SAXONBURG — One constant throughout the storied history of the borough has been a hotel at 220 Main St.

While a new owner is poised to take the reins soon, the Hotel Saxonburg will continue to be a mainstay in the community.

New owner Judy Ferree of Middlesex Township will remodel the first floor of the building. She said the bar and restaurant will temporarily close after the hotel changes hands next week.

"I want to be done in three weeks," she said.

Along with new carpeting, the interior will be painted.

While the downstairs will be renovated, the six rooms on the second floor won't be altered. Current owner Carolyn Gentile and her late husband Fred in 2004 restored the space to an 1800s' milieu.

"They were all done with antiques," Gentile said.

Ferree intends to rent the rooms out to groups, such as bridal parties and women's clubs.

The business will continue to cater events as well as serve walk-in customers.

Some menu items changed, and a new chef has been hired.

Ferree, 50, has extensive experience managing clubs, including the Butler Country and the Lakevue Athletic clubs.

She and her husband Bob Ferree sold the Lakeview club five years ago. Since then, Ferree has not managed any business.

"It was fun for awhile," she said about having free time.

However, Ferree is now excited to get back to work. But she realizes it won't be easy restarting a business in the current economy.

"It will be a struggle," Ferree said.

Gentile of Jefferson Township didn't set out to run a hotel. Fred, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and a founder of the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts, had the passion for the business. But his wife ended up the proprietor.

"My husband died suddenly four years ago," she said.

While Gentile was ready to retire from operating the business, she didn't want to sell it to just anybody.

When Ferree talked to her earlier this year about buying the hotel, Gentile found a person who appreciated its legacy.

"I was very happy," Gentile said.

Bob Kaltenhauser, one of the borough's historians, researched the hotel's narrative.

Initially, the building's name changed as frequently as the owner.

Not to be confused with the Saxonburg Hotel — a different building entirely — the business at 220 Main St. was called at various times the Vogeley House, the Laube House, the Belvedere House and the Central Hotel.

In 1958, Domenic "Roomie" Gentile, now 92, bought the hotel. He later handed it down to his son, Fred.

Ferree said the reaction of other Main Street business owners to the pending sale has been positive.

She hopes the new beginning for the Hotel Saxonburg attracts new people to the business district.

Ray Rush, manager of the Main Street revitalization project, said a new emphasis on the hotel will be a boon to the borough.

"That is an anchor in the community," he said. "People come from all over to wine and dine at the Hotel Saxonburg."

Ferree supports the Main Street project, which is spearheaded by John Roebling's Historic Saxonburg Society.

That project entails restoring the historic district along Main and Rebecca streets to its appearance in the 1800s.

Ferree said the changes should attract more people to what already is alluring to visitors.

"It's a beautiful little town,"she said.