Normandy Inn in Minerva sells at auction

Kelsey Davis, The Repository
·1 min read
The Normandy Inn in Minerva, which has been operating for more than 80 years, is sold at auction as an established turnkey business.
The Normandy Inn in Minerva, which has been operating for more than 80 years, is sold at auction as an established turnkey business.

MINERVA − The Normandy Inn has a new owner.

Scott Hawkins, who was bidding online while his sister and best friend were on hand as his representatives, was the winning bidder at the auction held Thursday by Kiko Auctioneers.

The historic two-story building at 114 S. Market St. in Minerva Village in Carroll County, has a turnkey restaurant business with a liquor license, kitchen and bar plus equipment transfer with the property sale and outdoor patio. Also on the property is a two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment that went with the sale.

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Rae Fry hugs granddaughter Charlie Galley, 11, with husband Tom Fry to right after their business, The Normandy Inn in Minerva, is sold by Kiko Auctioneers.
Rae Fry hugs granddaughter Charlie Galley, 11, with husband Tom Fry to right after their business, The Normandy Inn in Minerva, is sold by Kiko Auctioneers.

The auction, run by Douglas L. Milano, kicked off promptly at noon with a starting bid of $180,500 and lasted until 12:20 p.m., when Hawkins put in the winning bid of $270,000.

Previous owners Tom and Rae Fry were on site to watch the auction. Rae Fry was emotional throughout the bidding and after the sale, while Tom Fry said he was happy with the result, joking “I’m going to be on this side,” pointing to the patron side of the bar.

Douglas L. Milano, Auctioneer/Realtor with Kiko auctions The Normandy Inn in Minerva, which has been operating for more than 80 years.
Douglas L. Milano, Auctioneer/Realtor with Kiko auctions The Normandy Inn in Minerva, which has been operating for more than 80 years.

The sale of the Normandy Inn included everything “as is,” with the Frys staying on to help train the next owner.

They said their hope is for everything to stay the same for the sake of the community.

Hawkins couldn’t be reached for comment, but Milano said that when the two spoke after the sale, Hawkins, who is originally from Minerva but currently residing in Pennsylvania, said he plans to continue running the restaurant.

Rae and Tom Fry, the last owners of The Normandy Inn in Minerva, stand close by as their established turnkey business is sold at auction.
Rae and Tom Fry, the last owners of The Normandy Inn in Minerva, stand close by as their established turnkey business is sold at auction.

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Normandy Inn in Minerva auctioned, buyer says it'll stay a restaurant