Updates...
August 13, 2022
To say we miss Saturday nights at the Holly Hotel would be an understatement. The anticipation of a busy night... the attention to our menu and guests and our waiters’ timing... and is the music too loud? Are the new appetizers selling? It all came together, seamlessly, each and every night.
Here is an update on the renovations:
Patience has never been our strong suit and the process of this type of restoration can be very slow. Not much was able to be saved due to excessive water damage and mold and we anticipate working throughout the winter months with a targeted re opening date in June, 2023.
We have been consulting with experts specifically trained in historic design and preservation. We are excited about rebuilding with the authentic Victorian era flair the Hotel was known for.
You may remember that a movie crew filmed "Christmas at the Holly Hotel" the film is scheduled for release (with the premiere at the Redford Theatre) this December. More info to follow in the coming weeks. We hope to see many familiar faces at our "Red Carpet" event.
Most importantly, we would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who has called and all the wonderful cards and words of encouragement we have received since the fire.
Looking forward to welcoming all of you back, to enjoy Saturday nights again at the Holly Hotel!
Warmly,
Chrissy and George
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July 19, 2022
Today marks one month since the fire. It seems much longer.
The rebuild process will be a long one. Although we were damaged 35% by fire, the Hotel was damaged 100% by water and smoke. Everything will have to removed and pieced back together. It will extremely difficult to replace some of the woodwork, wainscot and trim that filled the building since almost all of it was vintage and old stock in 1978 and was tough to find then. The task just becomes more difficult, but doable.
Good change will be inevitable! The Hotel will be much more accessible for everyone and many improvements will be made in the overall efficiency of the building. Chrissy and I will be working with only the best and most talented contractors in Michigan who are experts in historic restoration.
We'll keep you posted!
George and Chrissy
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June 27, 2022
For Our Dining Club members and Holly Hotel Gift Card holders...
If you have a current Holly Hotel Dining Club membership (i.e. one that is valid from 6-1-2022 and beyond,) we will issue new memberships to everyone on the month we reopen. If you had a one-year membership, you will receive a new one year membership. If you had a two-year membership, you'll receive a new two-year membership.
If you have a Holly Hotel Gift Card, please know that our gift cards NEVER expire and will be valid as soon as we reopen.
If you had an event scheduled, we are, of course, unable to host your event. We just completed sending the first round of refund checks for any and all deposits you have made for your event. Please bear with us and accept our assurance that all monies will be refunded to you by check as quickly as possible.
If you have other questions, please email me at george@hollyhotel.com
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June 25, 2022
First, we would like to express our heartfelt gratitude for the THOUSANDS of emails, phone calls and text messages we received since June 21. More than 250,000 comments and views on social media was so much more than we expected. Again, we are extremely grateful.
If you had an event scheduled at the Hotel, you may have received an email or a phone call about what we are doing to assist everyone in their planning. If you have not, it is only because the volume of booked events was so large and we are working our way through the list. Be assured we will, eventually, respond to everyone.
We have already begun the process of returning the Holly Hotel to the glory she deserves. Security fencing has been installed around all of the affected areas and the Village asks that you be respectful of the barricades for your safety and the safety of others. Damage assessment is underway and structural engineers are reviewing the damage. Historic renovation is much more complicated than rebuilding at a new location and we have insisted that only the most talented and most qualified companies are utilized for the project. We will expect nothing but the best craftmanship for the restoration.
The timeline is yet to be determined. The scale and scope of the work will be meticulous and not rushed. Each time the Holly Hotel has burned (1913, 1978 and 2022) the resulting restoration and renovation added an additional dimension of authenticity and elegance to the building. This event will, undoubtedly, be the same.
Please know that any fund raising or requests for contributions for or to the Holly Hotel are NOT authorized by us. Any use of our name, logo, branding, images, photos etc. is strictly prohibited without prior written consent from out attorneys. Sadly, many sites have have been taken down on social media from people with misguided or inappropriate intentions. While we know the intentions are based in kindness, we cannot approve or monitor these sites. We will, however, be participating in the Oakland County Patronicity program for support and restoration fund raising for all involved properties. We will provide that information as soon as it is available.
Again, thank you so much for your support and loyalty.
George and Chrissy Kutlenios
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June 27, 2022
For Our Dining Club members and Holly Hotel Gift Card holders...
If you have a current Holly Hotel Dining Club membership (i.e. one that is valid from 6-1-2022 and beyond,) we will issue new memberships to everyone on the month we reopen. If you had a one-year membership, you will receive a new one year membership. If you had a two-year membership, you'll receive a new two-year membership.
If you have a Holly Hotel Gift Card, please know that our gift cards NEVER expire and will be valid as soon as we reopen.
If you had an event scheduled, we are, of course, unable to host your event. We just completed sending the first round of refund checks for any and all deposits you have made for your event. Please bear with us and accept our assurance that all monies will be refunded to you by check as quickly as possible.
If you have other questions, please email me at george@hollyhotel.com
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