A popular Orcas Island resort has partially reopened after it was sold to new owners.
Rosario Resort and Spa, which temporarily closed and laid off employees in late February, was purchased on April 8 by Empower Investing, according to county property records.
Chris Robison, the founder of Empower Investing, said the purchase was the first phase of multiple purchases for the 84-acre piece of land that abuts Moran State Park.
The resort features the Moran mansion, Moran Lounge, Spa, Museum and Mansion Restaurant. The mansion and spa are closed for extensive repairs while the hotel and marina are open.
Robison is an Orcas Island resident and said he was excited for the opportunity to help preserve the history of Moran mansion and the resort, adding he and his wife love historic properties.
Robison said there was a lot of traction for summer bookings at the hotel and marina, even though the mansion and restaurant remain closed.
He was tightlipped about when those attractions may reopen.
“We’ve got to go through a permit process and things might change,” Robison said on Wednesday, April 17. “I don’t want to set expectations out in public … I’ve got a lot of plans in my head and things in the works.”
Robison said they were still working on hiring.
Moran Mansion was built in 1906 by Robert Moran, a shipbuilder and former mayor of Seattle. Its life as a resort started in 1960 when Gil Geister opened the waterfront mansion to the public after he purchased it by using the funds from the sale of his bowling alley and hardware store.
For the past 16 years, Rosario Resort was owned by Jerrel Barto and his son Craig Barto after they bought it at auction.
The resort is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Annie Todd is CDN’s criminal justice/enterprise reporter; reach her at annietodd@cascadiadaily.com; 360-922-3090 ext. 130.
