The popular Laf-A-Lot bar and restaurant has new ownership and a new lease on life at Loon Lake in Wayland.
Former owners Ed and Paula Kauffman sold the 100 Laf A Lot Road business to Loon Lake cottage owners Chuck and Joanne Cavallaro in March 2026.
“This was not in our game plan, but it fell into our laps and we decided we can do this,” Chuck Cavallaro recalled.
The couple, family members and neighbors wasted little time in embarking on a rebuild of the existing bar and restaurant, which was originally constructed in 1977.
“The next day (after the sale closed) I was at the bar with a crowbar and a hammer, and we started taking stuff apart,” said Chuck Cavallaro, a semi-retired medical doctor.
Dr. Chuck Cavallaro has practiced emergency medicine for about 30 years, the last 25 at Rochester General Hospital.
Even so, he calls himself a “frustrated contractor” at heart. Repairing and reviving the Laf-A-Lot gave him all the opportunities he needed to flex his contractor muscles as he assessed every nook and cranny of the building.
“Every time I turned the corner there was another ‘Oh my God’ moment,” he said. “Or ‘You have to be kidding me’ moment.”
Preserving, building on the history of the Laf-A-Lot
The Laf-A-Lot has been a cherished gathering place and hangout for more than 100 years.
Original owner William Folts began construction in 1921 and the grand opening was on May 27, 1922.
The business has been popular with Loon Lake cottage owners, Wayland-area regulars and newcomers who enjoyed discovering its welcoming ambiance, signature pub food and enticing cocktails, like the famous Blue Whale.
The Cavallaros’ cottage is on the north end of Loon Lake, about eight or nine doors away from the bar, which has been closed since last December.
“Even though you would think of the Laf-A-Lot as a lake destination bar, it’s more of a community bar,” Joanne Cavallaro said. “There is a lot of history in this place and a lot of memories.”
The Kauffmans, the former owners, were thrilled they were able to sell the business to a couple that “understand the Laugh-A-Lot” and are committed to preserving its character.
“It going to be exciting for the area and the lake. We are proud of Chuck and Joanne, and we are going to support them every way we can,” Ed Kauffman said.
Another former owner, Ray Young, has been a valued sounding board, Chuck Cavallaro said, offering both advice and encouragement.
Young owned the business from 1990-2021. Young was followed by Kyle Tracy (2021-24) and then the Kauffmans.
Everything stays local in extensive Laf-A-Lot rebuild
Laf-A-Lot customers will essentially walk into a brand new bar and restaurant when the renovations are complete.
There will be a new bar and a larger kitchen with updated equipment.
The old floor was replaced and a new roof was installed. The old furniture was tossed out and will be replaced. The building’s east wall was stripped and rebuilt.
The parking lot was redesigned and improved. The removal of trees and brush created an upper level plateau on the property where the Cavallaros plan to place cabins.
“The best part of this is all the work that is being done on the property, including where I am buying my kitchen equipment from, everybody is a local,” Chuck Cavallaro said. “Everybody who drinks at this bar and eats at this restaurant has a hand in it.”
Loon Lake neighbors have shown up, volunteering their time and muscles to the rebuild, the Cavallaros said.
The project has moved forward at a brisk pace, even though unpredictable spring weather has posed challenges and forced slow-downs at times.
The Cavallaros have documented the rebuild on the Laf-A-Lot’s Facebook page, where the remarkable transformation can be traced in photographs capturing each step of the project.
Chuck Cavallaro said, “It’s all local love that is helping rebuild this place. That’s the message.”
When the new Laf-A-Lot will open and what to expect
The new Laf-A-Lot is on pace to reopen sometime in June, according to the new owners.
“What we are doing is bringing the local dive bar back to life in the modern age,” Chuck Cavallaro said.
Plans are for the business to be open year-round, six days a week, from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m.
Chuck Cavallaro said the restaurant is keeping the traditional fare customers have enjoyed for years. Some of Chuck’s and Joanne’s favorite Italian dishes will pop up as specials occasionally.
“We just love to cook,” he said.
Email Neal Simon at nsimon@gannett.com. To get unlimited access to the latest news, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: Rebuilt Laf-A-Lot has new lease on life as Loon Lake bar reopening
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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