The Willow Valley Story
Founded in 1965 by the Thomas family, Willow Valley has established a solid reputation as a leader in the hospitality, retirement and property management industries. Each person on the Willow Valley Team is dedicated to living its vision and mission through their words and actions. Willow Valley is a family of diverse companies, all built on the same foundation of quality, integrity and strong Christian values. Although individually operated, each company is connected by commitment. Commitment to the services and products it provides, to the guests it serves, and to the talented staff it employs. It's that same commitment that has been the cornerstone of Willow Valley's success.
Founded in 1965 by the Thomas family.
OUR MISSION: To be premier in all business endeavors by creating an environment that provides a positive experience for its Guests and Team Members.
BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY: We will be a strong organization because we glorify God by serving Him, seeking His will daily, and showing Christian love and respect to others at all times. We will do this by reaching for the highest standards of quality and integrity in every area of service, every facility, every product and every resource we provide to our Guests, Customers, Residents, Community and Team Members.
| 1966 | The Thomas' open a 30-unit motel on Rte. 222, today known as Willow Valley Resort & Conference Center with 342 Guest Rooms and banquet facilities for up to 1,000. |
| 1967 | 100-seat restaurant is added and is known today as Family Restaurant, which seats 800 people. |
| 1968-79 | 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. |
| 1984-92 | 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. |
