| |
~You and me
and baby make three~
Bruce & Tobi welcomed
daughter Hillary to the family in October, 1989. After working and
living on-premise for almost 10 years the Ahlquists set out to find
a weekend family refuge. They fell in love with Findley Lake, NY
and bought a lake-front cottage where they spent every weekend. Two
years later, believing it to be the perfect location for a
year-round bed & breakfast, they set sights on the private residence
that is now home to the Blue Heron Inn. The Ahlquists purchased the
house in 1995, closed the Jefferson House operation in early 1997
and opened the Blue Heron Inn later that same year.
Now 16 years
old, Hillary has grown up in the family business. She works as a
snow board instructor at nearby Peek N' Peak each winter and helps
out in the family business each summer.
Bruce, Tobi, daughter
Hillary and their staff of professionals await your arrival with
warm and gracious hospitality. Come find out for yourself - every
day is a pleasure in Findley Lake!
 ..
Nostalgia at the Blue Heron Inn is proud to debut a beautiful, new
clothing line from the folks at Utah-based Lost River Trading
Company. In addition to hand-batik sarongs from the Island of
Bali, the clothing collection features a colorful array of
dresses, skirts, wrap pants, tops, jackets & stylish, hand-beaded
items. Lost River Trading Company specializes in the design &
import of a stylish, colorful line of casual women's clothing.
They practice fair trade with the artists and crafters they have
discovered in the destinations of Guatemala, Ecuador, Peru,
Bolivia, Mexico, Thailand, India, Nepal and Indonesia. Rest
assured that they only purchase goods made by workers paid fair
wages in acceptable working conditions and none of their goods are
produced by child labor. Additionally, their business supports
village people in communities where families are in desperate need
of work to feed their families. Their hands-on collaboration and
partnership with the communities who produce their fashions
means that you can feel good when you purchase an item from Lost
River Trading Company!
Niche Nominee 2000 & 2001
Selected by Niche Magazine as a Top Retailer of American Craft
Nominee
 Prior to remodeling the main Inn the
Ahlquist's renovated the adjacent
red barn (at the back end of the parking
lot) into prime retail space. Tobi transformed the 2nd floor into
a whimsical shopping experience called
Nostalgia.
The shop specializes in an eclectic array of gifts & candy ranging from
"retro" to "new age". The toys and games, right out of the
1950's & 60's, include such items as metal jacks, marbles, color forms,
tin toys & robots & more! The candy counter will bring back plenty
of childhood memories; from wax lips, paper dots & sugar daddies, to nik-l-nips, flying
saucer wafers & rock candy!
Nostalgia
is also a showcase
for a variety of American artists who specialize in hand-crafted jewelry,
leather accessories, hand-blown and stained glass objects d'art. The
shop also features Tobi's silver.fox.creations line of hand beaded
jewelry, sun catchers & more.
 Artists currently represented include:
Double Space-custom stacking ring sets
People of the Sun-jewelry
Play of Colors-dichroic & stained glass sun catchers
Feather Spirit Jewelry-gold & sterling silver jewelry
Katya's Baltic Amber-amber jewelry
Sergio Lub-copper bracelets
Seeds of Light-semi-precious gemstone gifts
Leaf Leather-hand-crafted leather accessories beautifully stamped with
leaf impressions
Heartwood Creations-secret boxes & more
Woodstock Chimes & Percussion Instruments
Songs of the Wind Chimes- gemstone chimes
Nostalgia
also offers a
wonderful selection of spiritual & new age accessories including Austrian
crystals, tumbled gemstones, tarot cards, lucky bamboo, incense, oils,
sarongs, scarves, wind chimes, natures music & greeting cards.
Be sure to venture up the stairs-
Nostalgia is shopping at its most fun & imaginative!
Antiques FOR Sale
Eastlake
Parlor Set
1865 EASTLAKE 6-PIECE
PARLOR SET - includes 1 settee, 1 platform rocker ,
1 arm chair , 3 side chairs
Click to
enlarge...
