The Orcas economy will see an upturn when Rosario Resort partially reopens for the summer season.

“I think it is important for people to know that Rosario opening for the summer means there is hope and there will be jobs and people visiting the island,” said Theron Soderlund, co-owner of Country Corner, which will run the grill and store at the resort this summer. “The closing of Rosario had a tremendous impact on all of us financially.”

Closed since October 2008, the resort will reopen this weekend under the ownership of Rosario Signal LLC, which purchased it at auction last fall.

The mansion will be open for public viewing and organ concerts and the grounds and facilities will be available for special events. Reservations are being accepted at the resort’s 38-slip marina, and the swimming pool, showers and fuel will be available to marina guests. The Cascade Bay Grill and Dockside General Store will be serving customers starting May 15.

A centennial celebration is being planned for the June 20 weekend in collaboration with the Orcas Island Historical Museum to mark the anniversary of the mansion built by former Seattle Mayor and Shipbuilder Robert Moran.

Christopher Peacock, Rosario general manager, says they may sponsor a historical homes tour as part of the celebration.

He says the owners want the centennial to be a “nice community event.”

The store and grill will hire up to 10 people and applications are being accepted at Country Corner. Soderlund says that most of the applicants so far have been former Rosario employees.

The grill will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. There will be coffee service, beer and wine by the glass, and a full line of convenience store items including groceries, knickknacks and souvenirs.

Soderlund says that the menu is still being decided but he expects that lunches will feature burgers and fries, fish and chips, clam strips, and similar items.

“We will kick it up a bunch for dinner,” Soderlund said. “There will be some indoor seating, but most of the seating will be outside. People like to be out on the deck in the summer.”

The Country Corner contract runs through Sept. 15, but Soderlund said they will be allowed to operate before and after those dates.

“We still have many things to get into place but we will be open no later than May 15,” he said. “We expect to have a wonderful relationship with Rosario.”

Weddings and receptions on the grounds, the Music Room and Discovery House events, will be available through Veronica San Martin and Tirzah Fiorito at Orcas Events, with limited accommodations available to groups only.

Transient accommodations will be available at Rosario’s former hillside condominiums, which are under separate ownership and management.

Peacock will celebrate an anniversary this May, his 29th year of employment at the resort. He has worked for all five of the resort’s owners and for the many management companies over the years.

He says that it has been a great opportunity for him as a musician and historian; the marketing and managing were just things he did over time out of necessity. There was a void, so he filled it.

“I look forward to one day seeing the resort finally fulfill its full potential both as a historical site and as a visitor destination, and we are working toward that goal.”

To that end, he is pleased that the new owners are taking the time they need to carefully plan the restoration and redevelopment of the resort. However, he is delighted that the Moran Mansion, marina and grounds will be greeting visitors during this centennial year.

“I am excited about the new owners and I think Orcas Islanders will enjoy them as they get to meet them,” Peacock said.