After his automotive novelty business was firmly established, Mel
created several other companies, owning twenty different companies
throughout the country while still in his twenties
In June 1974, Mel came to California to spend the summer, planning
to return to New York in September. Vacationing in Palm Springs
one weekend from Los Angeles, somebody drove him through the Inn.
He immediately fell in love with the property and within fifteen
minutes he decided to buy it.
At first, he wanted it for his home. "But then I was convinced
it should be a classic hotel and restaurant...an elegant oasis."
The Inn has a fascinating history; the past guest list reads like
a "Who's Who" of the world. Even Howard Hughes stayed
at the Inn several times. Haber spent some $500,000 restoring
this historical hotel and grounds and added his own restaurant,
Melvyn's.
From opening night in September 1975, the Ingleside Inn and Melvyn's
have been filled with Presidents, captains of industry, dignitaries
and Hollywood's brightest stars. Ingleside Inn has been named
one of the top dream resorts in the United States, and Melvyn's
was named "One of the Ten Best" by "Lifestyles
of the Rich and Famous" TV show twice.
Mel
Haber's charismatic personality and Ingleside's old world charm
have been a successful pairing since 1975. Haber was born and raised
in Brooklyn, New York, and began his professional life by entering
the Fashion Institute of Technology and Design. Working his way
through school, Mel was employed at various resorts in the Catskill
Mountains and sold women's shoes on New York's fashionable Fifth
Avenue. Mel's first business success was as president of Wallfrin
Industries, which manufactures automotive novelties. Wallfrin grew
to become one of the largest novelty manufacturers in the automotive
industry.
