Former Lyndora Hotel renovation progressing, possible tenant lined up
Commuters who frequent Hansen Avenue and Whitestown Road regularly might have noticed some activity at the former Lyndora Hotel over the past few weeks.
That’s because the building’s new owner, Joe Gray with Ashlar Architecture & Engineering, of Butler, has been making renovation progress to help make the century-old business suitable for new tenants. Gray said he already has one lined up.
“Right now, we are trying to move the kitchen out to the back of the space and then open up the front or side there where the kitchen was with windows,” Gray said. “That will give it more of a pleasant appearance from the bridge and that perspective.”
Gray said the tenant he has lined up wants to open a restaurant that will feature healthier food options, such as grass-fed beef.
Work is still being completed to get the restaurant at 1 Main St. in Lyndora up and running. Gray said he anticipates the move-in to happen around September.
“We got a lot of cleanup to do and moving the grill hood out and getting that all situated for the proposed plans,” Gray said.
The restaurant would be on the first floor.
As for the second floor, where the hotel rooms once were, Gray said he is still looking for a tenant. However, a good portion of that floor is ready to go.
“It would be nice to have a brewery or something upstairs,” Gray said. “The bar is still there and ready to go. It is finished hardwood oak floors and a nice bar and updated bathrooms. I have had a few people look at it but nothing serious yet.”
Gray purchased the building in May 2025 for $249,000. He said the building has a solid foundation and his crew has only run into a few minor issues during the renovation process.
“Nothing much had been done for years,” Gray said. “The bar was embedded in the floor, so we took that all out. After years and years of putting different plumbing in and electrical, there is just a whole rat’s nest of abandoned utilities up in the ceiling we are trying to get out and clean up to we know what's what. It was pretty dirty. They had a leak in the roof, so water got in there and we had to deal with a little mold. Those were the biggest things we found so far.”
The bar and restaurant was owned by the Pawk family from 1947 to 2023. When the building was finished in the early 1900s, it served as a hotel for travelers doing business at area steel mills.
On Sept. 6, 2023, the Pawk family officially closed the restaurant and bar and sold the business’ liquor license to Sheetz in Harrisville.
According to previous Butler Eagle reports, Mike Pawk owned the business with his siblings, who said they tried to sell the business and license to continue its legacy in Butler, but had no luck.
Gray said he is excited for the future of the Lyndora community, with the addition of the new sports complex across Hansen Avenue and the reconfiguration of the Whitestown Road and Hansen Avenue intersection.
“I think Lyndora is at a point where some nice things can happen down there,” Gray said.
