BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG – United Helpers has purchased the Gran View and Windjammer Lodge, but as far as service goes, no major changes are expected.

The deal, which has been in the works for sometime and finally closed Aug. 26. 

A spokesperson for United Helpers said that the purchase of the hotel and resort will fall under the for-profit branch of the organization and will help offset costs associated with the non-profit services.

United Helpers like many non-profit nursing providers have struggled due to lack of investment from the state.

The Gran View has a long legacy in Ogdensburg and United Helpers intends to honor that in the transition. In fact, the former owner William Lewis Junior will be staying on to help with the transition of ownership.

 “People coming here to eat, stay or get married are not going to notice any difference,” he said. “I’m 70 years old and not a young guy anymore, I just needed to start thinking about the future for my wife and I, as well as the Gran-View and the Ogdensburg community.”

The Gran-View’s riverfront location, as well as the convenience of an on-site hotel led to the property’s growth as a premier wedding location, where people could get married, hold their reception, and even spend the night without having to get in their cars and travel to another location.

“ We’ve easily done over 1,000 weddings,” Williams said. “We have been honored to be a part of the beginning of so many couples’ journeys together.”

Being a valuable member of the community is also important to the Williams family and something that he says will not change following the change in ownership. Over the years, the Gran- View has hosted hundreds of Zonta Club meetings, Rotary Club meetings, Lions Club meetings, chamber of commerce events, awards presentations, engagement dinners and more.

“One of the first questions I asked the folks at United Helpers when we began talking about

 was, “Who is going to take the lead?” We have staff who have been with us for 30 years. Those people are our family and once we do move on we’re going to miss them more than anything. We want to make sure they’re taken care of.”

The family’s business also includes the 21-room Windjammer Lodge. “The Windjammer gives us a more affordable option for families who would like to enjoy the river, but might not be looking for the full Gran-View experience,” he said.

History of the business

A press release issued by United Helpers says Louis and Tina Williams first opened the Gran-View Hot Dog Stand above Pythian Beach nearly 80 years ago, they dreamed of something so much bigger. 

In  the years that followed the Williams family turned the Gran-View from a small hot dog stand into an iconic destination for weddings, parties, fine dining and many more special occasions

Today people think of the Gran-View as the premier location along the St. Lawrence River for weddings or a gourmet meal, but that wasn’t always the case.

Louis Williams Jr. explained that when his parents Louis and Tina Williams first opened the Gran-View, they did so as a hot dog stand. It operated while they were making renovations to the former Tim’s Manor restaurant to build an apartment where they could live over top of what would become the Gran-View restaurant as we know it.

Sadly, the original Gran-View was destroyed by fire on Christmas Eve in 1953. When rebuilding the Gran-View, the business was moved to its current location where a hotel and resort would also eventually be built.

In 1979 Mr. Williams and his wife Claire moved back to Ogdensburg on a permanent basis. They would both work for the elder Mr. and Mrs. Williams until 1982 when the couple purchased the business from his parents.

“The structure of the business at that time was very similar to what it is today,” he said.

“We’ve just renovated and added pieces over the years.”

 Today, in addition to the restaurant and bar, the Gran-View is a 46-room hotel plus a four-bedroom cottage. There is also a pool on the property. The hotel operates as part of the Ascend Hotel Collection, a boutique brand by Choice Hotels International, earning the company’s highest honor “gold status” for each of the past three years.

When asked about what makes the Gran-View so special, Mr. Williams said, ““There aren’t many places where you can sit on a balcony, enjoy a cup of coffee in the morning or a glass of wine while you take in what I consider to be among the most beautiful sunsets in the world. A lot of people look at us as an oasis in an otherwise busy world and I say they’re absolutely correct to do so.”

Williams credits his wife for much of the business’ evolution. “The flowers, the décor, the landscaping, and redesigns of the properties were all her,” he said. “She’s a very big part of everything that happens. We still wouldn’t be in business if it wasn’t for her.”

In a letter to the community Williams offered appreciation.

"While the Gran-View will always be a part of us, it is time for us to start a new chapter and allow a new family to carry on our traditions at the Gran-View. We are very excited to announce that United Helpers will be taking ownership of the Gran-View at the end of August. United Helpers shares the same passion for excellence and commitment to service that has defined our hotel and restaurant since 1945. We couldn’t be more thrilled that local members of the community, who are passionate about building up Ogdensburg, will be the ones to carry on our legacy for the Gran-View. Don’t worry, you will still see us working alongside them for many months to come. We are committed to ensuring this transition is successful so that you can still count on Gran-View as a place to celebrate all of your special moments."

The full letter can be read here.