GRAND BEND – It was a packed house – and then some – at the Grand Bend Legion on Oct. 27 as hundreds of well-wishers came out to pay tribute to the landmark Colonial Hotel.
Fans of the Colonial Hotel lined up outside the filled-to-capacity Legion waiting to pay tribute to the hotel's former owners, who sold the Colonial in the summer. New owners Troy Hogg and Samantha McKay were also on hand at the celebration.
According to information on the Lambton Heritage Museum's website, The Colonial, situated at the corner of Main Street and Highway 21, has been described as one of the oldest landmarks still standing in Grand Bend, opening in 1868 as the Brenner House. Eventually ownership changed hands to the Klopp family, when Harold Klopp bought the Brenner House in 1943, later changing the name to the Colonial Hotel. Klopp also bought the adjacent Red Gables in the late 1970s and died in 1996.
Until its recent sale, the hotel stayed in the Klopp family's hands under the ownership of Klopp's four daughters and their spouses – Judy and Larry Mason, Jane and John Musser, Bonnie and Mike McCann, and Linda and Cam Anderson. The Andersons, who live in the U.S., were unable to attend the celebration.
During the evening it was noted Harold and Janet Klopp donated the land upon which the Legion stands, and copies of the legal agreement were presented to the Klopp daughters.
One of the event's organizers, Lynda Hillman-Rapley, said Harold Klopp had a major role in Grand Bend's business history, and the family has shown a passion for the community.
"We are so very grateful," she said.
Former co-owner John Musser said the family was very honoured by the tribute at the Legion, describing it as overwhelming. He wished the new owners well and thanked the Legion for the evening.
Musser also thanked the staff who have worked for the Colonial over the years and said it has been the family's pleasure, honour and privilege to be a part of the community.
Former Mayor Cam Ivey noted he worked at the Colonial for a summer and had his first "legal" drink there. He said the Klopp family has been a major presence in the community and he thanked them for their contribution.
"Harold would be proud," he said.
Peter Phillips said Grand Bend is known for its volunteerism and the Klopp family has been at the centre of Grand Bend activities for decades. He said the Rotary Club and Grand Bend Arts Centre are thankful for the family and their support over the years.
Former co-owner Larry Mason said the Klopp family operated the Colonial for 75 years and he hopes "history will record us as good custodians of the corner." He said the family has many cherished memories of the Colonial and they wish the new owners all the best.
New owner Troy Hogg said he has had a love affair with Grand Bend his whole life and, when he learned there was an opportunity to buy the Colonial, he didn't want to see it fall into the wrong hands.