HAWLEY, PA — The Genzlinger and Ehrhardt families have announced that The Settlers Hospitality Group will acquire Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort in late October or early November 2015.

The Genzlinger family has owned and operated The Settlers Inn in Hawley for more than 35 years, and more recently, along with family member John Shuman, has established a collection of local hospitality and lifestyle businesses including Ledges Hotel, the Hawley Silk Mill, Cocoon Coffee House, Mill Market and Lake Region Fitness.

They will purchase Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort, a third-generation family business on Lake Wallenpaupack, from co-owners Eric and Craig Ehrhardt.

“In today’s world so many businesses sell because they have to. We’re selling because we think this is the right thing to do for our family and our staff,” said Eric Ehrhardt. “This is a win-win for the local economy as it represents growth in the hospitality industry as well as more employment opportunities for local people.”

Managing partner Justin Genzlinger, whose parents, Grant and Jeanne, opened The Settlers Inn at its current location on Main Avenue in 1980, said, “We are excited to combine our families’ expertise, with more than 100 years of Northern Pocono hospitality experience, to create the premier boutique lodging, wedding and restaurant group in the region.”

The newly formed hospitality group will keep all of the Ehrhardt family—Craig, Sue, Ashley, Steve and Eric—in key management positions. In addition, the current staff will remain intact and have opportunities to benefit from expected growth.

The Genzlingers’ plan is to invest in renovations to Ehrhardt’s original inn, motel, cottages and restaurant to position the facilities for the future. Plans include upgraded hotel amenities, landscape improvements and significant additions to the pool and lakefront activities.

The goal is to complete all renovations by May 2016, when the property will relaunch as The Silver Birches Resort, which was its name from 1928, when George and Rachel Singer built the inn, until the late 1980s when the name was changed to Ehrhardt’s.

Until its re-launch in May as The Silver Birches Resort, the property will remain open and will operate throughout the renovation process as Ehrhardt’s Waterfront Resort.