Archive: Business & Technology

Aurora, N.Y.— Wells College announced on Monday that the Inns of Aurora, a collection of hospitality properties on the shore of Cayuga Lake, are slated to be sold to alumna Pleasant T. Rowland ’62. The sale, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2013, includes the Aurora Inn, E. B. Morgan House, Village Market, Fargo Bar & Grill, Dorie’s Bakery, the Old Post Office, Bet the Farm building, and Taylor House.

The success of the Inns of Aurora has only been possible with the support of the small, close-knit community in which they reside. Bonnie Bennett, mayor of the village, comments on the pending sale “Pleasant Rowland’s purchase of Wells’ commercial properties strengthens both the Inns of Aurora and the college, giving the village a new and welcome economic stability. I’m pleased to see these changes and look forward to the positive effects they will have on the small village. We are lucky to have these two economic engines bringing other small businesses to town, and making life in a rural, historic village not only viable, but interesting and vital.”

The Inns of Aurora will continue to operate under General Manager Sue Edinger and her leadership team. Sue remarks, “I’m proud to say that in all my 35 years in this business, I’m working with one of the strongest teams of my career. We have been working for 10 and a half years to build our company, and it’s the people here that make this all possible. Our team—most of whom were born and raised in the Finger Lakes—has built such a strong brand and earned many, well-deserved accolades. The pride of our staff’s local heritage shines through in all we do.”

Andrew Fish, Cayuga County Chamber Director and Interim Executive Director at the Cayuga Economic Development Agency, is equally excited in the transition: “Pleasant recognizes Aurora—and Cayuga County as a whole—as a sound investment. She is a savvy, successful entrepreneur who sees an amazing opportunity to grow an integral and promising area of our county. We are grateful to have her support, and thrilled to see what may come next.”

Meg Vanek, Executive Director of Cayuga County Office of Tourism agrees, noting that "Pleasant's increased involvement in Aurora will bring the village even closer to becoming the destination of choice for outstanding culinary experiences in the Finger Lakes. We have such a beautiful county full of history, art, agriculture, theatre, food, and wine-we're eager to see what this will do for our tourism industry."

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