Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Smiley Creek Lodge changes hands

Siblings purchase historic, 1950s-era restaurant and lodge

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By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

The ownership of the historic Smiley Creek Lodge has changed hands, confirmed one of the establishment?s three new owners on Monday. Allen Jones said he and his fellow Smiley Creek Lodge co-owners wish to maintain the original character of the 1950s-era establishment, which is 35 miles north of Ketchum on state Highway 75. Photo by Greg Stahl

The ownership of the Smiley Creek Lodge, long a popular stopover for state Highway 75, Stanley- and Sawtooth Wilderness-bound travelers, has changed hands.

The new owners—siblings Allen Jones, Ezra Jones and Amy Jones—finalized their purchase of the 1950s-era restaurant and lodging establishment on Jan. 3 of this year.

The private Smiley Creek Lodge is located about 35 miles north of Ketchum on state Highway 75 and is within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area.

Smiley Creek Lodge co-owner and Blaine County resident Allen Jones said he and his siblings decided to purchase the historic establishment out of concern for its future.

"We were afraid of this area getting overdeveloped and going private," Jones said.

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Since their parents purchased a Sun Valley condominium in the 1960s, the Jones family has spent most of its vacations in the area.

"I've always liked it," Jones said. "We thought we'd become a permanent part of the community."

Jones said he's learned that the current Smiley Creek Lodge began its days as a lumber sawmill in the 1950s. Sometime later a trailer park and roadhouse bar were developed on the four-acre property, he said.

Nearly 20 years ago, the trailer park was done away with. Today, the property has a RV park, store, restaurant and cabins and tepees for rent.

In the winter, the Smiley Creek Lodge has a thriving snowmobile rental business.

In the near future, the new owners don't have any major changes in the works. Longer term, however, Jones said he and his siblings envision "big changes," but he wouldn't any elaborate further.

Jones said whatever changes are eventually made to the Smiley Creek Lodge, the new owners will strive to stay true to the original character of the establishment and surrounding property.