69传媒

Ruetsch and Vinny Lobdell are the new owners of the historic Skan Ellus Drive In, which opened for the season Friday. They purchased the business from the Johnson family in August, and spent the months since making $500,000 in improvements. Along with a fresh coat of paint and some big plans, the family destination features a new sign and logo that drops the hyphens from its name.

鈥淲e want to keep the nostalgia but give it an upgrade with a new, clean feel," Ruetsch told 69传媒.

Ruetsch, who's active in real estate and owns Printing & Promotional Solutions in Syracuse, said taking over Skan Ellus was on his mind for a long time. He's friends with Mike Johnson, and when the family was ready to sell they gave him and Lobdell the right of first refusal. The two were joined in the purchase by minority partner David Stewart, of Baldwinsville, a frequent collaborator with Lobdell.

"I've been lucky. Most of my investments are centered around making a positive impact," Lobdell told 69传媒.

"I like the idea of what we're doing," Stewart added. "It will serve as a destination. It's beautiful out here."

In order to keep what the owners called a community treasure, they've leaned on Trudy Vargason, its general manager. She's been at Skan Ellus for 35 of its 57 years, she told 69传媒, seeing many familiar faces and even multiple generations of families there. As Ruetsch and Lobdell made their improvements, they've valued her ability to keep them focused on what's most important.

"The bottom line is: It's about making the customers happy and feel comfortable," she said.

A family destination

Skan Ellus 鈥� which takes its name from the towns it falls between, Skaneateles and Marcellus 鈥� is a staple for local families. Its new owners are no exception.

Ruetsch's local roots are strong, with聽his parents coming from 69传媒 and his wife's parents settling in Skaneateles from Ohio. As a child, the restaurant was located between his family's home in Camillus and Owasco Lake, where they frequently spent time. He remembers his trips there fondly, he said. There was something special about the ice cream, and he loved the burgers as well.聽

Stewart likewise remembers coming to the restaurant as a child, as it was located near his grandparents' place on Otisco Lake.

Lobdell, a Pulaski native, didn't go to the restaurant growing up, but noted that his wife was excited when he told her that he and Ruetsch had purchased Skan Ellus.

"It's a great area to do business in. Skan Ellus fits perfectly in that," Lobdell said. "We want to reinvest in these businesses that have been in our community for so long. It's part of our heritage."

鈥淭his is where our families are from," Ruetsch added. "It鈥檚 not just our generation, but generations before us and, hopefully, several in the future.鈥�

Building for the future

Ruetsch said Skan Ellus won't be reinventing the wheel when it comes to the ice cream he remembers having as a child.

The restaurant currently has eight flavor bursts for its soft ice cream, and about 30 flavors of hard ice cream. The new owners are open to changing flavors based on how they're received.聽

They also hope to add more specialties to Skan Ellus this summer, such as聽chicken spiedie barbecues and fresh lobster rolls.

鈥淲e鈥檙e looking for a lot of feedback from our customers," Ruetsch said. "We want what they want."

Additions won't be limited to the menu: Ruetsch and Lobdell plan to build a playground, dog park and wrap-around deck to make the restaurant even more family-friendly.

The latter could be built as soon as May 1, the owners said, as they're working with the town government on permits.聽

"Skan Ellus has been something that's been there forever. It needed some TLC," Lobdell said.

"Our goal was not to change what people love. It was to enhance the space and make sure it existed for the next 50 years."

Asked whether Skan Ellus would ever expand, Ruetsch said the thought has never crossed his mind.

"That鈥檚 part of the mystique that is Skan Ellus," he said. "It鈥檚 one location. It鈥檚 seasonal, and people get excited, amped up about the countdown to when it鈥檚 opening."