It’s out with the old at Lake’s Roadhouse and in with the new — starting with a new name: Kiski River Lodge.
When the pandemic forced a prolonged closure of their business, co-owners Wanda and Rick Lake of Loyalhanna Township rolled up their sleeves and got busy renovating their motel, bar and restaurant, nestled along the Kiski River in Parks Township.
“We gave it a new name because it’s like a rebirth,” said Wanda Lake, 63. “Everything is new, and we feel great and like the way it turned out.”
The Lakes have owned the business since 2004, taking over what was known as the Golden Lounge. Located at 2847 River Road, the property features a motel with 11 rooms.
The couple spent about $100,000 remodeling. The interior dated to the 1950s, and Wanda Lake said the black floor, for one, was due for a change.
“It’s brighter, and everything is more modern,” she said.
Kiski River Lodge officially reopened last weekend.
“It’s good to see our return customers, and we’re seeing a lot of new customers,” Wanda Lake said. “Our clientele are businesspeople and people looking to enjoy kayaking and canoeing on the Kiski.”
The Lakes commissioned local artist Mark McClure to create three large-scale murals, with scenes of Kiski River landscapes, as part of the upgrade. The bar and dining area have been outfitted with 10 new televisions and Wi-Fi. More than a dozen craft beers are on tap alongside wines. Friday nights will feature live music, and Saturdays are karaoke night.
Wanda Lake does the cooking and baking. They tweaked the menu to feature more casual fare, adding pizza, custom salads and sandwiches and moving away from traditional dinners, but keeping her well-known desserts. “My coconut cream pie and apple dumplings are popular,” she said.
“The fish sandwich is big. I hand-bread it, and it’s fresh cod. It’s ‘Wandafied,’ ” Wanda Lake said. “I do it all here. Cook, clean, maid, bartend, waitress — and you can’t leave it, because it doesn’t run without us.”
The Lakes referenced one family that booked the entire motel for a weekend last year, for a nature-filled getaway with friends enjoying recreational pursuits on the Kiski River.
The Lakes, married 45 years, made the six-month construction project a family affair, enlisting help from sons Ricky Jr. and his wife, Karen; Jamie, their other son; and daughter Lacey Lake Foreman and her husband, Justin Foreman.
Rick Lake, 63, a retired crane operator and mechanic, can repair or renovate anything, said his son Ricky Jr.
“My parents are the hardest-working people I have ever experienced,” Ricky Jr. said. “My parents have always put their family first in everything they’ve done. Running a business has been a challenge for them with many ups and downs.”
The couple said the pandemic has been “stressful” and they’re excited to reopen.
“We lost a lot of money — at least $50,000, and it was a tough one,” Wanda Lake said.
Rick Lake said he’s proud of the metal work on the expanded bar. “I just wanted to make it a relaxing and enjoyable atmosphere,” he said.
Kiski River Lodge opens at 4 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays.
