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EAGLE RIVER, Wis. (WSAW) – Thirty-five years after taking over a decades old Eagle River getaway, the owners plan to keep the resort in the family for generations to come.
The soon to be nine cottage The Last Resort, off Otter Lane, opened in the 1940s. But in 1982, the Char Lou Resort, as it was previously known, was in bankruptcy.
That is when John Lumley, then a Chicago based TWA pilot ended up staying there with his family after their July 4 camping vacation was rained-out.
The next morning, after seeing the water surrounding the property, he decided to buy it, in part, to make a difference in the lives of people going through a tough time like he was.
"I said ‘Hey, I found this beautiful place’. This is my last resort. I come here to heal and feel better and find joy. And it worked out," Lumley said.
In 1988, John married Carol Lumley, and they have continued running The Last Resort together.
When the couple is ready to retire, their daughter Lizzie Lumley, who is the resort’s general manager, and her new husband resort maintenance director Zack Lumley, will take over as owners.
“Thirty-five years and hopefully more than that,” Lizzie Lumley said. “Our goal is to keep it going as long as well possibly can. And hopefully our kids will run it one day.”
Zack Lumley took the family name when the couple was married on June 16, 2018.
A weeklong stay at the last resort will starts at about $900.
