The Exeter Times-Advocate, 1965-06-03, Page 18This bright sign points the way to a fresh approach to
hospitality on Highway 4. The Shillelagh Motor Hotel, with
an official opening next Wednesday, offers accommodation,
banquet facilities, an excellent cuisine and an interesting
cocktail lounge. Entertainment is featured regularly.
Congratulations
to Jack and Cec
Best of Luck
on your new
enterprise
KEN CARTER
PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
Clandeboye 227-4349
Burke Electric
We were
pleased to
make the
electrical
installations
Electrical Contracting
Appliances, Motor Repair
Sales and Service
WINGHAM 357-2450
0=1
A
Lucan 227-4479
234-6382
Credi ton
EARL. 234.6312
Scott's
Elevator Ltd.
Earl Lippert
TRUCKING
After two and a half years
of p 1 an n in g, campaigning,
research, more planning and
building, Lucan now has its
first modern motor hotel
unit.
The Shillelagh was com-
pleted in early May and on
May 14 with the receipt of
its licence opened its doors
for the first time.
The official opening is next
Wednesday, June 9.
For Jack Ready and Cec
Lewis it has got to be a proud
day.
This climaxes a full year's
work for Jack and a heavy
investment by both of them.
The idea sprung to life in
the fall of 1963 when Jack
visited a similar establish-
ment at Clinton.
Both Jack and Cec looked
the situation over and three
excited days later had com-
mitted themselves to creat-
ing their own place in Lucan.
The first step was a liquor
vote to approve cocktail and
dining lounges for Lucan.
Lucan already had given the
nod to beverage rooms.
This was held a few short
months later on Jan. 14 with
a 75% majority in favor.
Next came the laborious
work of planning the building
and the organization. For
two men who had previously
nothing to do with hotels it
was a step into the unknown.
Jack Ready travelled for
a paint company and Cec
Lewis owned his own trans-
port business.
The first move was to
study other successful busi-
nesses. Jack says he must
have been in every hotel
between Windsor and Tor-
onto do the following six
months.
An accountant was called
in to prepare a proposed
budget, other proprietors
were consulted and gratui-
tous advice flowed in from
all directions.
The building was begun in
the fall of 1964 and finished
last March. There was a hope
that it would be done in time
to open on St. Patrick's Day.
However, the late spring
killed that dream.
It was the spring weather
that held up the finishing of
the grounds and interior that
became the greatest dis-
appointment.
The licence approval on
May 14, nor the opening day
June 9, will not be the end
of the work getting the busi-
ness established.
Both the happy proprietors
believe they will be working
through summer to bring the
hotel into smooth operation.
But they believe the big-
gest headaches are behind
them.
Need proven
in reception
Jack Ready and Cec Lewis
created the Shillelagh be-
cause they believed there
was a need for a compre-
hensive hotel and banquet
establishment in Lucan.
Their belief appears to
have been handily proven.
Before the building was
completed they were booking
weddings and the like with
only blueprints to show their
clients.
To date they have served
dinner to the county road
committee, turned away 11
people on Mother's Day after
packing the facilities, wel-
comed their first honey-
mooners (from New York),
and catered to two wedding
receptions.
This they say is far beyond
their expectations for their
first few months.
Another unexpected sur-
prise is liquor preferences.
By servicing a public from
as far north as Ki ppen and
south to London they find
they are called onfor almost
everything available. This
has meant a larger stock
than they had originally plan-
ned.
The Shillelagh is featuring
entertainment every week-
end and at the m oment
through the week as well.
—Please turn to page 11
Page 6 Lucan Shamrock (Exeter T-A) June 3, 1965
Irishmen get the 'Shillelagh'
SHILLELAGH VTIO°
our congratulations
We were happy to supply
the SUPERIOR BLOCK for
this structure
S UPERIOR CONCRETE PRODUCTS
(LONDON) LTD.
LAMBETH 652-3266
Your Hosts:
JACK READY
and
CEC LEWIS
Our very best congratulations
DON URBSHOTT
Hall & Urbshott Insurance
LUCAN 227.4881