It’s been nearly 75 years since a fire stripped Easton of the famed Avon Hotel; and 70 years since local business man Arthur Johnson Grymes opened the doors to the iconic Tidewater Inn. Over the years, the Tidewater has become a landmark of downtown Easton welcoming guests from near and far to stay, dine, and celebrate life’s greatest events.
The Avon Hotel was destroyed by fire in 1944. The Tidewater Inn was built to replace the hotel and opened 5 years later.
“We have become the center of this extraordinary community where family and friends gather – whether it be a grand holiday buffet, a wedding, or an intimate gathering in Hunters’ Tavern,” Tidewater Inn General Manager Lauren Catterton said.
While the structure has remained untouched for the better part of seven decades, substantial improvements had been made to maintain the grace and charm of this iconic building under the watchful eye of countless owners.
The iconic Tidewater Inn in downtown Easton has been renovated over the past ten years to recapture and maintain its grace and charm.
In 2009, Coastal South’s managing partner, John Wilson alongside a group of local investors purchased the property with a vision to continue on with these restorative efforts and recapture the Tidewater Inn as “The Pride of the Eastern Shore”.
Over the past ten years, every square foot of the inns public spaces and ballrooms have been renovated along with the conversion of nearly half of the guest rooms from classic rooms to premier rooms featuring new furnishings, fixtures and layouts. Hunters’ Tavern was introduced to local diners bringing relaxed fine dining to downtown Easton, now under the culinary leadership of Chef Daniel Pochron.
Gusts have been welcomed to the Tidewater Inn lobby for 70 years.
With so much history to celebrate, Tidewater Inn is looking forward to an even brighter future. With plans in place through 2020, renovations encompassing more guest room renovations and a new concept for the 4th floor are still well underway under John Wilson’s leadership.
Additionally, the Tidewater Inn family continues to expand after purchasing The Inn at 202 Dover this summer. Located approximately one block from the Tidewater Inn, the addition of The Inn at 202 Dover will enhance the Tidewater Inn guest experience and the Easton community. Restoration efforts have already begun on the inn’s exterior, first floor interior and grounds with plans to open to the public in early fall. A grand opening celebration is slated for October of the newly named “Tidewater House”.
Tidewater House will open in early fall after restoration efforts are complete.
The Tidewater Inns is a proud members of Discover Easton. Visit them online atwww.tidewaterinn.com. For more information on Discover Easton, including ways to support the independent businesses community of Easton, visit www.discovereaston.com.
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