Fairhaven Inn & Events makes debut during weekend bridal show
Laura Bentley transforms event space at former Village Inn
Photos by Tom Rivers: The Fairhaven Inn & Events team includes, from left: Faye Conley, day of coordinator; Laura Bentley, owner; and Katie Stiegler, marketing manager.
GAINES – Laura Bentley has given an inn going back more than 200 years a new look.
Part of the former Tillman’s Village Inn has been repurposed into Fairhaven Inn & Events. The restaurant and bar continue at the site as the Tavern on the Ridge, run by Chad Pike and Julia Hopkins.
Bentley owns the former Village Inn, acquiring it from Mark Tillman.
“I firmly believe in investing in our community, trying to do better in our county,” Bentley said. “I’m very fortunate my family had a business allowing me so many connections in the community.”
She is also owner and president of Bentley Brothers, a Kubota dealership in Albion and Brockport. That business is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, including a big bash on May 31 at Fairhaven Inn & Events.
This past weekend Bentley gave the public its first look at the transformed former Village Inn. Fairhaven Inn hosted a bridal show with 14 vendors.
They saw a space where the carpet was torn out and replaced with new flooring, and a much brighter interior painted in white with black trim. Bentley also put in new bathrooms.
In the spring, a separate staircase will be added leading to the events space.
She sees Fairhaven hosting wedding receptions, annual meetings for local organizations, and many other special events. Fairhaven is conveniently loated right in the center of Orleans County, Bentley noted.
The vendors at the bridal show were impressed with the changes at the site.
“It’s beautiful in here,” said Brenda Radzinski, representing the Cobblestone Museum which rents its church out for weddings. “What she’s done with the space is amazing. It’s bright and open.”
The Cobblestone Museum over the years has hosted many weddings with the reception then at the Village Inn. Bentley would like to continue that arrangement. Fairhaven could host the receptions. Pike of the Tavern on the Ridge is the preferred caterer for events, but Bentley said people can hire someone else.
Sara Flansburg, owner of Blissetts Speciality Shop, brought many wedding gowns to the bridal show. She also rents out suits and tuxedos for men. She said Orleans County is fortunate to have several wedding venues.
Flansburg said Bentley was able to incorporate modern and rustic in the look at Fairhaven.
“This is a very good destination venue,” Flansburg said. “It’s always nice to have another place to recommend. It gives people another option. You want people to have multiple things available that are close to home.”
Fairhaven includes a telephone booth with an audio guest book where people can leave recorded messages for the newly married couple.
Bentley also owns the Fairhaven Inn which includes a bridal suite and seven other rooms. Bentley bought the inn in January 2022 and renovated all eight rooms with new flooring, paint and bathrooms. She also renovated two houses at the Bridges in Carlton. The Cottages at Oak Orchard are guest rentals.
The bridal suite is among the eight rooms available at Fairhaven Inn.
