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Hotel Fauchere to Close for Winter

MILFORD — The status of a historic hotel in Milford after the holidays has some wondering if it’s the beginning of the end for the famous Hotel Fauc...
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MILFORD -- The status of a historic hotel in Milford after the holidays has some wondering if it's the beginning of the end for the famous Hotel Fauchere.

The hotel is shutting down in January and not scheduled to open until the spring.

Since it was restored to its 19th century glory and reopened eight years ago, Hotel Fauchere has been a big part of Milford's business scene.

The historic hotel has attracted wealthy people from Philadelphia and New York, but after the New Year, they won't be staying here.

An email announced the hotel and its other businesses, Bar Louis and a pastry shop will close, after co-owner Dick Snyder died suddenly a month ago.

"Everybody understands they need some time to regroup. Dick was such an important part of this community. Everybody has been devastated by his passing," said Harrington House Bed & Breakfast owner Adriane Wendell.

It's not just one business closing down for the winter. There`s the Hotel Fauchere, the bar restaurant downstairs, and the pastry shop, and it comes during the slowest time of the season here in Milford.

"They have specials throughout winter to bring in business. Valentine's Day is a big one. It`s going to hurt," said Laura Staine, who owns Willow, a store one block away from the hotel.

Staine said everyone will feel the effects of the hotel closing for three months. Even psychologically it's a tough pill to swallow.

"Sad for town, sad for stores, sad for everybody," she said.

The employees will have to find jobs for those three months and the business community wonders what the future holds for the Hotel Fauchere, and ultimately, Milford.

"I was actually quite sad to hear, they say temporary until April. I really hope that's the case," said Treasurer for the Pike County Chamber of Commerce Philly Viscardo.

Dear Friend,

When Dick Snyder, the Hotel Fauchere's co-owner, died after a fall in his home on November 14, it was devastating for those of us who were his friends, colleagues and neighbors.

Dick was universally beloved and admired as a community leader, philanthropist and gentle, considerate soul who was always ready with a kind word for every person who crossed his path. He loved his llamas, the natural beauty of the upper Delaware River Valley and, most of all, his community.

Over the years, Dick helped lead, launch or support many initiatives that have improved the quality of life in our region: the Milford Enhancement Committee's streetscape program, the restoration of Grey Towers and dozens of privately owned buildings, Milford Magazine, the creation of hiking and biking trails, arts and cultural festivals, the Greater Pike Community Foundation, Historic Preservation Trust of Pike County and much, much more.

One of Dick's proudest achievements was the restoration and reopening of the Hotel Fauchere, which he sometimes referred to it as "the centerpiece" of a community-wide effort over the past 20 years. It is important to all of us at the

Hotel Fauchere, as well as to Dick's memory, that the hotel continue to serve in that central role in our community, as it did for 124 years, from 1852 to its closing in 1976, and as it has since reopening in 2006.

We appreciate and are so very proud of our staff at the hotel who, in the wake of Dick's death, have shown amazing professionalism, dedication and support, despite their own personal mourning. Sometimes it takes the loss of someone we love to realize and cherish so much more those who are still with us.

It isn't unusual when the owner of a business dies that it creates challenges for the business, and the situation we find ourselves in now is no exception. But the challenges the Hotel Fauchere faces are ones that we, as the senior management team, are determined to address as quickly and effectively as possible.

Towards that end, we will be closing the hotel, Bar Louis, Patisserie and the Delmonico Room for the winter, from Sunday, January 4, to Thursday, April 2, 2015. This will give us breathing room to regroup and prepare for a reopening that will continue the hotel's legacy and Dick's vision for many years.

Between now and January 4, we are committed to maintaining the high standard for which we are known. We are planning a spectacular New Year's Eve celebration and look forward to hosting many guests visiting Milford for their holiday shopping or get-togethers with family and friends. We also are offering a special $100/night mid-week rate from now through the end ofthe year. This is valid only for previous guests; contact guest services (or 570 409 1212) for details.

During the closure period, we want to encourage you to continue to patronize the shops and restaurants in Milford's commercial district, many of which rely heavily on business from our hotel guests. These small enterprises, which contribute so much to our community and to maintaining the viability of Milford's commercial center, need and deserve our support. Note, too, that the Badea & Soul Day Spa at the Hotel Fauchere (405 Broad Street) will remain open during the period when the hotel is closed.

The winter closure places the greatest burden on our staff members, who will be unemployed for that period. If you are in a position to help any of them find employment, temporary or otherwise, please get in touch with any of us signed below and we will facilitate that process. We are hopeful that at the reopening in April we will be able to reassemble as much of our excellent team as possible.

As difficult a time as this is for those of us mourning Dick's passing, it is a promising time for the Hotel Fauchere as a business.

We will finish 2014 with a 20% increase in revenue; our advance event bookings as of today are more than ten times what they were at this time last year; our reviews have never been better; our management team never stronger; and our food and service never more consistent.

It is already clear that our new corporate meeting facility, scheduled to open next year, will bring a significant increase in our mid-week business, which is critical to the hotel's long-term success.

And we've also had some promising inquiries prompted by this article in the Wall Street Journal last weekend. We thank you for your support over the years, as well as through these next few months as we reorganize and prepare for the future.

Sincerely,

Sean Strub, President

Sean Durden, Chief Operating Officer

Xavier Morales, Maitre d'hotel and Director of Human Resources

Hillary Needleman, Food & Beverage and Events Director

David Pirozzi, Chef de Cuisine

Julia Smith, Executive Pastry Chef

 

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