The Lake Crest Inn is slated to become the only business to win Lake George Village’s Beautification Award two years in a row, says Mayor Bob Blais.

If owner Derek Shepanzyk has his way, it will be a three-time winner next year.

Shepanzyk, who also owns the Cedar Brook and O’Sullivans motels, recently completed another round of renovations at Lake Crest, which he says is the Village’s oldest, intact motel.

Last week, the remodeled inn was formally re-opened for the season with a ceremonial ribbon cutting.

“The Shepanzyks have made a significant contribution to the ongoing improvements on Canada Street,” said Michael Consuelo of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce.

In 2010, the family renovated the dock area and many of the rooms. This year, a log façade, echoing the motel’s original log structures, was added to the restaurant and a new, hand carved sign replaced one decades old.

“We were 50% over budget, but we’re very pleased with the results,” said Derek Shepanzyk.

Lake Crest in the 1950s

According to Shepanzyk, he and his wife are looking forward to retiring and turning the management of their Lake George properties over to their two daughters, Pauline and Agnes.

Pauline, who has a degree in hospitality from SUNY Delhi, is now the general manager of the inn.

“We chose to rename the motel the Lake Crest Inn because it better conveys the level of service we offer and the quality of the resort,” said Pauline. “And, we’ve re-opened the restaurant, which motels typically lack.”

The restaurant, which is open to the public for breakfast, is managed by Agnes Shepanzyk.

“We helped open an organic bakery in Naples, Florida last winter, and we’d like to introduce more organic foods to Lake George Village as the restaurant expands,” said Pauline.

Pauline is pursuing an advanced degree in health care and plans to open a health counseling service at the inn.

Now that she’s moved to Lake George and become a permanent resident, she’s anxious to become more involved in the community, especially the community of Canada Street business owners.

“I love Lake George; I think there’s a lot we can accomplish if we work together,” said Shepanzyk.