Deal for Resort Rumored
Concessionaire at Yosemite won’t confirm Tenaya Lodge purchase

by Sanford Nax
The Fresno Bee, May 21, 2001

Buffalo, N.Y.-based Delaware North, which runs the motels, stores and other retail services in Yosemite and Sequoia national parks, is looking into the purchase of Tenaya Lodge in Fish Camp at the edge of Yosemite.

The company that began as Emprise 85 years ago with popcorn stands and expanded into racetracks, sports concessions and airport food service has been in a growth mode in park and resort acquisitions in recent years.

Renamed Delaware North, the company moved into national parks in 1993 with the high-profile Yosemite concessions contract. Since then, it has won contracts at Sequoia National Park, California’s Asilomar Conference Grounds and elsewhere.

Although the word is that Delaware North has already signed a purchase agreement for the upscale resort, Wendy Watkins, a spokeswoman for Delaware North, would say only that "rumors are rumors until they are finalized."

"We’re constantly evaluating opportunities that could be a good strategic fit," Watkins said. "It’s a beautiful and unique property and has always had an outstanding reputation for quality and customer service. If there is a new owner, I’m sure they will position it as the key and important property it is in the gateway community around Yosemite."

At the resort itself, Joe St. Laurent, rooms division manager, said, "We can’t comment on anything." Asked about the hotel’s current ownership, he would only state that it is owned "by a group of investors." It is managed by Destination Hotels & Resorts.
Through his staff, Jonathan Farrington, general manager for the hotel, also declined to comment. He was appointed general manager in January after serving as the resort’s director of sales and marketing for three years.

The hotel’s Web site states 2000 marked the "best financial year of the property’s 10-year history."