Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
If plans and renovations go as expected, Warsaw will have a major entertainment complex by this time next year.
Bruce and Steve Shaffner, owners of ViewPoint Restaurant and Motor Lodge and Wagon Wheel Theatre, recently purchased the Holiday Inn property on the east side of Warsaw. They plan to turn the site into an entertainment complex linked to the theater by an enclosed walkway.
The Shaffners will move the ViewPoint Restaurant to the Holiday Inn property; the restaurant will probably close around the end of January, they said today, and the property will be sold.
The current Holiday Inn will no longer be a Holiday Inn, they said, but they are not sure whether they will go with a national franchise or stay independent. Either way, the services and the looks will change drastically in the next eight to 12 months.
"You won't recognize it when we're done," Bruce Shaffner said.
Renovation plans include a new roof; new heating and cooling units in all guest rooms, which will be redecorated; a new kitchen; approximately 10 guest suites; redecorated lobby and conference rooms; and updating the area now known as the Holidome.
They said the new facility will feature outside dining around the pool in the summer, periodic live entertainment in the lounge, dining and entertainment "events" and packages, and more facilities for conventions and trade shows.
Five banquet rooms and three smaller meeting rooms give the hotel the capability of accommodating eight to 350 people in meetings or seminars, they said.
They also plan on being a complete headquarters for weddings, including rehearsal dinners, receptions and guest rooms.
The Shaffners emphasized the advantages to the community of being a locally owned facility, and said they will take the ViewPoint staff with them, as well as rehiring approximately 60 percent of the former Holiday Inn staff.
"We are going to be the only full-service facility," said Steve Shaffner. "We're going to offer a level of service above and beyond what is offered elsewhere."
The restaurant at the Holiday Inn will close for seven to 10 days while renovations to the kitchen are made, but guests at the hotel will still receive continental breakfasts, they said.
Guest rooms will stay open during renovations, which will take place one floor at a time.
The Shaffners said ViewPoint customers' gift certificates or other promotional materials will be honored at the Holiday Inn location.
