithaca 
• Saturday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at Dryden Baptist Church, 138 Virgil Rd.
• Sunday, Dec. 8 at 3 p.m. at Groton Assembly of God, 701 S. Main St. 

Crown City Brass will also perform.

All locations are handicapped accessible. Light refreshments will follow each performance. There is no charge for the concerts, but freewill donations will be gratefully accepted to assist in purchasing music for future performances.

A message from the Groton Fire Department

Due to the lack of rainfall, higher than normal temperatures and the dying vegetation, there is a burn ban in effect in Tompkins County for the month of November. Please do not burn your leaves or grass, downed limbs or trees or garbage, or have any other open burns.

I hear there is a curfew, is that right?

Yes, there is a curfew law. No child under the age of 16 shall be in or upon any of the streets, parks or public places in the village of Groton in the nighttime after 10 p.m. and before 6 a.m. without a parent.