Handsome chip-carved walnut, tapestry upholstery --
both in excellent condition. This gorgeous set was
lightly used in a former bed & breakfast & has been
waiting for a new owner who will appreciate its
unique beauty. It is unusual to find a matching
6-piece set of Eastlake-style furniture.
For more information or to inspect please contact:
Tobi @ Blue Heron Inn
P: 716.769.7852 v E:
stay@theblueheroninn.com
Link to Regional Dining
 ..
Winter '07 Hours
Restaurant:
Thurs & Fri: lunch: 11:00 am - 2:30 pm; dinner: 5:00 pm
Sat: breakfast: 9:00 am; lunch: 11:00 am; dinner: 5:00
pm
Sun: breakfast: 9:00 am; lunch: 11:00 am
Nostalgia, the Shop:
Wed: by chance
Thurs, Fri, Sat & Sun: 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
By appointment: please call -- I will be happy to meet
at your convenience
Link to the
menu
 Each morning breakfast is
served to guests in the first floor dining room.
 The Inn also
serves breakfast and lunch to the public- hours vary by season and,
depending on the time of year, may require a reservation. Chef
Bruce is well-known for his homemade quiche & multi-grain French
toast ~ the in-room comment books attest to the fact that they're
the rave among previous guests! The lunch menu's sandwich offerings
include an awesome Reuben sandwich, a real Philadelphia cheese steak
& a smokin' catfish grinder; salads abound and a vegetarian menu is
available for those who prefer their fare meatless. Bruce uses
only the freshest ingredients, all meals are lovingly prepared to
order and best of all the kitchen is deep-fryer free!
...
FINDLEY LAKE,
N.Y. --Among life's pleasures, few can surpass an exquisitely
prepared al fresco dinner on a warm summer evening. Adding to our
delight was the glistening body of water in clear view. Such was the
experience I enjoyed last weekend with my wife, Judy, and our dinner
companions, Dawn and George Levin. Our 90 minutes on the 3-week-old
deck at the Blue Heron Inn in Findley Lake ranks right up there with
similar occasions in places like California, Quebec and Costa Rica.
The Inn proprietors are Bruce and Tobi Ahlquist, who for 14 years
operated the Jefferson House bed and breakfast in Warren, Pa. In
1994, 2 years after purchasing a getaway cottage in Findley Lake,
they noticed that the village was "undergoing a renaissance of
sorts, with new shops opening up," said Bruce Ahlquist. That's when
they decided to purchase the 1905 Victorian house at the northern
end of the lake and transform it into a combination bed and
breakfast with restaurant. Thanks to the efforts of Bruce Ahlquist
and others, Findley Lake recently ended its "dry"days. The Inn
received its liquor license only a month ago, so wine and cocktails
are available, but not beer. The modest and varied wine list offers
six by-the-glass selections. I ordered a glass of California
Pepperwood pinot noir to go with the Whole Earth salad that Judy and
I divided. It's accurately described in the menu as "a healthy mix
of sunflower seeds, walnuts, raisins and mushrooms on a bed of fresh
greens." We selected a tasty homemade cracked peppercorn dressing.
We shared with the Levins a delicious appetizer of three potato
pancakes topped with applesauce. And I simply had to try the
homemade New England clam chowder. The creamy broth had a perfect
consistency, and I enjoyed every spoonful.
Judy nursed a glass of Dewars on the rocks through her dinner, bones
-- of baby back ribs slathered in Bruce Ahlquists homemade barbecue
sauce s and chicken combo, and we both found the ribs to be mighty
tasty. I learned later that Bruce parboils the ribs before grilling,
which makes them quite tender. One companion's grilled salmon filet,
topped with a light citrus sauce, more than satisfied her taste for
seafood. Grilled with the skin on -- most likely to keep the filet
from falling apart -- the fish separated easily from the skin and
was quite tasty. Nicely seasoned coleslaw arrived with each entrée,
and three of us selected attractively done grilled potato quarters,
while George Levin opted for a baked potato.
I was sorry to learn from our quite competent server, Erika
Achenbach, that the Jewish apple cake wasn't The Ahlquists are open
to requests and suggestions as they continue to develop the dinner
menu, which doesn't yet appear on the Inn's informative Web site.
