Pullman landmark will be replaced with more hotel rooms, new dining facility
Moscow Pullman Daily News on 7/12/2012
The Hilltop Restaurant and Inn in Pullman will look different in 2013.
A groundbreaking ceremony Wednesday marked the beginning of the Hilltop Inn Remodel and Addition Project. Soon after, demolition began on the 60-year-old Hilltop Restaurant to make way for a new building containing 56 more hotel rooms for the inn.
Barb Wachter, longtime co-owner and general manager of the business, said the restaurant will be rebuilt on the property. Although the new facility will be smaller than its predecessor, the iconic view of Pullman will remain the same.
"It's been a landmark for a long time, so we're developing the property," Wachter said of the business she and her husband, Ron, have owned for 33 years. "We saw the need, and the time is right."
The restaurant rebuild is part of a renovation project, scheduled to be completed in February. The project will also bring upgrades to all the existing hotel rooms, constructed in 1996, to make them match the new units. The current rooms will be revamped with new carpets and paint.
"We're excited. We are going to have a wonderful structure with lots of amenities for our customers with a great view," Wachter said.
The Hilltop Restaurant closed its doors in May after providing one last meal for the local regular customers.
"We have a lot of very loyal local people. We had a celebration, a closure celebration, and it was amazing how many people came out, to have one last meal or one last drink," Wachter said.
Wachter said she has many fond memories of the old restaurant that housed countless reunions and wedding parties, including both of her daughers' weddings.
The restaurant and inn also hosted the "Cougar Coaches Show" for 10 years.
"The people have been wonderful that we've met, and a lot of people come back," Wachter said.
Although the Hilltop Restaurant was once called the Hilltop Steakhouse, Wachter said she plans to keep the current name for the new building.
Photos and information about the remodel can be found at www.newhilltopinn.com.