WEIRS BEACH LOBSTER POUND
Mr. & Mrs. Charles and Avis Baroody were the original owners of the Howard Johnson Restaurant back in the 50’s. Open only from May to October, the Baroody's operated the restaurant, living in the cabins on the back of the lot. In an agreement made with the owner of the Weirs Beach Drive-In, the Baroody's had a perfect view, complete with a speaker, of the the Drive-In screen from the porch of their cabin.
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The early years...
Mr. & Mrs. Charles and Avis Baroody were the original owners of the Howard Johnson Restaurant back in the 50’s. Open only from May to October, the Baroody's operated the restaurant, living in the cabins on the back of the lot. In an agreement made with the owner of the Weirs Beach Drive-In, the Baroody's had a perfect view, complete with speaker, of the the Drive-In screen from the porch of their cabin.
The ideas that started it all...
Avis Baroody truned ownership of the restaurant over to her daughter and son-in-law, Carol and Earl (Skip) MacLean in the early 1970's. Tthe Macleans expanded the restaurant, attaching an old railroad station which became known as the Gandy Dancer Saloon. 1973 saw the addition of the Lobster Pound where Skip designed and installed a barbeque pit and an ingenious steamer to cook lobsters.
The Maclean’s sold the restaurant to Lou Gaynor and Harvey Chernin in 1984. On October 7th of that same year, a fire destroyed the restaurant and saloon leaving only the Lobster Pound which was a screened-in, stone floor structure. Lou & Harvey rebuilt a new building attached to the Lobster Pound in time for the 1985 summer season which saw the conception of Bike Week vendor space on the property.
The Lobster Pound now...
The fall of 2006 marked the start of a major remodeling project of the entire facility. With the opening of the newly completed facility in May of 2008, a new Lobster Pound era was born. The brand new building with double decks and spruced up grounds kicked off Bikeweek at the new Lobster Pound. It was evident right from the start that great food, outstanding entertainment would be the latest hallmark of the Lobster Pound. 2008 was undeniably a great success thanks to the efforts of the Ray family and the entire staff. Weirs Beach and the the lakes region finally has an entertainment venue that is top shelf.
Over the years that have come and gone and even amidst all the alterations, Skip’s lobster steamer is still in operation.
As an annual event since 1923, what began here with four vendors is now a major economic boost for Weirs Beach and the lakes region area that lasts for nine days in June . The Lobster Pound property now hosts 75 major vendors and exhibitors from all over the country. 2009 marks the 86th Anniversary of LACONIA BIKE WEEK and the 36th anniversary of the Lobster Pound.
Weirs Beach Lobster Pound