Prospective visitors should also know that they can visit the Blue
Heron at dinner time and still order more modest food from the menu
of signature dishes and deli sandwiches. Items in this category
include homemade quiche, beef burrito, Philly cheese steak and a
Reuben sandwich. But I'm most intrigued by something called Meshugna
--thinly-sliced corned beef, coleslaw and Russian dressing atop
potato pancakes. It's safe to say I know what I'll be eating on my
next weekend drive to Findley Lake. Sounds like it would go well
with the incomparable lake view.
FLOYD LAWRENCE reviews restaurants for the Weekend section of the
Erie Times-News.
"At the Blue Heron Inn, seasoned
innkeepers Bruce & Tobi Ahlquist get everything right. They even
scatter issues of Wine Enthusiast & other niche magazines throughout
their B&B. When you make your reservation ask for the Lake View
room, which affords the best view of Findley Lake and a comfy
queen-sized bed. Be sure to take a quick walk around the lake to
allay any doubts that the world isn't a friendly place- everyone here
offers a neighborly hello."
Long Weekends Magazine
Spring/Summer 2003
 "The Blue Heron Inn is a
two-year old eatery and bed and breakfast establishment that
operates out of a charming old house that overlooks tranquil Findley
Lake in New York's extreme southwest corner. An eclectic mix of
music, which included Joni Mitchell and Simon & Garfunkle while we
were there, perfectly complements the rustic landscape full of
flowers and flowering shrubs that pay homage to the old heron
weathervane atop the Blue Heron's Attic gable. The Blue Heron's menu
runs a partial international gamut with selections such as burritos,
Greek salads, Middle east plate, an antipasto, gyro and Hoisin Duck.
We began with an appetizer of marinated artichoke hearts and half
rack of baby back pork ribs. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to
sample the Hoisin Duck which was crisp on the outside, moist and
tender on the inside, accompanied by a sweet- tart Hoisin sauce on
the side. My dinner mate ordered the grilled salmon. moist and meaty
topped off with an herbed citrus sauce. If you're in the mood for a
bit of exercise afterwards, you're allowed to peek in on the
unoccupied guests rooms on the second floor. Walk through the lobby
with its oriental carpet, flowers and plants in the homespun baskets
and up the wooden staircase. With names like Rod and Creel, Lake
View and Garden, you might suspect country furnishings tastefully
done, which is precisely what you get."
Erie Times News
Summer-1999
"The picturesque
lake and village of Findley Lake, NY has become a regional
destination for visitors and vacationers alike. The anchor of this
lake is the Blue Heron Inn. The view from almost any seat at the
Inn's cafe' was in sight of the water and provided a panoramic view
of dwellings clustered around the lake. The Inn" menu has a very
wide array of selections to choose from; we found the range of menu
selections to be gratifying and somewhat eclectic. A delightful
combination to accommodate almost any tastes, we especially note the
vegetarian selections. We began by ordering an appetizer of Humus
with pita bread- crushed chick pea pate with flavorful spices served
with warm pita bread. We enjoyed the Middle Eastern plate which had
spiced ground lamb kebobs, a dollop of humus and a small Greek salad
accompanied by grilled pita bread. Another choice we savored was the
pan-fried trout- lightly breaded and seasoned with basil, dill &
olive oil. Outstanding coffees and a sumptuous variety
of delectable deserts abound."
Lake Erie Magazine
January 1998
|
Guest
Quotes...
I was a cold 21 year-old
from Florida who was seeing snow for the first time.
Thanks
for rescuing me - I appreciate your kindness and will remember this
beautiful place forever!
Lorissa M.
Your hospitality
is second to none - and that us a tribute to the entire staff of
the
Blue Heron Inn!
Marlene & Roger M.
Can we keep the
bed - it was the most comfortable in the land. We actually
saw
a blue heron!
Daryl
Our return to the Blue
Heron Inn was just what we needed. It was beautiful
watching
the sun come up over the lake while in the sitting room.
Enjoyed returning to some of my favorite shops!
Cathy & Chuck W.
|
 |
|
