The Dublin Citizen (Dublin, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 28, 2001 Page: 17 of 32
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expect at a given property. The belief is that higher rank-
ings (up to five diamonds) attract more customers.
Advertising was another unanticipated expense. After
experimenting with several vehicles, they now consider
AAA publications to be an essential outlet, along with
regional lodging directories. Their evolving website,
wwui.orthbnb.com, also helps fill their two guestrooms and
suite. But they live by the credo of Jerry Evans, another local
innkeeper: "The best advertising is a satisfied customer."
“When we received our first repeat guests, we knew we
must be doing something right,” Lee says.
Their stay at the Orth House was a standout because the
Lewises were willing to talk and answer questions, say
recent guests Martin and Carol Devenir-Moore.
“Not every place is that friendly,’’ Carol says. She partic-
ularly enjoyed perusing a scrapbook compiled by the Lewis-
es detailing the home’s original inhabitants.
Such interaction with guests is essential to innkeep-
ing, Lee and Marilyn say. “You can’t just put the food on
the table and leave the room," Marilyn says. “You have
to enjoy people.”
Loving their new life
Typical Orth House guests range from "newlyweds
who can’t rub two nickels together,” to well-traveled
professionals. The Lewises, whose rates range from $95
to $225 per night depending on the season (AARP and
AAA discounts are available), adapt their services to
each guest, perhaps providing an early breakfast for the
businesswoman with a meeting in the next town, or
arranging a carriage ride and candlelit dinner for cou-
ples on a romantic getaway.
They also accept children, unlike many B&Bs which
cater to adults only. They made that decision in the same
manner they’ve made many others—on the spur. One
night, a couple showed up with three boys in tow. Instead
of sending away potential customers, they boarded the
family and had no problems.
“The parents are always more worried than we are,”
Marilyn says. “Sometimes you bend your rules, and if it
doesn’t work, you go back to square one," Lee says.
But they’ve rarely had trouble. “In 4 1/2 years, we've
never had an item missing," Lee says, gesturing to the many
figurines in cases and on dressers in the rooms. “It's interest-
ing and we’re glad we’ve done it.”
Now that they’ve been Jacksonville residents for more
than four years, neither can imagine moving away. Even
when they “age out” of the innkeeping business—"I don't
want to have to hobble out to greet guests,” Lee says, with
a laugh—they plan to buy a smaller house in the same area.
“We’ve found a home," Marilyn says. Lee agrees.
"We’ve met a lot of neat new people and gotten involved
in civic organizations and functions we were never involved
in before. Plus, everything's in walking distance; a block-
and-a-half to the bank, a block-and-a-half to the post
office, only five blocks to the grocery store.”
“We re not making big money," Marilyn says, confirm-
ing the statistic that few inns make large profits. “But
we’ve got a lifestyle that we like much better.” ^
Kara Carden is a frequent contributor to American Profile.
TO LEARN MORE:
AM (Me to North American Beit & Breakfasts, Country
Inns & Historical Lodgings
- *- American Hfeonc InnsBcd & Breakfasts
5 Tips to Simplify
Your Life as an Innkeeper
1. With food, “Keep H simple," Lee says. His
sister, a home economics teacher, advised them
to perfect a few recipes with universal appeal.
They chose an almond and cream cheese-stuffed
French toast and a make-ahead egg casserole.
They also provide fresh fruit, juice, and specialty
breads with every meal.
2. Relinquish the urge to live by a strict
schedule. “One thing I didn’t realize at first is
that your time isn’t really your own all the time,"
Marilyn says. People often show up unannounced
for tours, and customers want to check in early.
‘You gear to other people’s schedules instead of
your own,” she says. How to cope? “With a
smile," Lee says.
3. Be prepared to live on your savings at
times. “Some places have a winter draw, and
some places have a summer draw, but it’s very
hard to find a place that has both,” Lee says. Use
your down time to rest, make repairs, and travel.
4. Budget for a liability Insurance policy of at
least $I million. ‘You pray you never have to
use it, but it’s there in case somebody foils down
the stairs, or foils in the tub,” Lee says.
5. Know when to close the doors. The Lewises
recall hearing a former innkeeper say she knew
it was time to give up the B&B when she began
to dread phone calls. B&B operators typically last
seven or eight years before reaching the
inevitable burnout phase, according to the Pro-
fessional Association of Innkeepers International.
American Profile • Page 7
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Thetford, Caris. The Dublin Citizen (Dublin, Tex.), Vol. 11, No. 43, Ed. 1 Thursday, June 28, 2001, newspaper, June 28, 2001; Dublin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth770356/m1/17/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Dublin Public Library.