Our 2020 Legacy Business of the Year, Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel, has built a legacy of hospitality service to our community. This family-owned business has hosted our most memorable community events and helped to shape and develop our business community.

The Genetti family's local history began in 1904, when Damiano Genetti left his home in the Tyrolean Alps (present day Italy), to begin a new life for himself and generations to follow. Trained as a butcher, he began selling his freshly cured beef door-to-door daily from his horse-drawn wagon. Eventually, his hard work ethic led to an eighteen-store supermarket chain owned and operated by his sons (until it was sold in 1967 to Victory Markets). In addition to sharing his knowledge of food preparation, he shared with his sons the importance of community involvement, honesty, and dedication, before he returned to his homeland shortly after World War I.

?In 1950, his son, Gus Sr., and his wife, Della, ventured into the hospitality field by opening the Gus Genetti Hotel and Restaurant in Hazleton. Once they developed a business renowned for fine food and service, they expanded the family enterprise further by purchasing the Redington Hotel in Wilkes-Barre in 1963. Passing his talent and expertise on to the next generation, Gus Sr. sold his interest in the Wilkes-Barre property to his son Gus in 1971 and his interest in the Hazleton property to Gus' Bill, in 1973. In 1976, both of parents, Gus Sr. and Della passed away.

 Expanding further, in 1975 they acquired the Lycoming Hotel in Williamsport and developed Genetti Manor in Dickson City. Bill improved and expanded the original property in Hazleton.

?As of to-date, the Genetti Hospitality Group is comprised of the Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel and Conference Center (Wilkes-Barre), the Genetti Hotel and Suites (Williamsport) and Genetti Manor, a catering facility in Dickson City. In each of these markets, the Genetti family has maintained a strong presence in the hospitality field, including the largest being in Wilkes-Barre, seating 1,800 people in one ballroom.

?Although many things have changed since the years of the horse-drawn meat wagon, the dedication to food quality and the importance of service instituted by Damiano Genetti is still evident and maintained by the Genetti family today. The fourth generation of Genetti's is hard at work in the food and hospitality industry, with the mission of: "To be the Leading Provider of Hospitality Services - Dedicated to Exceeding Guest's Expectations and Values."

Make sure to join us for our Chamber Annual Dinner on November 19th at 4 PM LIVE on Facebook and YouTube to celebrate Best Western Plus Genetti Hotel and the rest of our honorees that night! Click here to register today!