Century-Old Glen Lake Manor Readies For A Rebirth

For Susan Rife and her husband Robert, breathing new life into the Glen Lake Manor is a family affair and a labor of love. That’s because the historic inn with serene views of Little Glen Lake has been in her family for 70 years, most recently run as a fine dining restaurant by Susan’s late sister Nancy Wright.

Now they’re ready to revive the kitchen space and expand the operation to include restoration of the inn’s upstairs and the three cottages on the property. People are welcome to learn more at a meeting slated for the evening of Oct. 18 at the Empire Town Hall, where the Rifes hope to gather input and support from the public.

Actually, for anyone interested in utilizing the facility for private gatherings or using its commercial kitchen space for other culinary adventures, there’s no need to wait. “The kitchen, dining room and food service are all approved,” says Susan. Any interested parties can contact her here.

The Rifes own a medical practice in suburban Chicago. Susan is a family physician, and Robert runs the administrative side of the business. They plan to eventually sell the practice and move to the area. They’ve begun restoring the old family home across Little Glen Lake originally owned by Susan’s grandparents.

Susan admits she’s had her eye on the place for many years. “I approached my mom while in college in the 80s (about running the Manor). She said, ‘No thank you.’ So now it’s my chance to do what I always wanted to.”

Which might, or might not, include being completely hands-on. She’s looking to collaborate with a culinary professional. “I’m personally not looking to run a restaurant. But stranger things have happened.” Susan’s vision includes a marketplace with retail, grab and go foods, coffee and ice cream, and restoring the fireplace room as a lounge.

That covers the downstairs. The Rifes are looking now toward the large-scale renovation necessary to re-establish it as an inn. Their plans include renovating the 12 guest rooms and the manager’s suite upstairs required to operate the facility as a bed and breakfast. Three cottages on the property will be overhauled and equipped to serve as short-term rentals.

The Manor has been a fixture on Glen Lake for more than 100 years. It opened in 1906 as a hotel, the Cold Springs Inn, by lumberman John Biddleman. It became Ocker’s Inn when purchased by the family of the same name in the 20s. In 1954, Rife’s parents and grandparents bought it, renaming it the Glen Lake Manor. Under Wright’s ownership, it operated as the Manor on Glen Lake. Susan and Robert have chosen to return it to the original family name: The Glen Lake Manor.

In addition to the iconic inn, restaurant and cottages, the property includes 122 feet of frontage — and spectacular views — on Little Glen Lake, which could also offer boaters an opportunity to tie up and come on in. The Rifes see potential there to offer pre-packaged or quickly-prepared foods, ice cream and beverages to those who want to get a quick bite or simply resupply and get back out on the water.

They are being assisted in the venture by Caitlin Olmsted-Phillips, an adaptive reuse planner and preservationist from Ann Arbor. She’s helping guide them in how to best utilize the property. “It’s a social gathering space,” Olmsted-Phillips says. Special events (both public and private), happy hours, game nights, wine tastings and other activities are all on the board as possibilities.

She has her own connection to the area and to the Rifes. Susan’s grandparents purchased land in the area from D.H. Day, and Olmsted-Phillips is a descendant of Day’s. “We connected through friends who had heard of Nancy‘s passing and who knew what I loved to do,” she says.

The Rifes are cognizant of the challenges they’re facing. While the dining space could be ready on short notice, phase one renovations include the first-floor fireplace lounge and the cottages. They anticipate up to 36 months for the second phase: the extensive upstairs renovation and ultimately an elevator.

However and whenever it eventuates, the Rifes are already getting good vibes from the community. “Overall it’s been very positive. They’re glad we’re not tearing it down,” says Robert.

“There’s a lot of potential here, and a need in the community,” adds Susan.

Editor's note: A previous version of this story included an incorrect spelling for Caitlin Olmsted-Phillips. The owners note that while previously a fine-dining establishment, they are not proposing full service dining at Glen Lake Manor as was previously reported. Please check the Empire Township site for updates to the regular meeting and public hearing on October 18.