After 80 Years, White Pines Resort Is Permanently Closing
Beth George has been running the resort for the last 32 years, but the limitations imposed by the COVID-19 lockdown have forced her to file for bankruptcy.
A little more than a half hour's drive from Rockford, White Pines Resort is located inside White Pines State Park in Mount Morris.
George announced Wednesday that the state's restrictions on large gatherings due to COVID-19 forced her hand.
"Every event that makes me money is over 50 people like weddings. My model is built on that. The Dinner Theater holds 150 people. If I have 50 people, I am losing money. I can't even host one," said George.
The resort is only open seasonally and to avoid being a year behind in income, George filed for bankruptcy.
"So then next year I would lose an entire year of income because I would do every wedding at a loss. So there is just no win," said George.
The closure leaves hundreds without a summer spot, 45 employees and an owner without a job.
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