Nearly 200 years after it opened its doors, a Saxonburg institution closed its doors for what might be the final time this week.

Hotel Saxonburg, which first opened in 1832, announced Wednesday, March 5, that it was closing, effective immediately.

In a Facebook post, the hotel’s owners said the decision to close came about because of health issues, increasing food costs and the expense of maintaining a historic building.

“It has been an honor to serve this wonderful community, and we’re truly grateful for the memories and support we’ve shared along the way,” part of the post stated. “It has been a privilege to host so many of you and we will miss the connections, camaraderie and smiling faces.”

The closure of any business is always a blow to a community, and historic businesses like the Hotel Saxonburg are part of what give the small towns in our county their distinctive character.

Owners Annette Gervais and Lee Uncapher purchased the business in August 2023 from previous owner Judy Ferree, and put work into renovating the building and updating the offerings in the restaurant.

In its 193 years of continuous operation, the hotel has hosted quite a few famous people. President Woodrow Wilson’s name is on the guest registry, but the details of his visit aren’t known.

One of the best known, at least to Western Pennsylvanians, is Fred Rogers. The host of the PBS show “Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood” ate at the hotel and became friends with the owner. He would visit and eat there regularly in the 1980s.

Hotel Saxonburg opened the same year the town was founded. We hope it will be revived and reopened for its next chapter.

— JK