September 2, 2008 Owen Sound City Council, It has come to our attention that the historic Branningham Grove, formerly Louis Steakhouse and Owens Country Inn, is slated for demolition shortly. This information was gathered directly from a former owner of the property, a member of the Gavaris family. It is our understanding that the property was sold to a developer who plans to demolish this historic building imminently to build a strip mall. As the property never had a commercial real estate for sale sign on it, it was impossible for the citizens of Grey County to have any real awareness about its recent sale to a developer. If not for a personal meeting with a former owner with inside information, we would not have had this opportunity to voice our concern about the demolition of a building within our community with such important cultural and architectural significance. We hope that you will also see this as an opportunity to voice your concern. Branningham Grove was built as early as 1864 by Gentleman Homes, a remittance officer from England, who built the home as a replica of his family home in England. At the turn of the 20th century, the home was owned by Meg Matthews who ran the home as Owen Soundâ