(Credit: Steve Thurston, 2022)
Shaughnessy’s Olde Log Inn has been sold.
Richard Askew, the president of Rondack Building Inspections, is the new owner of Shaughnessy’s Olde Log Inn located on Route 9 in Lake George, about a quarter mile north of Lake George Village. He purchased the property for $875,000 from Mike and Gigi Shaughnessy, who owned and operated the restaurant for the past 23 years.
The 60-year old log cabin building is a popular dining spot with both residents and visitors. The property had been for sale for approximately a year before Askew closed May 2.
Askew now serves as the General Manager of the restaurant. He is supported by two managers who handle the day-to-day operations – one oversees the kitchen and the other manages the dining room/bar area. Both managers served in the same capacities under the previous owners.
In fact, all of the restaurant staff are continuing in their roles to ensure continuity with both the menu and service.
“Some of these people have been here for quite a long time. Everything works so well. I wanted everyone to stay,” Askew said.
Askew, who has over 40 years experience in the construction, consulting, and inspection industries, is no stranger to the restaurant business. He once managed a restaurant in Long Island for two years. His daughter, Caitlyn, who worked in restaurants while a student in college, may also get involved in the business.
“It’s a great little establishment,” says Askew, who is also a member of the Lake George Planning Board. “It’s a beautiful log building. It’s been very well maintained and much of the equipment has been upgraded. As a building inspector, I looked at it and I thought, ‘This is great.’”
The restaurant purchase is the second major investment in the region for Askew in the past year. The local resident – Askew lives just a mile from The Olde Log Inn – is a partner with Michael Grasso in the Sun Valley Apartment project. The 39-room apartment complex has been proposed for the corner of Sun Valley Drive and Route 9L in Lake George.
The Olde Log Inn features a mix of salads, sandwiches, and dinner entrees. It is open year-round on Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11am to 9pm and is closed on Sundays and Mondays.