by Marianne Christy
Since the Moore family bought Van Auken’s Inne last November, they have strived to honor the historic nature of the hotel.
Built next to the tracks of Thendara Station in 1891 by Cornelius Mack, it was operated as Con Macks Hotel and served and housed visitors who came to the area by rail.
The hospitality services of the hotel/railroad continued throughout the next century and beyond as various owners catered to the needs of both a local and visiting clientele.
As an initiative to create an even stronger bond between the two entities, this season the Moores—Jim, his wife Suzan and son and daughter-in-law Andrew and Tara— entered into an “employee share” program with Adirondack Scenic Railroad which allowed for both to hire more staff and pay better wages.
Van Aukens’ staff have been trained to provide ticket sales and serve food in the dining car, which is in operation on all scheduled runs.
The inne’s executive chef Michael Pickreign has put together a menu that appeals to all ages of riders. Pickreign, a graduate of the Culinary School of America, is also responsible for preparing the menu for train charters and special events.
Bethan Maher, executive director of the Adirondack Scenic Railroad, said Van Auken’s and the Railroad are natural partners in that they are located “off the beaten path” in Thendara but largely dependent on tourism.
“The work that the Moores have done and will continue to do in branding Thendara as a historic or heritage tourism destination is a natural fit with the offerings and mission of the railroad,” Maher said.
But the partnership with the railroad isn’t the only way the Moores are paying homage to the inne’s past.
They recently opened the doors to Wakelys, the basement-level tavern named after John Wakely, who operated the inne under the name of Wakelys Hotel from 1895 to 1904.
According to former owners John and Kathy Nahor, back in the early 1900s much of the space served as a lumberjack bar.
They said lumberjacks were steered away from the upstairs bar of the inne because their spiked boots tore up the floors.
Once Prohibition hit in 1920, the space became a speakeasy and was utilized as such until Prohibition’s end in 1933…only to be resurrected in 2015 to function in its new life as Wakelys.
The Moores found that much of the original space was intact when they bought the inne.
“In every true sense of the word it was a genuine speakeasy. It had all wooden doors, tin ceilings, and all the wood was intact. Possibly, it has not been used for anything else but storage since the 1930’s,” Jim said.
When they decided to restore the space, Andrew admits they didn’t have any real plans on paper. Rather, he, his dad and contractor Chuck Robinson pooled their ideas, pulled together a host of local contractors, “and the place just developed as we went along,” he said.
Reclaimed wood was used on the walls and by furniture maker Jim Kiefer to build the bar. Period lighting was matched by Meyda Lighting, while contractors Chuck Sauer, Gary Fairbrother, Forrest Proper and Bruce Myers—among others—helped to breathe new life into the space.
Open Wednesday through Saturday, the bar now features an abundance of live music, soft lighting, and a well-stocked bar that includes over 100 varieties of bourbon.
The entrance to Wakelys is at ground level on the left side of the building… but hold on, just as it was back in the day, you have to know the password to get in.
Guests will be met by the door person who will request the password. Once given, entry is gained.
To access the password, go to the website: vanaukensinne.com. Click on tab at upper left corner, then click on Wakelys under events. Sign up with your email address and the password will be delivered to you.
You’ll want to have the password handy for Wakelys grand opening celebration on Saturday, August 29. From 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. the public is invited to celebrate the Prohibition era by enjoying live music, signature cocktails, and a 1920’s-inspired menu.
It is strongly suggested that guests come dressed in formal or period attire.