Community Corner

King George Inn Contents to be Auctioned on Dec. 17

More than 250 years of historic fixtures and memorabilia from inside the King George Inn will be auctioned on Dec. 17.

 

The Kist Auction Company has advertised a Dec. 17 auction of all items -- down to the bare walls -- at the landmark King George Inn in South Whitehall Township. Doors open at 10 a.m. for preview and the auction starts at 3 p.m. 

The ad reads: After 256 years the doors are closed forever! Antiques - including two bars; Collectibles - old stained glass windows, promotional posters, photographs including but not limited to sports (some autographed), political, movie, UK Royal Family; Lots and lots of memories like menus, plates and promotional pieces. See pictures of items for sale here.

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The King George Inn is at 3141 Hamilton Blvd. Closed in August, it was a historic landmark and favorite destination for fine dining in South Whitehall.  and operated the restaurant at the corner of Hamilton and Cedar Crest boulevards.

In August, McDermott closed the restaurant abruptly - leaving a sign on the door that read: We're sorry. The King George Inn is now closed for business. Thank you for your patronage the past 42 years.

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Since closing, there have been multiple offers on the property, which is listed at $1,399,000, according to Bill Plasha, chairman of the commercial group for Prudential Patt White.

"Of the 80 properties I currently represent it is the hottest," Plasha said. "There are a lot of people in the restaurant industry looking at the site - the majority of them are looking to keep the building."

The King George Inn was built in 1756, and even before the Revolutionary War, it was serving weary travelers. It has been designated a National Historic Site by the National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

The land surrounding the inn, where a Burger King and video store once operated, was recently purchased by Hotel Hamilton LLC. Plasha said there are no civil engineering or design plans under way because the company will bank the land for now. He also said Hotel Hamilton has not bid on the property and has had only "very light discussion" about it "that hasn't materialized into anything." 


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