Nestled on Lake Malone — where Muhlenberg, Logan, and Todd counties converge — sits Shady Cliff Resort, a waterfront restaurant and lodge with something for everyone. Owensboro native Ken Crandall recently sold the property to Raven and Will Dodson after performing several renovations.
Raven is a Muhlenberg County native, while her husband Will is originally from North Carolina. The two are retired veterans and had been developing a business plan for over a decade when the opportunity to purchase Shady Cliff arose.
“We were both in the military and have traveled worldwide,” Raven said. “We had been dreaming up this business plan for several years. We saw the resort was for sale and reached out to Mr. Crandall. Everything has happened so fast, and all our plans over the last 10 years are coming to fruition.”
The restaurant typically operates on a seasonal basis, but Raven said they have plans to be open year-round. They opened the doors last weekend with a small menu, highlighted by their locally renowned catfish and a Four-Star General Muhlenberger, named after the county’s namesake.
The menu also features loaded lake fries, pulled pork nachos, and weekly specials such as prime rib and salmon.
“We’ve done a lot to the restaurant, and we hope our events will spur a desire for us to be open more than just the summer,” she said. “We’re starting with a simplified menu to acclimate ourselves and our staff so we don’t overwhelm anyone.”
The recently renovated 24-room lodge is fashioned after a Hilton Hampton Inn and features several amenities. There is also a 2-bedroom condo available for rent and a new event center suited for weddings, reunions, showers, private parties, and more.
“We’ve cleaned the rooms from top to bottom and side to side to ensure everything is up to standard and as perfect as can be,” Raven said. “We’re also partnering with local extension offices in surrounding counties and 4-H clubs to offer fish, wildlife, and boating clinics.”
Other big news includes converting the former bait shop into a country store with severely locally-sourced crafts and goods. The country store will also feature eight ice cream flavors and several more goodies for boaters, anglers, and entertainment enthusiasts alike.
Shady Cliff Resort is located at 530 Lake Malone Road in Lewisburg, Kentucky. For more information, follow them on Facebook here.
