Gateway Lodge: Instilling New Life in a Cook Forest Treasure

Aly Delp

Aly Delp

Published February 9, 2020 5:50 am
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COOKSBURG, Pa. (EYT) — Gateway Lodge, a longtime integral business in the Cook Forest area, has gone through a transformation over the last few years.

Since 2006, the daily operations and maintenance at the lodge located along Route 36 in Cooksburg have been managed by owner Deb Adams, along with her daughter and son-in-law, Jody and Ernest Fesco.

Born in Johnstown, Adams grew up with three brothers. Her mother was well-versed in traditional farming and housekeeping, and her father worked for the Bethlehem Railroad.

Hunting, fishing, and foraging were part of her family’s way of life.

Adams told exploreClarion.com that opportunity and hard work led her on a path to her own entrepreneurial endeavors.

By 2006, Adams had a well-established retail business in Grove City, but “her interest in hospitality and her love for Cook Forest” supported her decision to purchase the Gateway Lodge property and relocate to the area as she then transitioned out of the retail scene.

Gateway Lodge’s accommodations include 23 suites, each with their own gas fireplace and jetted tub, plus four recently-remodeled guest rooms called the Gallery Rooms, which include a rainfall shower in each and heated bathroom floors. Also on the property are 12 cabins, ranging from family-sized to romantic options for just two.

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<p>According to Adams, purchasing a property that had existed and evolved since 1934 meant more responsibility than she could have ever anticipated — with the property requiring repairs, rebuilding, and improvements. Early on, many investments were “behind the scenes” improvements that helped improve the integrity of the buildings.</p>
<p>In more recent years, she has been able to invest in ways that improve the aesthetic of the Lodge.</p>
<p>In 2014, the second story of the original log cabin was completely renovated, deconstructing eight small rooms, and rebuilding this space into four larger bedrooms called the Gallery Rooms. The rooms comprise of reclaimed wood material and barn-style sliding doors and showcase a gallery of historical photographs and illustrations of the area.</p>
<p>In 2016, construction continued with the demolition of two cabins and the construction of two new Luxury Cabins providing a romantic and beautiful space for couples celebrating.</p>
<p>Each of the newer Luxury Cabins includes a loft bedroom with a queen bed, a living room, kitchen and bathroom with dual shower-heads, and a jacuzzi tub on a screened back porch. An outdoor deck was also uniquely crafted with a campfire ring for extra creature comfort.</p>
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