After 53 years, East family sells Killarney Mountain Lodge (2 photos)

Killarney Mountain Lodge, located in the scenic Killarney channel close to the open waters of Georgian Bay, has been a popular vacation spot for tourists since the middle of the last century.

Built in the 1940s by an American company, it's been owned for the past 53 years by Annabelle and Maury East, who raised their family in the small hamlet, located about an hour south of Sudbury.

But given that the Easts are now 74 and 91 years old, respectively, they've been trying to sell the lodge for the last few years.

They recently succeeded, selling it to Holden and Carey Rhodes of London, Ont. The new owners plan to carry on the business in a similar fashion, although they want to do some renovations.

“It's an old place, and it needs a facelift,” Annabelle said.

The business, which has room for about 100 guests, looks much the same as it did when the Easts purchased it a half-decade ago, with a few exceptions.

Holden Rhodes has connections to Killarney, as his grandmother was from the community.

“We just think this is the most exciting thing that someone with these local roots is taking over this business,” Annabelle said.

It's good for the community that the business will continue, since it employs about 50 people and is the hamlet's largest employer, she said. Many employees are from Killarney.

After operating the business since 1962, though, it's time to retire, Annabelle said.

“Of course, the wonderful thing is it's kept us healthy and busy and active,” she said. “I'm sure it's the reason we've been able to be so healthy.”

The Easts have until the end of March to vacate their cottage on the Killarney Mountain Lodge property, and are considering relocating to the Parry Sound area. Although she'd still be close to Georgian Bay in Parry Sound, Annabelle said she'll miss Killarney dearly.

“Killarney is magical, as far as I'm concerned,” she said. “I just look out the window every morning. We live on the channel here and we look east as far as you can see.”

Learn more about Killarney Mountain Lodge at www.killarney.com.