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Over 40 years ago, John and Florence Thomas began an incredible journey that centered around their beliefs and passion for serving others. They followed a vision based on the simple principle of servicing every customer in such an exceptional way that they walk away feeling a sense of family. Now in its third generation, Willow Valley hospitality is part of the Lancaster County landscape.
| 1966 | The Thomases open a 30-unit motel on Rte. 222, known as Willow Valley Inn. |
| 1967 | 100-seat restaurant is added and is known today as Willow Tree Restaurant & Smorgasbord, which seats 800 people. |
| 1968-1979 | Willow Valley Inn expanded to 170 rooms, 400-seat restaurant, Bakery and Gift Shop. |
| 1975 | The Willow Valley Golf Course and Willow Woods Apartments open. |
| 1980 | Willow Valley Square, Willow Valley Market and retail shops open and development of Willow Valley Estates – 67 homes. |
| 1984-1992 | The Willow Valley Retirement Communities are built and open offering 1,700 independent living apartments along with healthcare facilities. |
| 1986 | The Willow Valley Inn expands and is renamed Willow Valley Resort and Conference Center. The expansion included another 183 Guest Rooms, a second indoor pool, the Terrace Smorgasbord and the open Atrium, named Palm Court, for Sunday Brunch, weddings and banquets. The dairy farm adjacent to the Willow Valley Resort is purchased. |
| 1993 | The Willow Valley Wedding and Prayer Chapel is added to the Resort grounds. |
| 1997 | The Valley Forge 107-unit Hampton Inn and Suites and the Manheim 95-unit Hampton Inn, open their doors to Guests. Both properties are owned and operated by Willow Valley. |
| 1999 | The Willow Gables, luxury retirement villas open and receive National ‘Best in American Living award’. |
| 1999 | Terrace Smorgasbord undergoes renovations to include three meeting rooms for up to 300 people and reopens as the beautiful new Terrace Restaurant. |
| 2000 | Ground is broken for the Cultural Center, which is part of the Spring Run Retirement Community. |
| 2001 | The Centre Building guest rooms and pool undergo renovations. |
| 2002 | The Family Restaurant renovations are completed. South Wing rooms are renovated. New Indoor Water Playground opens. |
| 2003 | Willow Valley built a 16,000 sf medical office building at the Lakes Business & Medical Center. |
| 2003 | Willow Valley Retirement Community Cultural Center opens. |
| 2005 | The Homewood Suites Hotel in Harrisburg, PA opens. |
| 2006 | The Resort undergoes a $1.5 million renovation to the Palm Court, lobby and meeting rooms. |
| 2007 | The Resort completes renovations to 180 Guest rooms in the Atrium Building. The Hilton Garden Inn in Harrisburg, PA opens. |
| 2007 | Broke ground for a 72,000 sf medical office building at the Lakes Business & Medical Center – (opened Summer 2008) |
| 2008 | Diane Poillon is named President & COO, becoming the third generation of the Thomas family to serve as president. |
| 2010 | DoubleTree Resort by Hilton at Willow Valley opens, offering signature Hilton Hospitality with the home town Thomas family touch. |
