All,
It is an old axiom that everything is for sale if
the right buyer comes along. Such has been the case with the Lodge for at least
the past 15 years. There have even been some serious inquiries during that
time, including one corporate group. Looming economic issues in 2008 made them
reconsider.
I am well into my seventies now, still healthy
and not too senile and there are lots of things left that I would like to do,
including spending time with my seven grandchildren before they disappear over
the horizon in search of their dreams and aspirations.
Owning a top-notch lodge in Alaska, going fishing
every day, and rubbing elbows with some of the greatest people on the planet is
the best job in the world, and an enviable life-style. But it’s time to get
serious about some of the other things in life before it is too late.
In the past we have hesitated to openly advertise
the sale of the Lodge or even list it with realtors for fear of making our
loyal and treasured guests nervous. It was always our hope that a like-minded
investor would come along that would ensure a seamless transition, so the Lodge
could continue on just as it always has and one day several years later someone
would look up and say, “What ever happened to Captain Mac and Miss Patty?”
Finding that buyer is still our goal, but the passive phase, waiting for him or
her to show up, is changing.
With that in mind, we wanted you, our valued
guests and “Friends of the Lodge” to be aware of the attached ad that will be tested
in Boats and Harbors and perhaps other media, beginning next month.
It represents a new phase in our desire to sell, in that it is being
advertised for the first time.
There’s another reason for bringing you into the
loop: You know who we are. You are aware of our business philosophies and how
we operate. Our guests are successful people. You may know someone, or some
entity that would be interested in the Lodge that would appreciate and carry on
our traditions of Service and our quest for excellence.
In the meantime I wouldn't get too excited about
any differences in the operation in the foreseeable future. In this economy I
don’t expect people to come beating down the doors. Even if a buyer stepped up
tomorrow it will take many months to put together a sales agreement, and I
expect a transition period of at least a year, possibly more. Also, if we are
carrying any of the contract it will mean we will be watching our investment
very closely and monitoring management decisions for years to come.
So…now you know what’s going on if you see the
ads. Don’t worry. We are not going anywhere anytime soon and the hope is always
that we will find a buyer that appreciates the Lodge the way we all do.
See you in the summer,
Eat, sleep and fish
