By IAN ROSS
For 30 years, Dryden's Riverview Lodge has built up a stellar word-of-mouth reputation for elegant dining.
The lodge has been the place to be to host anniversaries, weddings, banquets, retirement parties, press conferences and travelling dignitaries.
Located on the banks for the Wabigoon River, the almost 100-year-old hotel has been the focus of two entrepreneurial couples, Barry and Suzanne Scherban, and Jordon Railian and Susan Durance.
The rustic vertical timbers, oak floors and brick fire places in the main dining room were once the residence of Dryden Paper Mill manager's E. Bonsfield residence in 1910.
When the partners took over in 1977, the place had seen better days. It was a rundown boarding house with shared washrooms. Over the years, the two couples have invested close to a million dollars to bring it up to current building standards. They built a patio lounge and renovated the guest rooms. Barry handles the kitchen and its prime rib speciality, Jordon does the up-front promotional and administrative duties while Suzanne and Susan do everything else from waiting tables, tending bar, hiring staff and working banquets and meetings.
"It's quite amazing the people that come here to celebrate their anniversaries from 50 years ago," says Railian, "and how many were married here and have wedding pictures."
Over the years, they've hosted Stephen Harper, Paul Martin, Stephane Dion, Governor General Adrienne Clarkson and Lt. Governor-General Lincoln Alexander.
A new spinoff of the business is the house oil and vinegar dressing. Hagen's Salad Dressing was originally sold years ago in Red Eagle gift stores across northwestern Ontario. They've revived the product and are distributing it across Canada and into the United States. But after three decades, the owners say it's time to sell the lodge.
"It's due for some new blood," says Railian. "It's a lifestyle and it's open 24-hours a day, seven-days a week."
