The historic Chalet Suzanne Restaurant and Inn closed its doors six months ago, leaving behind lasting memories for everyone from the rich and famous to everyday people.
Now some of the memorable pieces that made up the Chalet are up for auction. The two-day auction at the Chalet will feature everything from lamps to antiques to airplanes.
The world-renowned restaurant and Inn sits on more than 130 acres. That land is also on the auction block, and so far the interest has been coming in from all across the country.
Ronald Loos and his wife, Andrena, came all the way from Illinois.
“What some people are saying is they’ve seen things in these chalets that they remember," he said, "and they would like to have a piece of that history and want to buy that and say, 'Oh I stayed in the Chalet that this was in.' ”
Auctioneer Scott Oglesby said the auction is sure to be like no other he’s ever experienced.
“This is something that is a very rare once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Oglesby said.
That’s why Ron Bauman and his wife said they had to take advantage of the auction.
“The lamps and some of the older stuff, some of the pictures we’ve looked at,” he said.
Both couples said they were guests at the Chalet Suzanne in its heyday. They all remember the winery, the soup making and the long list of celebrity guests.
Even if they can’t take home an airplane or a piece of the property the landmark sits on, they’ll always have their memories and maybe a lamp if they win a bid.
At 11 a.m. on Friday, auctioneers plan to sell the actual property first and then the personal property after that. If you can’t make it to the auction in Lake Wales you can always place your bids online.