Ben Mere Grill, Holly Cottage, Stacy's Smoothies

The Ben Mere Grill, located in the heart of Sunapee Harbor, is the sole surviving structure of the Ben Mere Inn and Runals Hotel properties. There are many visitors to the Harbor who remember this for burgers, gift items, or smoothies. With key location, it’s no surprise it is still being used for businesses today.

In 1955 the owner of the Ben Mere Inn, Jack Burney, understood the changing culture of tourists visiting the lake and decided to offer his hotel guests an option. He had Bill Stocker construct a smaller building in front of the hotel tennis court and called it the Ben Mere Grill. The Grill opened in 1955 with serving counters and stools, small tables, and big jalousie windows. It served 3 meals a day and late-night burgers on weekends.

In 1964 Burney sold the Grill to Eleanor and Bob Hill, owners of the Woodbine Cottage next door. The Hills refurbished the interior and changed the name to The Ice Cream Cottage. They served lighter fare here than in their restaurant but were open 11AM to late evening. The next year Eleanor Hill renovated the windows and turned the business into the Woodbine Cottage Gift Shop, featuring unusual gifts, ornaments, and cards. In 1968 the big hotel behind the building was torn down leaving only the gift shop as the last remaining part of the Ben Mere Inn.

In 2005 the gift shop property was sold to Soo-Nipi Realty Trust LLC. As a leased property, the building has seen a number of businesses over the years - a real estate office, the Sunapee Harbor Sweet Shop & Café, and Quacks take-out seafood. The building has been modified with a deck, different front doors, new windows and interior changes. Most recently the building was painted bright colors and happily serving Stacy’s Smoothies.

Barbara Bache Chalmers, Sunapee's Historic Buildings & Places Vol. 1 (Sunapee Historical Society, 1918 & 1919).