Being Innkeepers...our Inn On Evans

Nearly 3 years ago to the day, John and I decided to become Innkeepers.  It wasn't a decision made lightly, it was in the 5 year plan.  A faulty water heater on the 2nd floor of The Market that burst a pipe and allowed thousands of gallons of water to flow overnight bumped up our timeline.  That being said, I've never regretted our decision.  We've met some very interesting folks, become masters of accommodation and really only had one "problem" that couldn't be resolved.  I have an appreciation of urban apartments and historic districts, so I never expect those places to be perfect.  Much like our place, they have their quirks.  I'm not going to make it sound like all roses and sunshine....it can be really hard work to find the right staff for cleaning, managing reservations, billing etc.  but the joy that comes from being a part of someone's wedding, family holidays and more is wonderful!     

Our upper floor consists of 3 studio apartments that we furnished and transitioned  for overnight guests.  We modeled these around apartments we've stayed in in Europe (but with cable, Wi-Fi and air :))  Guests are given the security code for the main entrance, a free parking spot and my cell number or they stop into The Market for a quick check-in.  There is no "front desk" but extra "everything you may need" is stashed in linen closets in each apartment. 

Our Inn is unique for extended stays as we kept all of the kitchens intact.  You can scramble a few local eggs and stash beverages in the fridge!  You can drink your coffee/tea from a real mug and eat with real silverware!  All at your cafe table overlooking our small, charming city! 

New this year is a bevy of services which is fun!  Need a Champagne candlelight dinner with a private chef?  Spa services?  Fresh flowers?  A decorated room for a birthday/anniversary/wedding party?  Private wine tasting or cooking class?  We can do all that and more!  Our great staff members at The Market are wearing a couple hats now and it's really exciting!

Here's a few photos taken at last week's Open House;

 
The Inn On Evans is a bit unusual as you are more independent versus a full service hotel.  Being located in a historic downtown does give you the advantage of walking to the local bakery, coffee shop, restaurants as they are all located within a couple blocks.  Tecumseh has also installed an outdoor Art Trail which is very cool.  We like this when traveling.  It gives us a sense of community versus off the beaten path locations.

Everyday we learn more about keeping an Inn and making it more enjoyable for our guests.  We try to make it comfortable and relaxing, a place that we'd like to stay.  Come stay with us! 

You can find more information and photos at www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3275742734433&id=1293391030&ref=notif&notif_t=feed_comment#!/pages/Inn-on-Evans/102696809562 

Another business...really?

I don't usually write too much about our business' as this blog is a more personal space for me.  However, this week brought a new business into our lives and I thought you might enjoy experiencing it from day one!
Shall we play a guessing game?  "NAME THAT BUSINESS!"  These photos will help!

And here are the companies that we currently own/operate;

This is The Boulevard Market in downtown Tecumseh.  We are a cheese shop that also sells lots of boutique wines and specialty foods. 
Our second floor was converted from studio apartments to overnight accommodations 2 years ago and goes by the name Inn On Evans.  I've had so much fun creating a European apartment feel and hosting guests from all over the world.  The Inn overlooks the downtown and is especially charming during the holidays and winter months when the city trees are bursting with white twinkle lights and the snow is gently falling.  Our building is the center of the downtown, so it's fantastic to be able to shop the boutiques, enjoy cafes and dining or just people watch from the upper floor!

Peppalo Stone Ground Chocolate is our most recent company, launched just this spring.  We create chocolate from the cacao bean to the finished bar, completely by hand.  Created in a 13-15th century Spanish style chocolate with a bit of sugary grittiness and rustic texture, our Peppalo bars are unique and delicious. 

Four Corners Creamery is our cheese making company with production at about 1000 lbs per week of both goat and cows milk cheeses.  We  frequent several Farmers Markets throughout our area and supply to many spectacular restaurants.  John currently makes about 9 different cheeses as well as kefir, butter (if cream is available) and Greek style yogurt. 

While seeing it all at once seems overwhelming, I love my life and welcome the challenges of business and food production!  I can't imagine being happier anywhere but here. 

My newest personal project is a self-published cookbook!  I'm plugging away at it and hopefully it will be finished soon!  I'm sure you'll be the first to know!

New Friends

Over a year ago, I was looking for a puppy and deciding which breed was right for me.  I ran across a blog written by Juli, from Los Angeles California.  Juli has 3 Pugs and I have since enjoyed communicating through our blogs (www.teapotsandpolkadots.blogspot.com ) about our dogs and life.  Juli has given me great advice for raising Pierre and  I have enjoyed seeing her slice of California life!

After posting pictures of Gina's graduation from the University of Michigan, Juli contacted me and revealed that her son would be a Freshman at Michigan this year and they would be coming to move him into the dorms!

We discussed the logistics and Juli's family decided to stay at our Inn On Evans above The Boulevard Market and we met them there on Sunday evening with Pierre.

I have to admit, this was a bit strange for me as I've never had an internet friend before and I wasn't sure what to expect.  Blogs are an interesting peek into someones life.

Juli was just as warm and friendly, chatty and personable as I expected!  We slipped into friendship as if we had known each other forever!  We were able to carve a bit of time out of preparing their son, David's, dorm room to go to Downtown Home and Garden (I thought Juli would love this place) and have supper together.

Juli and her husband Jeff, were so thoughtful to bring us a taste of their California, local cheese and goodies, and a gift for our Pierre....

The cheese was from "Andante" of Petaluma California and with a stellar reputation of which I had only read about, I was so excited to be able to have a piece of my own!  Simply Fabulous.  Their local "ThinKrisps" Savory Sage Parmesan...unbelievable.  Bacon Chocolate Chip Cookie...sinfully fantastic! 

I was absolutely enchanted by her selection of "sweaters" for Pierre, including a Los Angeles hoodie!  They are ridiculously cute and SO Juli! (I can't wait to return the favor..don'tcha think the Pugs would look amazing in maize and blue ;))    Each sweater is cuter than the last.  I need an extra set of hands to corral little Pierre into each and take photos.  I will be posting them soon!

      
 We had a lovely visit and it was time to say "good-bye", yet Juli is writing blog posts already and it's as if she is around the corner!     

FOOD SHOW; September 22, 2010

2nd Annual Food Show is here! September 22, 2010 6-9pm Open House style at The Boulevard Market

If you didn't make it to last year's Food Show, no worries...it's BACK! We came up with this idea last year to bring our customers and local producers together for an evening of sampling and discussing production of foods. It's designed much like the food shows we attend all over the country! I love the idea of bringing producers and buyers together to give each better understanding. Who better than to talk about passions and production, concerns and obstacles, sustainability and future, than the producer themselves?

We also open our upper floor, Inn On Evans, for the evening. Our importers fill it up with imported delicacies like cheese, olive oil, chocolate, wine and more! These folks are all experts in their own rights and know their producers and farmers too!

All this for the bargain price of $5 per person! You'll get a nifty list of all our producers and their goods that you sampled, for future reference too! Hope you can make it!