The Beacon Restaurant at the airport was a long time institution in the area from its start in 1948 until the building was taken by the State in 1985 for the new terminal and parking lot. See the Beacon Restaurant Forced to Close entry in this collection for more on the closure process.
The undated cover photo is likely from the early days in the late 40's or early 50's. It was found on the "You're from Rutland, VT if..." Facebook site.
The Beacon Restaurant was a very popular venue for weddings, banquets, class reunions, association meetings, and other functions. How large the facility was is not known but events with 150 people were common and one wedding noted there were 225 attendees. It was also a public restaurant and held its own events hosting bands and other live music, though it seems that for much of its history it being an event venue was a larger share of the business than as a standalone restaurant.
The restaurant opened May 8th 1948. The owners were Rutland County Sheriff Geno N. Franzoni (1902 - 1955) and his wife Mabel Catherine (Germon) Franzoni (1909 - 2006). After Geno's death the restaurant continued but by late 1957 it appears to have ceased operations as evidenced by a lack of newspaper mentions.
In August 1961 the Beacon was bought by John Wesley Conant (1906 - 1974) and his wife Joanna "Jayne" (Mainolfi) Conant (1925 - 2014) and the business resumed operations. It appears the business sold in the Spring of 1975 as evidenced by a license hearing notice that was posted by the then Town Clerk Mae Belle Byrne.
The final owners of the Beacon Restaurant were Eugene Allen Fredette (1930 - 2001) and his wife Alma J (Bruce) Fredette (1930 - 2008)
Below is a sampling of ads placed in the Rutland Daily Herald over the years:
May 7, 1948 Grand Opening. Note they advertised having a television which was likely an attraction in an age where television ownership was far from universal.
July 16, 1948 - The restaurant is in full swing with dining & dancing every night.
June 3, 1950 - A Mini Golf Course has been added.
Jan. 7, 1956 - The Bel-Aires with Stu Dumas, one of the bands being advertised.
Sept. 25, 1975 - Smiley's Smiling - an ad likely in conjunction with the change to the Fredette's ownership.
Oct. 31, 1977 - A Super-Screen TV added, something few people would have had access to to back then.
In 2001, there was a new Beacon Restaurant opened in the airport terminal. Only a few mentions in the Rutland Herald were found which suggests the venture was not long lived.
We very much would appreciate any photos of this restaurant.
Comments about the restaurant from the historic society's Facebook page:
- From Jane McLaughlin:
Loved this place!
- From Janet Keefe: John
Conant’s parents ran it when I worked there as a teen. I think it was
for a wedding reception. Had to have been the sixties. Anne Greenwood
Southard would know as I believe her father still ran the airport at
that time.
- From Rebecca Wilson: Yes John (Sr) and Jayne Conant were owner/operators in 1960s into early
1970s. Do you remember the mounted buffalo head? I believe it was still
on the wall later when Mike and June Fredette took ownership and
offered dinners and dancing.
- From Bev Brown: GREAT times were had there. Many friends and memories made.