Geneseo’s Big Tree Inn reopens after several years
Photo courtesy of Photo Editor Faith Zatlukal
After being vacant for several years, Geneseo's Big Tree Inn at 46 Main Street has finally reopened, with a large turnout on Friday, Oct. 18, including Livonia residents and SUNY Geneseo alumni.
The inn had been a landmark on Geneseo’s Main Street for over 130 years. The Big Tree Inn was previously owned by Allen Ayrault, his wife, Bethia, and their two daughters. It was called The Big Tree Lodge formerly. Livingston County News states, “The Ayraults were prominent and influential citizens of Geneseo, with Mr. Ayrault president of Livingston County Bank and credited with making Geneseo the county’s center for commerce. After his death in 1861, Mrs. Ayrault continued to live there until her death at age 93 in 1885, according to a history of the property compiled by the Association for the Preservation of Geneseo.”
On Feb. 18, 2022, the Big Tree Inn went on the market for the initial asking price of $1.1 million. Before the inn was put on the market, it was temporarily closed from August 2020 through December 2020 due to operations being restricted in response to coronavirus.
SUNY Geneseo’s non-profit organization, Campus Auxiliary Services (CAS), has owned the building since 1998. According to Livingston County News, CAS officials stated, “divesting the organization of the Big Tree would allow the non-profit to focus on its core mission of supporting the college and for members of the Geneseo community to build upon the long legacy of a historic property.”
April Haynos, a SUNY Geneseo alum and Livonia resident, on her involvement with revitalizing the inn commented that they’re “excited to bring the well-loved business back to Livingston County,” according to Livingston County News. When Haynos was a student at Geneseo, she explained that she remembers using her meal plan money at the Big Tree Inn. Haynos continued, “Obviously, there are so many memories for so many people in this building, and for us to allow them to make new memories here is very exciting,” as per Livingston County News.
The current schedule for the inn is as follows: lunch and dinner are served from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday through Saturday and from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm on Sundays. The inn is owned by Joseph Bucci Sr., co—owner and CEO of American Rock Salt, and his business partners. Bucci has also served on the Geneseo Foundation Board, and he and his wife are alumni of SUNY Geneseo, graduating in 1966. Haynos and her business partner, John Stranko, are leasing the property from Bucci and partners.
According to the Big Tree Inn website, the inn is available to book for the public and allows event inquiries, tours, and reservations. The inn has eight rooms, and they are described as “each exuding its own distinctive charm and character, ensuring that every guest experiences a stay unlike any other.” For events, the website explains that they host weddings, showers, birthday and anniversary parties, fundraisers, corporate meetings, community events, and more. Although the building has not been reconstructed yet, the new interior renovations appear welcoming for any event, reservation or stay.