The Lakeshore Resort at Huntington Lake has been sold to a new owner. Image via Google Earth

The sale of a historic mountain resort in Fresno County might bring the revitalization locals at Huntington Lake have been hoping for.

Documents filed with the Fresno County Recorder’s Office show that husband-and-wife duo Levon Nargizyan and Agavni Ashikyan out of Sherman Oaks now holds the deed of trust for Lakeshore Resort, acquiring it from long-time holders Melinda and Stephen Sherry.

The 32-acre complex of restaurants, A general store, RV park and 28 cabins dates back to 1922, when it was built for workers at the hydroelectric dam. It has been closed for the past few years, according to Bob Comstock, president of the Condo Association at Huntington Lake and chairman of the High Sierra Regata.

Multiple calls to Nargizyan as well as the U.S. Forest Service were not returned. The Forest Service has to approve permits once the sale is complete.

Comstock said he’s spoken with Nargizyan and is excited about the plans he has to revitalize the once-popular destination.

“Everybody on the hill is excited about restoring Lakeshore to its original grandeur,” Comstock said. “We’re all looking forward to a place where residents can go to the restaurant and go to the bar.”

The Sherrys purchased Lakeshore Resort in 1987 after it shut down, according to the resort’s website. The L.A. Times reported that the sale price at the time was $75,000. During the 2020 Creek Fire, flames destroyed at least one building, the L.A. Times reported. A current sale price could not be confirmed.

Also filed recently with the Fresno County Recorder’s Office is a notice of intent to transfer the Types 47 and 58 alcohol licenses attached to the property. A Type 47 license allows a restaurant to serve wine, beer or liquor while a Type 58 license allows a caterer to do the same. The cost for the business, the license as well as any inventory associated with the operation of the license totaled $1.2 million.

Comstock said Lakeshore has the potential to become a destination much like The Pines Resort at Bass Lake.

“A lot of people in Fresno either worked there or met their spouses at one of the famous dances,” Comstock said.

In 2019, the owner/operators behind China Peak purchased Rancheria Enterprises, a marina at Huntington Lake.

Tim Cohee, managing partner for the group behind the ski resort as well as the marina, said bringing life back to the resort is good for everyone in the area.

Like many of the other mountain communities, residents have been beset by rising insurance costs, said Comstock. For that area, it was the Creek Fire, which increased insurance rates by nearly five times.

The Forest Service has also restricted greatly the amount of new housing allowed, said Comstock.

Comstock said he is eager for Lakeshore to reopen in an improved condition and regain its position as the center of Huntington Lake.