GOOD-BYE SUZANNE

(Originally published Feb 6, 2015)

Have you ever loved a place you have never been to? Perhaps you've heard of stories and have seen pictures that have struck your imagination and curiosity? Or perhaps there is a place that you hold dear for what it represents and for the joy it brings to other people? This place for me was the late Chalet Suzanne located in Lake Wales, Florida. When I heard of the recent news of its closure, I was deeply saddened. Not only because I may never have the chance to visit this historic 84-year-old institution, but also because a valued piece of Old Florida, a 5-generation-family-owned and operated business, an award winning, and a National Registered Historic place, will all be auctioned off to the highest bidder come February 27th-28th, 2015. Everything from the 130+ acres it sits on, to the fine china and silverware that once served their homemade soup and exotic meals will soon belong to new owners.

As sad as it is to see this place sold off by the family that created it, I remain hopeful that a buyer may restore this Florida Treasure in order to continue its famed legacy.

To the Chalet that captured my heart: I may have been too young and too far away to have known your comfy state rooms, to have enjoyed your scenic landscape or to have swam in your spring fed lake. I may have been too uncultured to have indulged in your famous moon soup (actually taken to the moon by Apollo 15 and 16) or to have witnessed your "World's Largest Ski-Jump", but perhaps someday, someone will bring you back to life. Someone with the same love, care and energy the Hinshaw family showed you throughout the years. When and if that day comes, I will be the first on your books, looking forward to the day Old Florida was once again sweeping across that lonely ridge.

TIMELINE:

Originally called the Carleton Club with a vision to create a magnificent residential resort by cheese magnate James L Kraft and Carl and Bertha Hinshaw.

Kraft bowed out of the development.

1931: Carl Hinshaw dies and Bertha opens home as Inn and restaurant for guests

1943: The Chalet was largely destroyed by fire. Hinshaw used scraps from existing buildings on site to rebuild the structure. The result was a unique design which had 14 different levels.

1946: Carl Hinshaw Jr opened cannery on property allowing the Chalet to start selling their signature soups worldwide.

1973: After many years of success, the Chalet was featured in many publications including: The New Yorker, Vogue, Life, Better Homes and Gardens, Cosmopolitan, National Geographic, Forbes and Time magazines. Bertha passed away at the age of 90.

1990: The Chalet Suzanne was added to the US National Register of Historic Places

2002: Named to Florida Trend's Golden Spoon Hall of Fame. It consistently earned the Ledger's highest ranking of 5 stars.

2014: Hinshaw's announce retirement and closure of The Chalet Suzanne.

2015: Items go to auction

2016: Current owners Eric and Dee Hinshaw turn down offers from housing developers, hoping someone with a grand vision buys the property.

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