Meet Benn Conger’s new general manager

When Drew Clare attended Tompkins Cortland Community College after his graduation from Candor High School in 2004, he studied marketing because he “thought it would be interesting.”

While that marketing degree serves him well, the bachelor’s degree in hospitality management he went on to earn from Ohio State has opened many doors for Clare since, the most recent being his position of general manager of the Benn Conger Inn (TBC) and its sister property, Victorian House (aka Dempsey House), right here in Groton.

Both properties were purchased by Drew’s aunt, Christine (Clare) Brennan. Brennan spent the first 17 years of her life living in the home at 206 W. Cortland St., now TBC, when it was merely a residence. When she found out it was for sale, she involved her entire family in the decision to purchase it this past fall. The full story on that can be found in the Nov. 17 edition of this column (t.ly/puQ2).

Drew’s parents, Pete and Sherry Clare, own Turkey Trot Acres in Candor, so Drew learned about the hospitality industry from the ground up, as he spent much of his childhood helping out as a dishwasher, table server and more.

“I had no real reason to choose Ohio State,” Drew said. “I just wanted to go away to college somewhere. I was a Buckeyes fan and wanted to experience city life, so I chose to go there.”

Since his return to Candor after his graduation in 2009, Drew’s career, and life in general, has been quite full.

As it happened, that was the year that Greek Peak was opening Hope Lake Lodge, so Drew began his official career in hospitality as the lodge’s guest services supervisor, working his way up to general manager before leaving in 2011.

Drew was the general manager for the Cortland Comfort Inn and the Ramada and Clarion inns in Ithaca until relocating to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, where Drew said he “gained a lot of hands-on learning experience” working for the Radisson and a very large Sheraton.

In the meantime, Drew met his wife, Emily (Gaston) Clare, whom he married in August 2015. When they were expecting their first child, Mabel, in March 2016, they returned to Moravia, where Emily grew up. They made Moravia their home and have since added to their family with Graham in March 2018 and Iris in September 2019.

Careerwise, Drew was the general manager for the Hilton Garden Inn in Auburn when they moved back until he was promoted to area general manager overseeing the Hilton and Homewood Suites in Syracuse.

That brings the story back to July 2021, when Christine brought up the opportunity to purchase the Benn Conger Inn at their annual family reunion. The current labor shortages in the hotel industry were making things difficult for Drew, and Christine was delighted that he agreed to manage TBC.

“I am so excited to be a part of the history of the inn, and I want to make it successful and make both my family and this community proud,” Drew said.

Almost as soon as the ink dried on the closing papers, Drew hit the ground running with an upgrade to the room reservation system from a handwritten ledger book to a cloud-based system that allows guests to book rooms from their phones, tablets, home computers and more.

“Of course, they can also use the good old telephone,” Drew said.

The number is (607) 898-5817.

Next, Drew tackled updating the website (thebenncongerinn.com) and the Facebook page (@TheBennCongerInn), creating an Instagram presence (BENNCONGERINN) and streamlining the accounting processes. In addition, bookings may now be made via Expedia, Booking.com, Airbnb or TripAdvisor.

Simultaneously, renovations are well underway to the infrastructure and decor in both buildings, as well as upgrades to the kitchen equipment and appliances.

“My aunt Christine has done an amazing job upgrading the pillows, linens and bedding in the guest rooms,” Drew said. “I’m working on plans to update the security system, cameras and entry system.”

Committed to investing in the community, Drew has had Bishop Brothers Construction very busy with renovations and Kim Lane, of Lane General Contracting, doing all the interior painting.

“We want everything to be community based if at all possible,” Drew said.

Both Drew and Christine are very excited about preserving and honoring the history of the properties. They have been spending a lot of time thoughtfully naming each guest room.

Some examples are the Conger Suite — honoring the founder of the Corona Typewriter Company and New York State Sen. Benn Conger, who built the home as his private residence in 1921 — and the Dutch and Lulu Suite, the walls of which once sheltered the notorious gangster Dutch Schultz and his gal, Lulu. It was their favorite suite at the inn and claims 600 square feet of the second floor.

In the Victorian House next door are the Dempsey and Welthea Marsh suites and the Carriage, Smith Corona, Terrence C. Graves and 1880 rooms. Visit the new website to learn even more about these and the other suites in TBC.

Many are wondering and asking about a return to having a restaurant on site. While plans for that are not in the imminent future, Drew was thrilled to share plans for specialized Sunday brunches they hope to implement as early as Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day this summer.

Drew plans to serve their take on some of the most loved and iconic foods originating from upstate New York, such as beef on weck from Buffalo, spiedies from Binghamton and Utica greens, to name just a few. Toss in some libation tastings from local wineries, breweries and distilleries, and maybe some live acoustic music, and you can almost sense the experience already!

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:

TST/GHS Student of the Month

The following Groton High School students were recognized as outstanding students of the month for November at the TST BOCES Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center: Cory Ayers, Heavy Equipment, and Madelyn Redfield, Early Childhood.

These students are chosen based on qualities such as character, leadership, citizenship, work ethic and attendance and should be compassionate, honest, trustworthy and responsible and a positive role model.

Congratulations, Cory and Madelyn!

Groton Story Walk

The Groton Story Walk has been updated for winter. “One Winter’s Day” by M. Christina Butler is the story of a kind little hedgehog who helps his friends during a cold winter storm.

This is a great story about generosity, perfect for your little ones this winter. Go check it out at the Groton Story Walk, located on the trail behind Groton Memorial Park on Sykes Street.

Library news

The Groton Public Library has free homemade knit hats available for anyone who needs one. Hats are taped to the railings as you walk into the library — children’s hats on left and teen or adult hats on right. Each bag is labeled. All are welcome to take what they need, and the hats will be replenished.

The Friends of the Groton Public Library is thankful for the Groton High School STEAM Learning Center’s Building Trades students and their teacher, Todd Martin, who refurbished the Little Free Library on Main Street. Take and/or leave a book and enjoy.