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POTTERSVILLE - Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the Wells House in Pottersville is about to be re-born, resembling the historic hotel it once was.

Paul and Shirley Bubar bought the building in December of 2003, hoping to open by July of 2004. That goal was a year too early, and the Wells House will open to the public on Aug. 1.

The Wells House, built in 1845 by Joseph Hotchkiss and Joshua Collar, was a classic Adirondack landmark for many years. At the turn of the century, city vacationers would travel by rail to Riverside Station where they would be met by stagecoaches and carried to the Wells House for food and lodging. From there, they would often embark on one of the steamers for a ride up Schroon Lake to one of the many hotels located on the lake. The Bubars are assembling old photos and posters for the hotel's "history hall," documenting different events that occurred in the area throughout the hotel's history.

"It was never a fancy hotel," Shirley said. "It was for travelers. We've designed it now for sports people and Adirondackers; sturdy like it belongs here, but not too ornate."

The old Wells House had 22 rooms for guests, and they shared a single bathroom on each floor. The new Wells House has 10 rooms, each with its own private bath. The rooms are also equipped for high speed internet access and cable television.

The former dining room and parlor of the hotel is now the Brookside Place restaurant, run by chef Tony Jones and his wife Ann from Myrtle Beach, S.C. The restaurant will be open to the public and Tony describes the menu as "upscale, casual dining without the upscale prices." He will be offering varied menu, with specials each day. Brookside Place will be open for lunch and dinner, Monday through Saturday, and soon will be offering a Sunday brunch as well.

"We want people to be able to come here often," Jones said. "Not just once in a while for an expensive special occasion."

The new Wells House will be alcohol-free, an idea whose time has come, the Bubars say.

"This is geared for families," Paul said. "We're perfect for a family reunion, or a gathering of any kind. If people want alcohol, they can go up the street to the Black Bear."

The rooms all have stained glass transoms over the doors and either king or queen size beds. A honeymoon suite is on the second floor and the Adirondack suite is on the third. Each room is defined by its color, like the green room, or the lavender room. On each floor, there is a set of connected rooms for families.

The Wells House will not be completely finished when it opens. The sun porch on the second floor will eventually become a public sitting room and the far end of the building, which was in the worst condition, will become a coffee shop.

"That was leaking like a sieve when we bought it," Paul said. "When it opens, it will have over 1,600 square feet of space for customers or conferences." The coffee shop will also be equipped for WiFi.

Locals who remember the old Wells House would remember the large moose head that was mounted over the bar. That moose, which Paul said was shot in 1934, will be enshrined in the history hall.

The Bubars have already received bookings for a bridal brunch and rehearsal dinner and are ready to take reservations at 494-5995. They are planning to upgrade the Wells House website for booking online at thewellshouse.com.