By Kate Bartlett
The Bemus Point Inn is well known for providing great food and hospitality and continues a history of doing so that now spans close to 100 years. Originally developed as a tourist camp by Leon and Rubie Traynor in 1928, the property has long been a local favorite for tourists and locals alike.
Originally from Northern New York, the Traynors moved to Jamestown where Leon worked as a foreman at Empire Case Goods. During the challenging economic times of the late 1920s the family, inclusive of a young daughter Joanna and younger son Donald, decided to transition to property they had previously purchased in Bemus Point and begin a new venture. Along with them came many of the displaced workers Leon had worked with at Empire and, in return for room and board, they built twenty-one tourist cabins on the property.
Traynor’s Restaurant until retirement from the business in the late 1970s. The restaurant offered simple fare: hot dogs, burgers, French fries, milkshakes, ice cream sundaes and soda. (Pictured, Traynors Restaurant< circa 1946.)
The cabins were somewhat rustic but well-built by Jamestown craftsmen, and operated as an affordable family tourist camp. “They hosted many families for days, weeks, even months at a time,” explains Sarah Traynor Goebel, granddaughter of Leon and Rubie. “It was a very popular site in the area with families and fisherman.” The sites offered laundry, a commodity at that time, as well as a lakeside retreat from everyday life. “I have many fond memories of the cabins,” recalls Sarah. “I grew up on the property; it was beautiful.” Most of the cabins were sold off by the 1970’s, many as hunting camps.
Upon returning from World War II, Sarah’s father and Uncle, Donald Traynor, and Paul Winter joined Leon and built the restaurant in 1946, operating as Traynor and Winter for several years. Later sole ownership was transferred to Donald Traynor and his wife Maj-Britt who operated Traynor’s Restaurant until retirement from the business in the late 1970s. The restaurant offered simple fare, hot dogs, burgers, French fries, milkshakes, ice cream sundaes and soda. Always busy from morning to night and full of characters, the location was especially popular as a post-game meeting place for local high school students and others looking to enjoy live music, dancing, and one of the best jukeboxes in the area. To this day stories are told about how important the restaurant was to generations of local people.
Sarah also remembers a few jokes the restaurant was known for. “We had this spoon on a fishing string that would come down from the ceiling,” explains Sarah. “Sometimes, to joke with people, we’d purposely not give them a spoon, and when they’d ask, it’d come floating down from the ceiling.”
Sarah has been involved with the restaurant for most of her life. She learned how to wash dishes when she was six years old, and began waitressing at 12-years-old. Even though she’s retired, she still works as a hostess on Friday evenings, enjoying being involved in the community and the legacy her grandparents started. “They instilled a strong work ethic in me,” explains Sarah. “They did everything, from cooking to serving and cleaning, but they had fun too.”
Since opening 79 years ago, the restaurant has changed ownership five times, but has always been a family business. The current owners, Dave and Laurie Miller have owned and managed what is now known as The Bemus Point Inn restaurant for about 16 years, and completely renovated the property about 5 years ago. “The Millers have done wonders with The Bemus Point Inn,” compliments Sarah. “We’re so grateful to have had such exceptional owners take such great care of the restaurant over the years, respect the history, and keep the legacy alive while helping people make new memories each visit.”
For more information, visit bemuspointinn.com or visit the restaurant for all day breakfast, among other specials, located at 4958 Main Street in Bemus Point, call (716) 386-2221 and follow on Facebook.