Grand opening announced for Owego’s Parkview Inn

Beth and Mark Johnson, owners of Owego’s Parkview Inn and Dugan House Restaurant and Pub, located at 145 Front St. in the heart of historic downtown Owego, N.Y., have announced the grand opening of their hotel.

Following eight years of planning, of which the last two years has been devoted to a majority of the hotel renovations, the Johnson’s commented, “It has been a dream come true to renovate this great landmark property.”

Known to many as simply the Parkview, a special connection and emotional attachment for the property will always remain in the community, as will its distinction as the oldest continually operated business in the village since 1867.

A Ribbon Cutting will be held on Friday, April 26 at 2 p.m. Guests can enjoy live music, and light appetizers and beverages will be available from 2 to 4 p.m.

Throughout the weekend of April 26 through April 28, the Johnson’s welcome visitors during regular business hours to an Open House which will offer a chance to tour the hotel.

The Johnson’s celebrated the property’s 150th anniversary in 2017. A New York State Main Street Downtown Anchor Program grant, of which the Parkview was awarded $475,000, kicked off the major hotel renovations.

Beth said, “It’s a blessing to finally complete our original ten year business plan.”

That business plan began in 2011 when the Johnson’s purchased the Parkview from the previous owners, the McTamney family. The establishment, and where a 1972 fire closed the hotel side of the business, had seen six ownership changes and five different building additions in its 150-year history.  

Bringing the hotel back to life was always in the hearts of the Johnson’s, and in a previous story in this publication, Beth had shared, “This is what we were meant to do, for ourselves, our family and our hometown.”

Today, as the final touches are completed, Beth remarked that the “sweat equity” has paid off. She gave a nod to several trades’ professionals who worked tirelessly, along with her staff, and thanks the Tioga County Economic Development team for their support, among others.

The 1900’s-themed hotel features nine hotel rooms and five studios graced with exquisite décor and complemented by simple luxuries and modern amenities. Each room showcases its own detailed flair, such as access to the balcony, and visitors will find that the character of the era has been meticulously duplicated.

Guests will also find glimpses of exposed brick, elegant furnishings and restored and repurposed wood from the original hotel. For example, repurposed pocket doors made from original doors were installed in each of the hotel bathrooms. New windows were installed, and throughout the upper floors are wainscoting, crown moldings and baseboard similar to the classic hotel.

The property is fully handicapped accessible with an elevator to the second and third floors. Installing the elevator from the center hallway was a major part of the project. A small portion of the main dining room, about six seats, had to be reconstructed in order to house the new elevator.

Beth’s creative touch is visible throughout the hotel as well. From hunting down period-appropriate furnishings to sanding and finishing the wood floors with polyurethane, each task was addressed to ensure that the end result embraced the original property’s Victorian charm.

Beth commented, “It truly is satisfying to restore the original form of the property.”

In the future, the Johnson’s will have the outside of the property painted, and are discussing adding an outdoor patio.

Renaming the restaurant and bar is a tip of the hat to Hugh Dugan; an Irish immigrant who was a landlord of the property once known as the “Exchange Hotel,” and later became owner. Dugan constructed the property’s east side addition, and later, after his death, Dugan’s widow spearheaded the west side addition, a noteworthy accomplishment for a woman during the time period.

Listed on the New York State Haunted History Trail, the Parkview has also garnered notoriety from its mysterious stories of spirits that reside there, and confirmed by paranormal investigators.

For information, follow Owego’s Historic Parkview Hotel and Irish Pub on Facebook or call (607) 687-9873. A new website will be launched shortly.