Sawyer's sold, stays same

Sawyer's Dairy Bar has been sold, but will remain Sawyer's Dairy Bar said Larry Litchfield yesterday

Litchified, in partnership with his wife Pati, purchased the name, the land and the business from the Sawyer family earlier this week. Apart from what he called "some subtle internal improvements" and longer evening hours, there will be no change in the operation of what for many is as much a part of summer on the lake as bright sunshine and clear water.

Raised in Massachusetts, Litchfield graduated from the Tilton School and began his career in the restaurant business as a student at the University of Denver. During what he called "a varied career," he owned several restaurants in Maine before leaving New England for Florida. At one point Litchfield told his wife "if I ever buy another restaurant shoot, me."

But, last March, after moving to the Lakes Region three years earlier and reaching retirement age, the couple began looking for a seasonal business. "We looked at motels," Litchfield said, "but my wife was utterly opposed to that. Some friends mentioned Sawyer's and we closed the deal on Wednesday and transferred money on Thursday."

Along with the name, tradition and popularity of the business, Litchfield singled out the employees as the most important asset of the operation. "The Sawyers hand-pick four or five 14-year-olds each year," he explained. "They paid good money, gave out bonuses and graduation presents and these kids worked right through college, recycling every seven or eight years. In the spring, the phone rings and they ask 'when do we start?'", he said. "We're not about to change that either."

Litchfield said that beginning with the Fourth of July closing time for ice cream will be extended to 10:30 p.m., after ending food service at 9 p.m. to allow time to clean the kitchen. "Otherwise, as long as there is neon, Sawyer's will be Sawyer's," he said.